Urgent Action Required: Speak Out to Save this Parcel!

Letter to City of Poway Requesting Purchase of Dorothea Terrace Parcel

Dear PWP supporters,

Time is of the essence. We have just a few days left to take action before a critical property is sold, paving the way for the construction of a house atop Van Dam Peak open space.

I urge you to carefully read the attached letter to fully grasp the importance of this small yet invaluable parcel. Poway's open spaces are under threat of fragmentation, contrary to the Poway Subarea Habitat Conservation Plan's (PSHCP) mandate of preserving contiguous reserve areas.

As highlighted in the attached letter by Preserve Wild Poway (PWP), acquiring this specific type of property is not just a suggestion but a requirement outlined in the PSHCP. This serves as a quintessential example of how habitat loss due to development must be offset. The in-lieu fees paid by certain developments, unable to provide suitable mitigation land, are intended for the purchase of such properties. It is imperative that the City uses these funds to procure land that enhances existing reserve areas, ensuring a robust and sustainable habitat reserve in the long term.

Unfortunately, Poway has thus far declined negotiations for the acquisition of this ideal mitigation property. This refusal to mitigate for construction projects that have paid in-lieu fees is not only a violation of the Endangered Species Act but also disregards other habitat protection laws. This mechanism of mitigation through land acquisition forms the bedrock of the Habitat Conservation Plan and must be upheld.

I implore you to reach out to your City Councilman, the City Manager, the Planning department, and Poway's Mayor immediately! Emphasize that the failure to build Poway's habitat reserve and safeguard our open spaces is not just a legal transgression but also a matter that deeply concerns the citizens of Poway. Your voice matters, and it's crucial that the City leadership understands the gravity of this situation.

Please take a moment to email or call the City leadership and express your support for protecting Poway's open spaces and upholding the integrity of our conservation plans.

Thank you for your swift action in this urgent matter.

Please send your wishes to save this parcel as part of the open space reserve to:

Steve Vaus, Poway Mayor, SVaus@poway.org

Chris Hazeltine, Poway City Manager, CHazeltine@poway.org

Caylin Frank, Deputy Mayor, CFrank@poway.org

Brian Pepin, Council Member, BPepin@poway.org

Stand Donn, City Planner, Stan Donn, SDonn@poway.org