The San Diego County Board of Supervisors will cast a final vote Wednesday on the controversial Merriam Mountains project. If approved, the proposed housing development will put 2,700 new homes across from the Lawrence Welk Resort, along Interstate 15.
The plan was derailed in December after the supervisors voted 2-2. The split vote, in effect, killed the project since it failed to win a majority. Supervisor Ron Roberts was absent for the vote because of a prior commitment in Sacramento. However, he requested a re-hearing and now has the potential to be the tie-breaker and revive the project.
In the last hearing, Supervisors Bill Horn and Greg Cox voted for the development. Supervisors Dianne Jacob and Pam Slater-Price voted against it.
Opponents of the project argue there are unresolved problems of water shortages, fire risks and unmitigated construction noise and dust.
Supporters say the county needs to find places to house future population growth, and that new construction jobs would spur the local economy.
The development is the largest new housing proposal awaiting approval in San Diego County.
