The Santa Fe Valley Specific Plan Area (SPA) is located in northern San Diego County and is a part of the San Dieguito Community Planning Area.  The SPA encompasses approximately 3,160 acres of land west of Interstate 15, south of Del Dios Highway and north of Artesian Road.  The preparation of this Specific Plan was authorized by the County of San Diego Board of Supervisors on December 18, 1991.  This authorization was subsequent to the approval of the specific planning process for Santa Fe Valley, which was developed based on extensive discussions with property owners, the San Dieguito Planning Group, adjacent communities, interested organizations and individuals.  Several important factors played a role in the designation of this area as (21) SPA including: presence of environmental and visual resources, the proposed San Dieguito River Park, the area’s multiple land ownership patterns, the need for joint infrastructure, public services and facilities, encroaching urbanization to the east and south, and neighboring communities’ concerns for comprehensive planning, compatible land use and coordinated phasing of development.

This 3,160-acre Specific Plan consists of various land use designations, including approximately 1,400 acres of permanent open space (with over 1,000 acres within the San Dieguito River Park), 1,200 dwelling units at various densities, a resort hotel, two golf courses (an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus designed course and a 9-hole executive course), a neighborhood commercial center, a 250-room destination resort, a congregate care facility, and other public facilities, such as an elementary school, a fire station, and a neighborhood park.  The Specific Plan also identifies all necessary private and public vehicular and non vehicular circulation.

Shapouri & Associates was employed by the County of San Diego’s Department of Planning and Land Use to prepare the publicly initiated Santa Fe Valley Specific Plan.  The Specific Plan was completed in four phases.  Shapouri & Associates’ AICP Principal Planner, Mr. Ali Shapouri, was involved in all stages and aspects throughout the entire planning processes, commencing with the initial meeting of phase one held with the San Dieguito Planning Group on June 12, 1992. 

During phase one, Shapouri & Associates staff assisted in the review and discussions of the draft scope of work and potential issues.  On January 26, 1993, the project team, including Mr. Ali Shapouri, presented the existing conditions at a public workshop. Other attendees included the San Dieguito Planning Group, adjacent communities and Santa Fe Valley property owners.   

During the second phase, discussions were held with adjacent communities, property owners, the San Dieguito Planning Group and various governmental agencies and special districts in order to review and formulate land use, circulation and infrastructure alternatives.  In accordance with these discussions, Shapouri & Associates staff worked to complete two Specific Plan alternatives, which were presented at another public workshop on January 13, 1994. Subsequently, a Santa Fe Valley Subcommittee was formed to provide further input, which eventually led to the formulation of the “Preferred Specific Plan”. 

Phase three involved further refinement of the Preferred Specific Plan into a draft Specific Plan text.  Shapouri & Associates particularly played a significant role in this phase through composing several modifications and revisions to text, as well as creating necessary tables and graphics.  This phase also incorporated additional agencies, such as the California State Fish and Game Department and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, to ensure consistency within the plan. To conclude this phase, another public workshop was held to discuss the draft Specific Plan, as prepared by Shapouri & Associates, as well as the draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR).

The fourth phase was comprised of public review and public hearings.  During this phase, Shapouri & Associates assisted with the organization of documents and presentation of the draft Specific Plan to the Planning Commission, Board of Supervisors and members of the community.