More on the issue of ridgelines

July 16, 2026

Today I announced my intention to run for City Council District 3.  In my discussions with different people, one issue arose multiple times so allow me to address it.  I will do this throughout the campaign to generate more involvement and discussion. 

First issue.  Building on ridgelines.  The City has created multiple overlay’s to determine the requirements for building.  I understand the attraction for building on a ridgeline.  The view is beautiful but the people of Poway do not want to be seeing construction on those same ridgelines.  Poway's General Plan recognizes that our ridgelines and open hillsides define the character of our community. Those protections were put in place because residents wanted to preserve the natural beauty that makes Poway unique. As a Councilmember, I will work to ensure that development respects both the letter and the spirit of those policies.

Ridgeline Protection in Poway's General Plan

Poway's General Plan places a high priority on protecting ridgelines and hillsides as part of preserving the community's rural character, scenic beauty, and unique identity. While the General Plan does not prohibit all development on ridgelines, it distinguishes between different types of ridgelines and establishes policies intended to reduce the visual impact of development.

Prominent Ridgelines

The General Plan includes a Prominent Ridgeline (PR) Overlay, which is intended to protect ridgelines that have exceptional scenic value.

Development is generally not permitted on designated Prominent Ridgelines. The purpose of the overlay is to preserve the natural skyline and protect views that contribute to Poway's character as "The City in the Country."

Intermediate Ridgelines

Development may be allowed on other ridgelines, often referred to as intermediate ridgelines, provided it is designed to minimize its impact on the surrounding landscape.

The General Plan encourages development that:

• Preserves significant natural hillside landforms.

• Blends buildings into the natural terrain.

• Minimizes grading.

• Protects scenic views.

• Avoids placing structures where they break the ridgeline silhouette when viewed from public streets, parks, and other public vantage points.

Hillside Design

For projects located on hillsides or near ridgelines, the General Plan promotes design practices that reduce visual impacts, including:

• Stepping buildings with the natural slope.

• Limiting building height where appropriate.

• Reducing the amount of grading.

• Using earth-tone colors and natural landscaping.

• Preserving existing native vegetation whenever possible.

An Important Distinction

The General Plan establishes the City's long-term vision and policy direction. The actual approval of development projects occurs through zoning regulations, overlay districts, environmental review, and discretionary decisions made by the City Council and Planning Commission.

As a result, some projects have been approved on ridgelines because the City determined they complied with applicable development standards or were located on an intermediate ridgeline rather than within a designated Prominent Ridgeline Overlay. I do not agree with that.  If the project can be seen from below, it violates the intention of the policy.  My answer is simple. Just move it back.  The view will still be beautiful and the space between the ridgeline and the structure could become defensible space in the case of a fire.