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Poway Unified approves transfer of mitigation acreage for developer environmental credits
Summary
The board approved transferring a portion of nearly 95 acres of mitigation land acquired with Westview High School to a developer (transcribed as 'Doctor Horton') to allow the developer to meet environmental offset requirements; the district said the land can only be used for environmental offset purposes and fiscal impact depends on acreage transferred.
The Poway Unified School District board approved a mitigation credit transfer agreement on April 10 that will allow a private developer to purchase a portion of acreage the district holds for environmental mitigation.
Mr. Dill explained the district acquired land when Westview High School was built and currently holds just under 95 acres in the city of San Diego to satisfy environmental mitigation requirements. He said the district has satisfied its obligations and has remaining acreage the developer requested to purchase "so that they can meet some of their environmental requirements on another project they are doing in the city of San Diego."
"It is not uncommon ... there are environmental preserves that are set up for developers to purchase those lands, and they may own they are designated by the city ... that they can only be used to offset development in other parts of the city of San Diego," Mr. Dill said, adding that such land cannot be used for residential, commercial or industrial uses and retains its natural habitat.
Board member Mr. Chang asked whether the land sits within the district and whether it could be used for other purposes; Mr. Dill replied that he did not know the exact parcel location but said such preserved land is typically limited to environmental offset uses. The board then approved the transfer agreement in a motion by Mr. Chang and second by Ms. O'Connor Ratcliffe; the motion passed 6‑0. Mr. Dill said the fiscal impact would be a range of dollars tied to the acreage ultimately transferred.
Why it matters: The transaction moves district‑owned mitigation acreage back onto the market for environmental credits and will generate revenue tied to the acreage sold. The board emphasized limits on non‑environmental uses for that land and that the sale proceeds would vary depending on the final acreage transferred.
What’s next: The district will continue working with the city and the buyer to finalize acreage and fiscal terms and return any additional details to the board as agreements advance.
