The unincorporated community of Harmony Grove in San Diego County has found itself at the center of a heated debate over a new development plan. Residents are increasingly concerned about the proposed Harmony Grove Village South project, which aims to add over 450 homes to the area. The apprehension is rooted in the region’s long history of devastating wildland fires and the severe deficiency of adequate evacuation routes.
Harmony Grove, along with its neighboring communities Elfin Forest and Eden Valley, is characterized by picturesque landscapes and tight-knit communities. However, these features, combined with its narrow roads and rugged terrain, pose significant challenges during emergencies. Since moving to Harmony Grove in 1995, former San Diego Police Department officer Kevin Barnard witnessed firsthand the destruction that wildfires have wrought, including the Cocos Fire in 2014 that razed more than 30 homes.
The development project has encountered strong opposition from locals, who argue it heightens the risk in an area already rated as a “very high fire severity zone.” The lack of viable evacuation routes is a significant concern. Renowned evacuation expert Dr. Tom Cova warns that evacuating the area during a fire could take over seven hours due to the increased number of homes and residents.
The 2018 approval of the project by the county Board of Supervisors was met with legal challenges. A deficient fire protection plan, which disregarded the need for a secondary evacuation route, was among the contentious points. Though the Elfin Forest/Harmony Grove Town Council initially won a lawsuit mandating the plan be brought up to standard, the decision was later overturned by an appellate judge. This move reignited fears among residents that the project could proceed without adequate safety measures.
Local governance and public safety have been the center stage of this ongoing struggle. Barnard, who recently joined the board of directors for the Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District, underscores the tension between ensuring public safety and succumbing to profit motives. His campaign emphasized the crucial need for governance focused on resident safety rather than revenue generation.
Despite these efforts, challenges remain. The developer, accused of trying to buy support for the project with a significant donation to a local fire district, highlights broader concerns about the influence of wealth and power in local governance. As the Board of Supervisors prepares to address the project on October 1, the outcome stands to reflect broader societal debates regarding governance, safety, and the influence of wealth.
This situation in Harmony Grove serves as a critical reminder of the delicate balance between development and safety, emphasizing the responsibility of local governments to prioritize the well-being of their communities amidst the pressures of economic expansion.