This may seem obvious, but I live and work Off the 56. As a local real estate agent, I am constantly running around the area checking out new and fun things to do in the community. I actually live in Torrey Highlands, which is pretty much right smack in the middle of the 56 freeway. Like most people, my family and I spend most of our time within a 5-10 miles radius of our house from Carmel Valley to Carmel Mountain.  I also like to keep up to date on projects or developments that may affect our quality of life. With that said, there are currently three projects in the works in Torrey Highlands & Rancho Penasquitos communities at various stages of development and I’d like to give you a quick update on all three. I know most of these projects have been quite controversial so I’d rather not get too much into what is right or wrong; rather I’d just like to pass on the information to you and you can use your best judgement:
- Merge 56 – This project has been approved unanimously by the PQ Planning Board as well as San Diego City Council. The project is located in Torrey Highlands on the south end of Camino Del Sur where the road dead-ends by the Circle K gas station and plans to begin construction this summer (2019). The project will consist of a retail village-style shopping center with restaurants, movie theatre, & fitness center. It will also consist of some office space as well as residential units including Single Family homes, condos and townhomes. This project will also connect Torrey Highlands to the Park Village neighborhood by extending Camino Del Sur through the canyon. Although the project has been greeted with mostly positive reviews from the community, the project will take away some of our beautiful canyons, which many of us use for mountain biking and hiking, not to mention the local wildlife. There is also a lawsuit against this project from a Labor Union. I’m told this will go to court in May and they are hopeful that it will get resolved. For more info check out the following link: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/politics/sd-me-merge56-story.html
- Meridian Del Mar Mesa (Kilroy) – This will be another office building complex similar to the Intuit building. It will also be located next to the Intuit building and will encompass approximately 20 acres of land. This has also been approved by San Diego City Council. This project will not begin building until they secure a tenant, which can take some time.
- The Preserve (Cisterra) – This project is also looking to build another office building adjacent to the Merge 56 project. The difference here is this land is designated Commercial Limited, which means it should only be used for Religious Facilities, Storage, or Agricultural type businesses. This project has been unanimously rejected by the PQ Planning Board and is now trying to go directly to San Diego City Council for approval. Cisterra is trying to change our community plan and has ignored our communities’ concerns. To learn more and help fight against this project please check out protectourpreserves.org.
I will continue to update you all on these developments as I learn more.
PQ Town Council has no purview on development projects. I believe you are referring to the PQ Community Planning Board which is a private citizen advisory board to the city’s Planning Commision.
Thanks Rod – And you are correct as I got the two mixed up. Thanks for the correction.
Bern,
Do you know who is building at the corner of Carmel Valley Rd. and Camino Del Sur? We were told that they think the land is owned by the Poway School District but have been unable to find out if this is true or what they are building. Do you know?
Hi Jim –
I am not sure but I can certainly try and find out. And sorry for the delay as I wasn’t getting notified when I got a new message.
Thanks for looking into this. We look forward to what you find out!
Thanks for looking into this. We look forward to what you find out!
Thank you for sharing these updates. What is the plan for the 15+ year old vacant lot next to the 56E Camino Del Sur off ramp? While they wait to secure a tenant and build, can the space be cleared and developed for a dog park?
Hi Michelle – I haven’t heard any exact plans for that space yet. I asked about it but nobody seemed to know. I’ll see what else I can find out
The PQ Town Council doesn’t approve or reject projects. You mean to say the PQ Planning Board. Those are two different entities.
Thanks Michelle – I’m actually changing it on the blog to the correct info
The Cisterra project is named the Preserve because it is adjacent to The Preserve. The land only stayed out of The Preserve because it was owned by the Catholic Church and the church was supposed to be a low profile land use…. not an office complex with a giant parking structure backed up to the protect habitat. This zoning change should not be allowed!!!!! The city council should not approve this project!
I agree, Diane!
Will Carmel Mountain Road connect to the new Merge 56 area?
Hi Kiran – Yes it would.
Any updates on this? Didn’t think the labor Union litigation would take this long.
It’s still not 100% but the developers are confident that they will begin grading 4th quarter of this year.
I should have an update sometime this month.
Hi,
Thanks for the detailed description Any idea on when will they reveal pricing for single family homes and delivery?I’m looking at pacific village by lennar also and potentially this property for purchase. Can you shed some light which property will be a better bet?
Hi Pankaj,
No word on pricing yet on these but I’m fairly certain that they will be more expensive then Pacific Village. And they will have Mello Roos unlike pacific village that won’t have any Mello Roos. Usually the farther west you go the more expensive it gets.
Are there any updates on approval? Has any of it been approved?
Hi Clemencia –
The Merge 56 has been approved for a while now while the Cisterra project was just approved by City Council last week. Hope that helps.