This petition comes from numerous Scripps Ranch residents who live in this wonderful community and those who moved here in the hopes of providing a better environment for themselves and their families. We have recently been made aware of a proposed project by San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD), in collaboration with Monarch builders, to construct a apartment complex at the 10380 Spring Canyon lot owned by SDUSD. 

The proposed building seems incredibly out of place. It will be a 4 story building with 264 units on a lot that is less than 300,000 sq ft lot. We believe this will have a devastating effect on our community and sincerely hope that the SDUSD Board will decide not to go forward with the project.

First off, this building will not fit in aesthetically. This neighborhood is comprised mostly of single family dwellings only one or two stories high and any commercial development, other than that directly beside the I-15 is also only one or two stories. This building simply does not fit in and does not belong in this sort of residential community.

Secondly, the introduction of 264 new units will create a nightmare in terms of traffic congestion on weekday mornings and evenings. The City has not plans to add bus service to Scripps Poway Parkway. It is already very difficult to get onto the I-15 in the morning commute. Traffic is already backed up and this new complex will only compound the problem and make it virtually impossible without extended waiting in traffic. A nightmare commute wastes time, creates frustration and increases pollution as cars sit idling in traffic. In light of current concerns about climate change, the creation of further congestion is something to be avoided in community planning.

Other major concerns are:

1. The impact the project will have on the surrounding park/recreational environment and availability. There are rabbits, squirrels and sometimes even deer at the Spring Canyon Park. Their habitat will come under threat with construction that is estimated to go on for two years or longer.

2. Uprooting the SR Farmers Market/Food Truck Thursdays thus eliminating the community tradition both have provided for our neighborhood. The farmer's market has been operating at Scripps Ranch for over 14 years. 

3. Uprooting the Innovations Academy charter school. The lot is also home to the Innovations Academy and many children will have to either move with it or will have to change schools. The director of the charter school is against this redevelopment plan and has not identified a replacement site for the school.

4. With 264 units there is sure to be increased child enrollment at Dingeman Elementary School, which is already far above capacity. The SDUSD severely underestimates the student generation from the proposed project. The intended residential unit will be primarily sought after by families wanting to send their kids to Dingeman, a highly ranked school. Similar structures near the school stand witness to this. SDUSD has no plans to increase the classrooms/teachers at Dingeman Elementary to address this issue.

5. There are sure to be complaints from new project residents about the ballpark night lighting. Could these complaints possibly shut down nighttime use of the ballparks?

6. In the case of evacuation, streets will be further clogged with additional vehicles. The 2007 vehicle evacuation at Scripps Ranch was nightmarish with vehicles on the roads at a stand still trying to leave.

7. Parking overflow of new residents and their guests in the shopping/recreational area parking lots as well as in surrounding residential neighborhoods.

8. Loss of overflow parking spaces that are currently used when ballgames are played at Spring Canyon Park.

SDUSD claims that some of the apartments would be offered to teachers at a reduced rate, but fair housing laws prevent designating the apartments for any specific group of tenants.

As Scripps Ranch residents, we believe the school district should consider where the project is being planned and, understanding that the land is public property, should utilize the site for something that would truly benefit the surrounding community. The school district should strive to be a good neighbor to current homeowners and understand the proposed project would not fit within this community

Our neighborhood simply cannot to handle this type of development. It will forever negatively change our neighborhood. Please urge the SDUSD Board to vote "no" on going forward with this development and find a better way to meet its financial concerns. Please help STOP this misguided project that provides no value to the Scripps Ranch community.