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Planning DepartmentAdopted March 11, 2014Amended XX XX

OTAY MESA COMMUNITY PLANAmendmentDate Approved byPlanningCommissionResolutionNumberDate Adopted byCity CouncilResolution NumberMarch 11, 2014R-308810Otay Mesa Community PlanAdopted.February 13, 2014Corrections to the Land UseMap and Text of the OtayMesa Community Plan andrezoning certain parcels inthe Otay Mesa CommunityApril 30, 2015R-4685June 2, 2015R-309773Added current vernal poolmapping and reference to theVernal Pool HabitatConservation Plan (VPHCP)XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Land Use Element1 to provide further guidance to determine consistencywith City policies.POLICIES AND RECOMMENDATIONS2.1-1 Require Specific Plans and any required rezoningfor the Southwest and Central Village Areas to beconsistent with the policies of this plan.2.1-2 Achieve sustainable and efficient land use patternswithcomprehensiveneighborhoodandcommunity village development through SpecificPlans that:a. Respect the natural topography and sensitivehabitat areas with growth patterns thatbalance development with preservation ofnatural resources.b. Provide a land use map that illustrates thedetailed land use designations, including anylands set aside for resource conservation,consistent with the MSCP Subarea Plan and anyfuture Vernal Pool Habitat Conservation Plan(VPHCP). The specific plan land use map willrefine the Otay Mesa Community Plan Land UseMap (Figure 2-1) as part of the specific planapproval process.c. Illustrate the complete circulation system that,where possible, follows a grid pattern, andindicate how the system will relate to theoverall Otay Mesa circulation system.Otay Mesa Community Pland. Strive for block sizes along local and collectorstreets to have a maximum perimeter of 1,800feet.e. Illustrate a separate system of pedestrian andbicycle facilities and pathways linking theactivity centers with the residential areas,public facilities, and open space systems.f.Distribute parks comprehensively throughoutthe village area. Refer to Policy 7.1-7 of theRecreationElementforfurtherrecommendations.1. Link parks to one another with pathways toincrease connectivity and enhance sense ofcommunity.Separate Pedestrian System2. Locate neighborhood parks at the end ofstreets and adjacent to canyons, whenLU-14

Conservation ElementMultiple Species Conservation ProgramVernal Pools Habitat Conservation Plan (VPHCP)The Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP) is along-term habitat conservation planning program forsouthwestern San Diego County. The Multi-HabitatPlanning Area (MHPA) is the planned habitat preserve.The MHPA was incorporated into the Otay MesaCommunity Plan through a 1997 plan amendmentwhich identified approximately 2,500 acres in thecommunity as MHPA open space (see Figure 8-3). TheOtay Mesa areas of the MHPA consists primarily of slopes,mesas with vernal pool resources and/or restorablehabitat, and wide, deep canyons draining the vastmesas into the Otay River Valley or towards Mexico,with one linkage connecting south to north across OtayMesa Road.Vernal pools are highly specialized habitats that supportbiologically sensitive species (Figure 8-4). They areimportant environmental resources that occur on mesaslocated in Otay Mesa. Management of these resourcesis governed by City, State and Federal policies andregulations. The Otay Mesa Community Plan isconsistent with these policies, guidelines and regulations.Within Otay Mesa, the MSCP envisions “a network ofopen and relatively undisturbed canyons containing afull ensemble of native species which provide functionalwildlife habitat and movement capability.” The MSCPincludes Specific Management Directives for the OtayMesa Area. These directives, along with the Generaland Community Plan policies and recommendations, areaimed at carrying out this vision and include measuresto protect sensitive species, limit access into thecanyons, and to provide restoration. Species protectedin the Otay Mesa MSCP area are identified in Table 8-1.Otay Mesa Community PlanTable 8-1Otay Mesa Protected SpeciesPlantsCalifornia orcutt grassCoast barrel cactusOtay Mesa mintOtay tarplantOrcutt’s bird’s beakOrcutt’s brodiaeaSpreading navarretiaSan Diego goldenstarSan Diego thorn-mintSmall-leaved roseSnake chollaVariegated dudleyaSan Diego buttonceleryAnimalsBurrowing owlCalifornia gnatcatcherCactus wrenCooper’s hawkGolden eagleNorthern harrierOrange-throated whiptailPeregrine falconRiverside fairy shrimpSan Diego fairy shrimpSan Diego horned lizardCE-6

Conservation ElementAs of 2011, the City of San Diego is engaged in theprocess of preparing a Vernal Pool Habitat ConservationPlan (HCP). The HCP is a comprehensive planningapproach to preserve vernal pool species and theirhabitat within Otay Mesa and the City as a whole. TheHCP will create a new vernal pool boundary andupdated conditions of coverage for several protectedspecies. The OMCP may require an amendmentfollowing adoption of the vernal pool HCP in order toprovide consistency between the land use plan andhabitat conservation plan.The City of San Diego has prepared a Vernal Pool HabitatConservation Plan (VPHCP). The purpose of the VPHCP isto provide an effective framework to protect, enhance,and restore vernal pool resources within the City’sjurisdiction, while improving and streamlining theenvironmental and permitting process for impacts tothreatened and endangered species associated withvernal pools. The VPHCP is a comprehensive planningapproach to preserve vernal pool species and theirhabitat within Otay Mesa and the City as a whole andcovers the following species which occur in Otay Mesa:Otay mesa mint (Pogagyne nudisculai), Spreadingnavarretia (Navarretia fossalis), San Diego button celery(Eryngium aristulatum var. parishii), California Orcutt ranchinectra sandiegonensis). The VPHCP expandedthe MHPA to include mesa top areas with vernal poolresources and/or restorable vernal pool lands (see Figure8-3).Otay Mesa Community PlanBurrowing OwlBurrowing Owls (Athene cuniculari) are long-legged, grounddwelling birds that inhabit Otay Mesa. Otay Mesa is one of thefew areas in San Diego County where a population of breedingburrowing owl remain. Anecdotal information and limited surveyssuggest that burrowing owls are declining in San Diego County,with the highest remaining density of birds in Otay Mesa. Thispopulation may include at most 20 to 30 pairs of owls.Typical burrowing owl habitat is flat, open terrain with soft soil,short grass, sparsely distributed vegetation, or exposed ground.The owls will occupy burrows created by other rodents, but canalso inhabit artificial burrows, such as cement culverts, cement,asphalt, or wood debris piles; or openings beneath cement orasphalt pavement.CE-7

Conservation ElementEducationWhile the community plan, implementing zoning, MSCP,and other regulations provide the legal framework foropen space protections, the residents of Otay Mesa willalso play an important role in determining the ultimatesuccess of preservation and restoration programs. Manyof the protected canyon areas form the boundaries ofresidential neighborhoods.MSCP Implementation8.1-4 Implement the V P H C P a n d MSCP ManagementPolicies and Directives for Otay Mesa through theproject review process.POLICIES AND RECOMMENDATIONS8.1-5 Implement City regulations and Biology management and monitoring of biologicalresources.Environmentally Sensitive Lands8.1-68.1-1 Implement the Environmentally Sensitive LandsRegulations related to biological resources andsteep hillsides for all new development.8.1-2Implement the VPHCP and Area SpecificManagement Directives and Conditions ofCoverage as stated in Appendix A Table 35 of the MSCP Subarea Plan for Speciesprotected in Otay Mesa and identified in Table 81.Preserve a network of open and relativelyundisturbed canyons and adjacent mesa topscontaining a full ensemble of native species andprovidingfunctionalwildlifehabitat andmovement capability.8.1-3 Plan development to minimize grading and relateto the topography and natural features of OtayMesa.Otay Mesa Community PlanCE-9

Conservation ElementVernal Pools8.1-7 Require preservation, restoration, management,and monitoring within identified vernal poolpreservation areas in accordance with the VPHCPand City, state, and federal policies andregulations. The VPCHP identifies mesa top areaswithin the MHPA for vernal pool conservation (seeFigure 8-3). If conservation and/or vernal poolmitigation occurs outside the MHPA, t heboundaries of vernal pool preserve areas shouldbe of sufficient size and shape to protect thevernal pool basins, watersheds, functional buffers,and areas necessary to maintain vernal poolecosystem function and species viability.a. Design, as feasible, the preserve areas toprovide connectivity between vernal pools,surrounding open space, and nearby vernalpool complexes.b. Conduct management and monitoring ofpreserved and restored vernal pool sites inaccordance with the VPHCP and citywideregulations and Biology Guidelines.neighborhood awareness of the open space preserveareas with environmental education programs throughlocal schools, Homeowner’s Associations(HOAs),community groups, and8.1-8 Amend the Otay Mesa Community Plan as neededfor consistency with an adopted Vernal PoolHabitat Conservation Plan (HCP).Education8.1-9 Foster local stewardship and develop positiveOtay Mesa Community PlanCE-11

BRANDYWINE AVAVMELROSEAVERNDEAOLMAIN STTAALCHULA VISTARDRDALTAOCEANVPALM (SB) AVIEWHILLSPYY VAOTALLEYRD(s&%DEL SOL BLBOLLBROWN FIELDANOCESDELSHILLPYLA MEDIA RDBEYER BLBRITANNIA BLCACTUS RDOTAYMESARDHòACACTUS RDVIEWäAHHòASIEMPRE VIVA RDSIEMPRE VIVA RDEASTCAM DE LA PLAZABEYEROtay MesaPort of EntryBL "!M E X I COLegendAEROPUERTO DE TIJUANAOTAY MESA ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE LANDS - Figure 8-2Multi-Habitat Planning Area (MHPA)Steep Slopes (25% or steeper)Expanded MHPA AreasPlanning AreaDRAFT01,0002,0004,000Feet THIS MAP IS PROVIDED WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND,EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO,THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS,FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Copyright SanGIS. All Rights Reserved.This product may contain information from the SANDAG Regional InformationSystem which cannot be reproduced without written permission of SANDAG.This product may contain information which has been reproduced withpermission granted by Thomas Bros. Maps.Path: L:\GIS\PGIS\Community Planning\Otay Mesa\ADOPTED PLAN 2014\AMENDMENTS\VPHCP Apr2016\Fig 8 2 OtayMesa EnvironmentallySensitiveLands.mxdDate: 5/13/2016

BRANDYWINE AVOLEANDER AVMELROSE AVMAIN STCHULA VISTARDALTAOCEANVPALM (SB) AVIEWHILLSPYY VAOTALLEYRD(s&%DEL SOL BLBOLLBROWN FIELDANOCESDELSHILLPYLA MEDIA RDBEYER BLBRITANNIA BLCACTUS RDOTAYMESARDHòACACTUS RDVIEWäAHHòASIEMPRE VIVA RDSIEMPRE VIVA RDEASTCAM DE LA PLAZABEYEROtay MesaPort of EntryBL "!M E X I COLegendOTAY MESA MHPA/Open Space - Figure 8-3AEROPUERTO DE TIJUANADRAFT01,0002,0004,000FeetMulti-Habitat Planning Area (MHPA)Expanded MHPA AreasPlanning AreaPlanned Open Space THIS MAP IS PROVIDED WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND,EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO,THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS,FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Copyright SanGIS. All Rights Reserved.This product may contain information from the SANDAG Regional InformationSystem which cannot be reproduced without written permission of SANDAG.This product may contain information which has been reproduced withpermission granted by Thomas Bros. Maps.Path: L:\GIS\PGIS\Community Planning\Otay Mesa\ADOPTED PLAN 2014\AMENDMENTS\VPHCP Apr2016\Fig 8 3 OtayMesa MHPA OpenSpace.mxdDate: 5/13/2016