California Chaparral Institute Joins Opposition to SHR
California Chaparral Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research and educational organization dedicated to the preservation and protection of native shrubland ecosystems. They are particularly concerned with the trend toward urban sprawl and leapfrog development in rural areas of the County. With regard to Safari Highlands Ranch, a major issue relates to the effect SHR’s approval will have on additional development beyond its borders. Once that first domino falls, the prospect of large-scale development coming to Rancho Guejito is an obvious concern. Guejito is last remaining in-tact Mexican land grant dating back to the mid-1800’s. Over the years, adjacent land was bought and added to Guejito which now spans nearly 22,000 acres/36 square miles – north of the San Diego Zoo Safari Park and east of the area being proposed for SHR. SPVPA shares these concerns regarding leapfrog development in the area and is pleased to have the California Chaparral Institute join in opposing large-scale urban sprawl projects like Safari Highlands Ranch.
