Item 8 - Additional Materials posted 12-02-25 — Poway City Council, December 2, 2025

M EM ORAN DLJ M City of Pow ay

ADDITIONAL MATERIALS
(Agenda Related Writings/Documents provided to City Council or Staff after distribution of the Agenda Packet for the December 2, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting) DATE:

TO:

FROM:

CONTACT:

SUBJECT:

December 2, 2025
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
Carrie Gallagher, City Clerk ~
(858) 668-4535 or [email protected]
Item 8 - Hillside Ridgeline Review Update
Attached please find correspondence received after the agenda posting deadline.

Reviewed/Approved By:

Assistant City Manager
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Reviewed By:

Alan Fenstermacher
City Attorney
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City Manager
December 2, 2025, Item #8
From: [email protected]
To: Steve Vaus; Peter De Hoff
Subject: Ridgeline Development
Date: Friday, November 28, 2025 3:59:49 PM
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EXTERNAL EMAIL
Dear Mayor Vaus and Council Member De Hoff

I am writing regarding the upcoming topic for discussion on approval of “ridgeline development”.

I encourage you to vote for council discussion and decision making before approving development of the hills surrounding Poway. What may on paper seem a “minor” change, may have a major impact on our community.

I have lived in Poway since 2001, but my grandparents are from Ramona and I spent much of my youth in this area, riding horses, growing vegetables and flowers, going to the local dairy and chicken farms and shopping at produce stands.

I consider myself lucky to live in Poway.

Our roads are decent; I see trees being trimmed before storms to lessen the likelihood of someone being injured; a street sweeper regularly comes by my neighborhood in Bridlewood Americana.

I think we have
good leadership (especially now with Mr. Blain out of the picture); safe neighborhoods; caring communities; good schools; an awesome Farmer’s Market; and wonderful trails to hike, run and ride horses.

Development on our ridgelines will negatively impact this benefit of Poway.

It is a fire risk, may be a flood/landslide risk during heavy rains.

Habitat for animals (coyotes, foxes, bobcats, mountain lions, frogs, lizards, and many bird species to name a few) will be disturbed.

The
lights will also change the ambiance of Poway, in addition to affecting wildlife.

Developers have ruined San Diego, my childhood home. Please allow the Council to make reasoned decisions regarding development of our precious ridgelines and hills that make Poway our “greatest city in the country.”
Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Laura Alcorn
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December 2, 2025, Item #8
15816 Summer Sage Road
Poway, CA
92064
619 248 1590

[email protected].
3 of 64
December 2, 2025, Item #8
From: ljarnold
To: Steve Vaus; Chris Pikus; Jenny Maeda; Peter De Hoff; City Clerk Subject: Ridgeline review discussion item
Date: Monday, December 1, 2025 8:28:35 AM
Attachments: Ridgeline photos rev..ppt
Ridgeline issue 11-30-25rev.docx
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EXTERNAL EMAIL
Dear City Council Members and City Staff:

I plan to talk at the City Council meeting this coming Tuesday related to Poway ridge- line review. Please see attached letter and Power Point. It would be great if staff could be prepared to show my Power Point when I talk.

Best Regards,
Lyle Arnold, Ph.D.
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December 2, 2025, Item #8
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Dear Councilmen and Poway City Staff,

I am writing this letter regarding the ridgeline review item that is coming up on Tuesday, December 2nd at the city council meeting.

My family and I have lived in Poway for more than 35 years. We love living here and were drawn to the area by its good schools and the “city in the country atmosphere”.

We acquired property on Boulder Mountain, just north of Twin Peaks in 1989. At the time, our property was under ridge line review. We were limited to a height of 18 feet and our project went through review and approval by the city council. We further minimized the visual impact of our house by building it in and around boulders on our property, and at the same time, stuccoed it to match the surrounding boulders.

When we moved in, there was nothing to the east of us other than Poway High School, and nothing to south of us on the ridgelines flanking Twin Peaks.

We very much appreciated Poway’s interest in preserving the ridgelines to the benefit of the natural habitat, ambiance, and views. All of this changed when an enormous two- story house was built in 2018 on a prominent ridgeline to the south of us.

Over time the impact of this two-story residence has intensified. Additional building has taken place, including a huge, illuminated, entry monument. At this point it has more than 30 high intensity landscape lights, as well as a series of lights that illuminate the residence on the outside, causing it to take on the appearance of a lighted car dealership. Recently, other lights have been added that transition from red, to blue, to green. (Please see attached Power Point Presentation.)

Separately, multiple neighbors have raised their displeasure with the impact of this house on their views, and especially the night-time lighting and the huge entry monument which lights up with intense blue lights whenever someone arrives.

Beyond the lighting impact, I am struck by how extensively the residence’s 3.14 acres has been disturbed. Previously the property was completely undisturbed native habitat.

Based on Google Earth, approximately 88% (2.75 acres) of the 3.14 acres’ native habitat has been eliminated. I had understood that only 35% of properties lying within the Poway Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) could be disturbed. I had also understood that for still larger properties, only two acres could be disturbed as of the 1996 date of the 5 of 64
December 2, 2025, Item #8
HCP. (This is what we were told when we investigated adding an ADU on our property.) The 3.14 acres exceeds the level of disturbance permitted regardless of property size.

This, of course, is another issue.

Still further, this property has fully enclosed solid walls that completely disrupt any wildlife from accessing or crossing the property.

More recently another two-story house has been built on the same ridgeline, two houses to the west. It has been stuccoed bright white and is highly visible from the east and especially the west. Beyond the immediate neighbors, these houses are seen prominently by hundreds of homes to the south in Poway and to the west in Rancho Bernardo, impacting their earlier serene views of Twin Peaks.

It should be further pointed out that both of these houses are part of the previous Williams Ranch. According to the historical CC&Rs for Williams Ranch, homes were to be limited to single story. Clearly, the approval of these homes as two story were exceptions granted by the City.

Additionally, these properties fall fully within the Poway Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) of 1996 and which extends until 2046. They also both fall within the most sensitive area within that plan.

With these kind of ridgeline disturbances, Poway is strongly deviating from its earlier mandate to preserve its ridge-lines. We ask that the City return to a goal of protecting our ridgelines with more oversight and control by the city council. At the same time, we ask that something be done concerning the excessive night-time lighting at house 1.

Best Regards,
Lyle Arnold, Ph.D.
[email protected]

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December 2, 2025, Item #8
House 1 with Twin Peaks to the Left
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Night view of House 1 from our Property
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Night view of House 1 from Summit Circle
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Night view of House 1 from Summit Circle
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Night view of House 1 from Summit Circle
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Night view of House 1 from RB Highschool
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View of House 2 from Northeast
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December 2, 2025, Item #8
From: Debra Askeland
To: Steve Vaus; Chris Pikus; Jenny Maeda; Peter De Hoff; City Clerk Subject: Agenda Item #8 – Restore City Council Authority Over Hillside Ridgeline Review Date: Saturday, November 29, 2025 4:27:03 PM
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EXTERNAL EMAIL
Dear Mayor Vaus and Poway City Council Members,
I urge you to restore City Council authority over hillside ridgeline review. Poway’s scenic hillsides are vital to its identity, natural beauty, and wildlife habitat. I am concerned about disappearing skylines and the effects on ecosystems. Public participation is crucial.

The General Plan states, "Prominent ridgelines and hilltops shall not be built upon." Preserving these features protects property values, wildlife, native plants, reduces fire and landslide risks, and limits light pollution.

I support City Council—not staff—approval for all single-family homes in the ridgeline review area, including those with prior visual impact analyses. This ensures transparency, public oversight, and community input.

Please protect the landscapes that make Poway unique.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Debra Askeland
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December 2, 2025, Item #8
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From: Ron Askeland
To: Steve Vaus; Chris Pikus; Jenny Maeda; Peter De Hoff; City Clerk Subject: Agenda Item #8 – Restore City Council Authority Over Hillside Ridgeline Review Date: Saturday, November 29, 2025 4:21:34 PM
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EXTERNAL EMAIL
Dear Mayor Vaus and Poway City Council Members,
I am writing to urge you to restore City Council authority over hillside ridgeline review.

Our scenic ridgelines and hillsides are central to Poway’s identity, natural beauty, and wildlife habitat. I am increasingly concerned about the loss of our skyline and the impacts on local ecosystems. Public involvement in these decisions is essential.

Our general Plan states "Prominent ridgelines and hilltops shall not be built upon." We need to preserve Poway’s scenic character and property values, protect wildlife habitat and native plants, reduce wildfire dangers and landslide risks, and limit light pollution and protect our night skies.

I support the City Council approval (not staff approval) of all single-family homes within the ridgeline review area, including those with previously approved visual impact analyses. This option provides transparency, restores public oversight, and ensures the community has a voice in decisions that shape Poway’s future.

Please act to protect the landscapes that define “The City in the Country.” Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Dr. Ronald Askeland
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December 2, 2025, Item #8
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From: Marianna Benedict Bacilla
To: City Clerk; Jenny Maeda; Peter De Hoff; Steve Vaus; Chris Pikus Subject: Item #8 Ridgeline Review
Date: Monday, December 1, 2025 11:45:26 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL
Honorable Mayor Vaus and Councilmembers,

I am writing in support of returning approval of projects in the hillside/ridgeline review area in Poway to the City Council. Each review should include sufficient public notice.

I would like to see a formal evaluation of how this review is performed. It should include a visual/photographic study, along with a Dark Skies lighting study from no less than five unique vantage points throughout the city.

Thank you,
Marianna Bacilla
12747 Tustin Street
Poway, CA 92064
--
Marianna Benedict Bacilla
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December 2, 2025, Item #8
From: [email protected]
To: Steve Vaus; Chris Pikus; Jenny Maeda; Peter De Hoff; City Clerk Subject: Agenda Item #8 - Restore City Council Authority Over Hillside Ridgeline Review Date: Sunday, November 30, 2025 6:58:53 PM
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EXTERNAL EMAIL
To: Mayor Vaus, Poway City Council

Subject: Agenda Item #8 – Restore City Council Authority Over Hillside Ridgeline Review

Please consider restoring council approval for ridgeline development. I believe there is a need for greater transparency in ridgeline development as it affects the “city in the country” culture appreciate by us and our Poway neighbors. It also provides the wildlife corridors important to many of our native species.

I understand that this adds more work to the council’s activities but believe it is worth the effort to make sure that our city preserves its unique appeal.

Best Regards
Bob Boeller
15125 Vali Hai Road
Poway, CA

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December 2, 2025, Item #8
From: J Boyce
To: City Clerk; Jenny Maeda; Peter De Hoff; Steve Vaus; Chris Pikus Subject: RE item #8
Date: Monday, December 1, 2025 6:37:50 AM
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EXTERNAL EMAIL
To Whom It May Concern,
Please require council approval for any ridgeline/hillside areas.

Thank you,
Jennifer Boyce
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December 2, 2025, Item #8
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From: Mike Carr
Subject: URGENT: Please Strengthen Poway’s Ridgeline Protections on December 2nd Date: Monday, December 1, 2025 7:54:05 AM
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EXTERNAL EMAIL
Dear Mayor and Members of the Poway City Council,
I am writing to urge you to take back approval authority for ridgeline and hillside development and to strengthen Poway’s existing ridgeline protections. With the December 2nd agenda item on hillside and ridgeline review procedures, this is a critical moment for preserving the character, safety, and natural beauty of our community.

Right now, staff can approve ridgeline development projects without any public notice or input—including deciding that impacts are “less than significant.” This means major decisions affecting views, habitat, wildfire safety, and long-term environmental health are happening quietly, without residents even knowing they occurred.

If the Council restores approval authority to the elected body, residents will once again receive public notification through the Council’s agenda when ridgeline proposals come forward. It is not a perfect solution, but it is far better than the current process, which bypasses community involvement entirely.

Ridgeline protections matter deeply to Poway residents:
* Our General Plan clearly states: “Prominent ridgelines and hilltops shall not be built upon.”
* Preserving ridgelines protects scenic character and property values. * It safeguards wildlife habitat and native plant communities. * It reduces wildfire dangers and landslide risks inherent to steep-slope development.
* It minimizes light pollution, helping preserve Poway’s treasured night skies.

These policies are foundational to Poway’s identity as the “City in the Country.” Weakening them—or allowing ridge development without transparency—puts that identity at risk.

I respectfully ask that you vote to restore City Council oversight, ensure public notice for all future ridgeline proposals, and take all possible steps to protect and strengthen Poway’s established ridgeline and hillside policies.

Thank you for your service to our community and for considering this important issue. Poway’s natural environment is one of its greatest assets, and your leadership will determine whether it is preserved for future generations.

Respectfully,
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December 2, 2025, Item #8
Mike Carr
12360 Meadowbrook Ln
Poway, CA 92064
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December 2, 2025, Item #8
From: Nick Carruthers
To: Steve Vaus; Peter De Hoff; Jenny Maeda; Chris Pikus; Carrie Gallagher Subject: Hillside Ridgeline Review Agenda Item #8, 12-2-25 Date: Saturday, November 29, 2025 10:34:52 PM

EXTERNAL EMAIL
To: Mayor Vaus and Members of the Poway City Council
Subject: Agenda Item #8 – Restore City Council Authority Over Hillside Ridgeline
Review
Dear Mayor Vaus and Council Members,
Unfortunately, I am unable to attend next Tuesday’s council meeting where I would have liked to add my support for the restoration of council authority over hillside and ridgeline reviews for all single-family home construction/developments.

Over the last several years construction on ridgelines in Poway has afforded some notable eyesores which I brought to the council’s attention on September 16th which I will not restate here. However, I believe it is incumbent on the city council
to guarantee the preservation of sensitive areas and maintain their environmental integrity by ensuring stricter oversight of development projects. Ideally natural features, wildlife
habitats and sensitive ecosystems, protected by state and federal environmental laws, should be conserved. Avoiding ridge line building will also prevent “visual scarring” of the natural landscape.

Consequently, it is essential for the City Council
to have final approval and to
guarantee that any development aligns closely with community standards, the General Plan, and provide critical opportunities for citizens to participate in the process.

Public involvement in these decisions is essential.

Sincerely, Nick Carruthers
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December 2, 2025, Item #8
From: chris cruse
To: City Clerk; Jenny Maeda; Chris Pikus; Peter De Hoff; Steve Vaus Subject: Item #8
Date: Monday, December 1, 2025 10:08:49 AM

EXTERNAL EMAIL
Mayor and Councilmembers,
Forty-five years go, I never envisioned that I would be asking the council to let the public have a say about hillside/ridgeline developments.

Keeping the ridgelines in their natural state was such a huge part of the “city in the country” identity back in 1980, and undeveloped ridgelines was the #1 thing people mentioned when asked what “rural”
meant to them during public meetings before the General plan update in 1991.

I don’t know that the public sentiment has changed, but in 2012, John Mullin proposed staff approve projects subject to a hillside/ridgeline review. The stated purpose of having staff approve developments in the hillside/ridgeline areas was to “streamline” the development process.

But I have a growing perception that the real reason was to get around the General Plan, and our other laws, without having to deal with any pushback from unhappy residents.

As former councilmember
Caylin Frank said during the (leaked) closed session, it was better to approve LifeTime Fitness before people moved into The Farm and could yell at the council.

I listened to the council meeting when the house on lot #10 on Boulder Mtn.
ridgeline was approved. Staff ticked off all of the General Plan rules, including that the building was not supposed to rise above the landform. Yet, staff recommended approval of removing the covenant restriction to 1 story, and approval to build a 35 ft structure on 20 ft of fill that did indeed rise above the landform. Staff claimed that the structure would have a significant visual impact, but that impact could be mitigated to “less than significant” by painting it in muted colors.

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Staff recommended approval for all of 3 houses that sit on the ridgeline of Boulder Mtn. based on their assertion that the visual impact could be mitigated by painting them in muted colors. In fact, all 3 of the houses are visually prominent, especially the two 2-story houses, which can be seen from miles.

And there was no course correction by staff
after #8 was built and proved that their assertion was false.

The fact that council also approved the houses on the ridgeline doesn’t negate the need for these approvals to be an open process where the public has a say about whether the visual impact seems insignificant or not, and where the public can hold the council accountable for their actions.

The Amazon building was administratively approved by Bob Manis, behind closed doors, without any public notice. Council did “touch the process” and approve a rezone after the building was approved, but oddly, there was no picture of the Amazon building in the agenda report for that rezone.

When the Amazon building popped, I immediately emailed Bob Manis, and asked him to send me a copy of his hillside/ridgeline review. He replied that there was no hillside/ridgeline review.

According to the
SPSP, the open space that surrounds the industrial park is a “VISUAL BUFFER” between the residential areas of Poway and the industrial park. When the industrial park was approved, the city manager promised residents that we would not see the buildings from the valley.

That is why the industrial park parcels are required to have a hillside/ridgeline review- to insure that we would not see those buildings.

Staff now claims that because a more recent council
increased the height limit from 35 ft to 45 ft, the Amazon building was compliant with all requirements. I strongly disagree that upping the height limit negates the requirement to do a hillside/ridgeline review and make sure the buildings are not seen beyond that visual buffer area.

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I think the best 45th birthday gift this council could give to the people who live in this city, is a commitment to greater transparency, and to public involvement in the decision-making process. Bring the hillside/ridgeline reviews back before council for approval, and let the community have a voice in the discussion about what is or isn’t significant to them.

Sincerely,
Chris Cruse

24 of 64
December 2, 2025, Item #8
From: Debora Daley
To: City Clerk
Subject: Agenda Item #8
Date: Friday, November 28, 2025 5:58:52 PM
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EXTERNAL EMAIL
Date: November 28, 2025
To: Mayor Vaus and Members of the Poway City Council
Subject: Agenda Item #8 – Restore City Council Authority Over Hillside Ridgeline Review Dear Mayor Vaus and Council Members,
I am writing to urge you to restore and strengthen Poway’s ridgeline protections. Our scenic ridgelines and hillsides are central to Poway’s identity, natural beauty, and wildlife habitat. I am increasingly concerned about the loss of our skyline and the impacts on local ecosystems. Public involvement in these decisions is essential.

Why ridgeline protections matter to residents:

Our general Plan says "Prominent ridgelines and hilltops shall not be built upon." Preserve Poway’s scenic character and property values
Protect wildlife habitat and native plants
Reduce wildfire dangers and landslide risks
Limit light pollution and protect our night skies
I support the City Council—not staff—approves all single-family homes within the ridgeline review area, including those with previously approved visual impact analyses. This option provides transparency, restores public oversight, and ensures the community has a voice in decisions that shape Poway’s future.

Please act to protect the landscapes that define “The City in the Country.” Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
William and Debora Daley
12211 Sage View Road, Poway, CA
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From: Lisa Dumolt
To: City Clerk
Cc: Peter De Hoff
Subject: Council Meeting Agenda Item #8 – Return ridgeline review authority to City Council Date: Sunday, November 30, 2025 3:41:01 PM
Attachments: Ridgeline Letter Dumolt.docx
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EXTERNAL EMAIL
Hello City Clerk and Council Member DeHoff:

Attached please find my letter regarding Agenda Item #8 scheduled for the Dec 2, 2025, City Council meeting.

Thank you,
Lisa DuMolt
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December 2, 2025
To: The Honorable Members of the Poway City Council
ATTN: Council Member DeHoff

Subject: Agenda Item #8 – Rescind Measure 13-001 and Reinstate Hilltop and Ridgeline Protection Resolution 85-019 for City Council Approval and Resident Oversight Dear Mayor, Council Member DeHoff and other Councilmembers:

I am writing to ask you to enact stronger protections regarding development in open space, rural areas, land containing endangered habitat and species and land deemed critical for wildlife. I am concerned that the current municipal codes are not specific enough, e.g. clarification on what is a “prominent ridgeline” and lead to a loose interpretation of and enforcement of the Habitat Conservation Plan. A good starting point would be to rescind measure 13-001 and reinstating resolution 85-091.

It is my experience, that when discussing Poway with other San Diego residents, 2 topics routinely come up, #1, our highly rated school district, #2, the open space we enjoy in and surrounding our City. Please rescind measure 13-001 and reinstate resolution 85-019.

Thank you for your time and consideration of this important issue.

Sincerely,
Lisa Dumolt
13436 Scots Way, Poway
[email protected]

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December 2, 2025, Item #8
From: Lori Grennan
To: City Clerk
Subject: RE: Public Record – December 2, 2025 City Council Meeting – Agenda Item #8 Ridgeline Protections Date: Monday, December 1, 2025 11:54:03 AM
Attachments: Agenda #8- Ridgeline Protections.pdf
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EXTERNAL EMAIL
Dear City Clerk,
Please find attached eleven resident letters from Poway residents regarding Agenda Item #8 – Ridgeline Protections for the December 2, 2025 City Council meeting.

I respectfully request that these letters be included in the public record and distributed to the City Council as part of the agenda materials.

Thank you very much for your assistance.

Sincerely,
Lori Grennan
[email protected]
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Date:

To: Mayor Vaus and Members of the Poway City Council
Subject: Restore Resolution 85-019 for Ridgeline Protections Dear Mayor Vaus and Council Members,
I urge you to restore Resolution 85-019 to protect Poway's ridgelines and open spaces.

These hillsides are central to our city's identity, natural beauty, and wildlife habitat. Since protections were removed in 2013, residents have grown increasingly concerned about the loss of our scenic skyline and the impact on local ecosystems.