Supervisor Washington, I am signing this petition to ask you to please vote NO on allowing a vital part of Temecula Wine Country to become a housing subdivision that burdens tax payers and our environment.

The Temecula Wine Country Plan modified the County’s General Plan in 2014 after 10 years of tireless work by Senator Jeff Stone and community visionaries representing all sectors of Temecula Wine Country. The Plan was designed to ensure the long-term viability and unique character of the Southern California Wine Country experience.

Seven months AFTER the Wine Country Plan was passed, a developer requested a variance (GPA 1202) to flip this 50-acre legacy Wine Country vineyard into an “estate homes” housing tract with 50% vineyards, as well as roads, bridges, driveways, septic systems, etc. The image above shows that most of the land around this property, in the heart of Temecula Wine Country, is planted in vines or citrus. Likewise, this property should remain part of the Winery District and not be rezoned Residential as requested by the developer. A similar exception has NEVER been approved. Approval would serve to create a dangerous precedent and a pathway for others to seek to subdivide precious vineyard acreage into housing tracts in the future.

Residential projects are net losers for tax payers and disproportionately drain County resources since the cost of additional County services, such as fire, police, schools, roads, etc., exceeds tax revenues. The owners have development options within the current zone that would bring them a steady stream of revenue and a net tax gain for the County.

Ecologically sensitive, federally protected Wetlands are on the property. There are no plans to protect this vibrant resource in perpetuity. The project would also divert visitors onto wine country back roads never intended for tourist traffic.

Supervisor Washington, this risky zoning exception is inconsistent with the Wine Country Plan and must be stopped. Let's preserve Wine Country and protect our environment. Please vote NO on this proposal.