PROJECT AT FORMER BOWLING ALLEY SITE APPROVED

The sites of the Poway Fun Bowl and Carriage Center will become a new mixed-use project following approval from the Poway City Council last week.

The council, minus Deputy Mayor Caylin Frank who was absent, unanimously approved the resolution for Fairfield Residential to develop the two properties, 12845 to 12941 Poway Road.

The mixed-use project will consist of 212 multifamily residential condominium units, 11,364 square feet of commercial space and 9,955 square feet of quasi-public open space that includes an area for children to play. There is also parking and landscape improvements to the Big ‘O’ Tires at 12947 Poway Road and a new intersection at Poway Road and Carriage Heights Way.

Several members of the public spoke in favor of the project, citing the need for more housing in Poway and the project meeting the standards of the Poway Road Specific Plan.

The Poway Road Specific Plan was adopted in December 2017 to encourage redevelopment of the Poway Road corridor, with the goal of creating an “economically vibrant, family oriented, social and cultural center” that includes shopping and dining experiences, lively activities and a variety of housing options.

Some homeowners of the residential streets south of the project expressed concerns about privacy from the three- and four-story apartment buildings, as well as traffic and parking. According to residents, those in the third-story apartments will be able to see clearly into the backyards and windows along Ilene Street.

Several council members praised Fairfield Residential and Ed Mccoy, senior vice president of Fairfield Residential, for working with feedback on the project and the flexibility displayed by the developers.

Councilman John Mullin said Fairfield Residential has done an admirable job addressing issues raised during the plan development process. He called the project wellconceived, well-executed and conforming to the PRSP.

Councilman Barry Leonard said it is exciting to see the project happen and it will be a thing to be proud of on Poway Road. He also cited comments about the need for housing in Poway and said this project will help fill that need.

“There’s no perfect project,” Leonard said. “But with a capable developer and a Poway guy like Ed Mccoy, I’m looking forward to supporting the project.”

Councilman Dave Grosch said he still would like to see more parking, but acknowledged the project meets the PRSP’S requirement. He also said he would like to see more commercial space, but with COVID-19 perhaps it made more sense. Grosch added he appreciated the project has fewer apartments and fewer bedrooms now.

Grosch said he thinks Fairfield Residential has tried to help the neighbors living south of the project, including stepping down the ends of one apartment building from four to three stories, having no balconies for apartments on the south side and building an 8-foot wall plus adding trees to help obscure sightlines.

“I’m really happy,” Grosch said. “We’re losing a bowling alley, but we’re gaining a very pretty area.”

Mayor Steve Vaus said the project will be a wonderful addition to Poway Road that people will look on and be proud.

According to Mccoy, construction on the project will not begin until later in 2021.

The council also approved receiving an additional allocation of $246,166 in Community Development Block Grant funds from the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency. This grant will be used to continue to fund Jewish Family Services of San Diego, which is providing drive-thru food distribution events for seniors in Poway.

Food distribution events are held from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesdays at the Poway Senior Center, 16315 Pomerado Road.