M EMQRAN DLJ M CityofPoway ADDITIONAL MATERIALS (Agenda Related Writings/Documents provided to City Council or Staff after distribution of the Agenda Packet for the January 20, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting) DATE: TO: FROM: CONTACT: SUBJECT: January 20, 2026 Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council Carrie Gallagher, City Clerk ~ (858) 668-4535 or [email protected] Item 5 -General Plan Amendment 25-0001 and Zone Change 25-0001: a Request to Change the General Plan Land Use Designation and Zoning Classification of Parcels, or Portions Thereof, to the Open Space-Resource Management or Natural Open Space Zoning Designation at Various Locations Citywide and Determine the Project is Categorically Exempt from CEQA Attached please find correspondence received after the agenda posting deadline. Reviewed/Approved By: Assistant City Manager Reviewed By: Alan Fenstermacher City Attorney Ap~roved By: Ch~ City Manager ~ 1 of 4January 20, 2026, Item #5
From: To: Subject: Date: Attachments: Jeffrey Schmidt Carrie Gallagher; Ci!v....C!fil!s Agenda item 5 for Jan 20 city council meeting Monday, January 19, 2026 1:28:41 PM Preserve Wild Poway and the Sierra Club today acknowledged the City of Poway letter version v2.docx EXTl;lt A -MAil Carrie Please see my letter (attached) to be added to the City Council agenda item #5 for tomorrow's meeting. Thank you. Jeffrey W. Schmidt President/CEO, Preserve Wild Poway Jeffrey. w.sch m [email protected] Phone: 858-692-7664 2 of 4January 20, 2026, Item #5
Jan. 19,2026 Jeff Schmidt Preserve Wild Poway 13712 Tobiasson Road Poway, CA 92064 By Email: Carrie Gallagher, City Clerk, [email protected] CC: Chris Hazeltine, Poway City Manager, [email protected] Julie Procopio, Director of Development Services, [email protected] Regarding: City Council Meeting Jan. 20, 2026, agenda item 5. General Plan Amendment 25-0001 and Zone Change 25-0001 Preserve Wild Poway acknowledges the City of Poway's decision to initiate a rezoning of City-owned conservation property from residential to OS-RM (Open Space-Resource Management)-a change that aligns with the protections sought in the organizations' ongoing lawsuit. The rezoning was a central request in the legal action filed to ensure that land acquired by the City for conservation purposes is permanently protected from future development. While the City has not admitted wrongdoing and litigation remains ongoing, the Poway Subarea HCP requires the City to re-zone lands acquired for conservation on an annual basis. This requirement has been ignored for years. The decision to finally comply with this requirement represents a significant step toward safeguarding Poway's open spaces. This is exactly one outcome that Preserve Wild Poway and the Sierra Club has been calling for. Land purchased for conservation should be protected as conservation land in perpetuity. Rezoning it to OS-RM ensures that promise is reflected not just in words, but in law." The lawsuit, brought by Preserve Wild Poway and the Sierra Club, challenged the City's decision to retain residential zoning on property purchased with the stated intent of preservation. Advocates warned that leaving residential zoning in place created uncertainty and risk for future development inconsistent with conservation goals. The City's action demonstrates the power of community advocacy. This rezoning aligns land-use policy with environmental stewardship and public trust. Preserve Wild Poway emphasizes that while this action marks meaningful progress, continued vigilance is necessary to ensure long-term protection of Poway's natural lands and full compliance with environmental and planning laws. This is a positive step forward and we look forward to further improvements in the implementation of Poway's Subarea Habitat Conservation Plan. 3 of 4January 20, 2026, Item #5
Jeffrey W. Schmidt CEO/Preserve Wild Poway Ph: 858-692-7664 [email protected] 4 of 4January 20, 2026, Item #5