December
2001
Prepared
by
Linda Hamilton and Kathy
Pickard
County
of San Diego General Plan 2020
The
community of Elfin Forest is situated in two intersecting
valleys, one running north-south, and the other running
east-west. The
community is bordered by Escondido to the east, San Marcos
to the north, Encinitas to the west and Olivenhain and
Rancho Santa Fe to the south.
Both valleys are cradled in dramatic brush-covered
hills and granite formations. Although physically close to
urban areas, the valleys are isolated by the topography of
the surrounding hills, and the community is rural in
character. The
area is home to a diverse population of native plants and
animals, including deer, coyotes, bobcats, red fox, golden
eagles, hawks and other raptors, Bells vireos, gnat
catchers, ravens and numerous rare and endangered plant
species.
The first
inhabitants of the Elfin Forest/Harmony Grove area were
Indians. There
is evidence that ancestors of the Northern Diegueno Indians
lived in the Harmony Grove area. The environs of Harmony
Grove area were used for meetings of many different tribes.
It was considered their Peace Grounds.
There are many pictographs, petroglyphs and artifacts
intact in the area. Before the turn of the century, the
Butterfield Stage Coach Company used Harmony Grove Road as
part of its route from Escondido to San Diego.
A man named Parkrider had a store near the junction
of Harmony Grove and Elfin Forest Roads.
The road was paved in the late 1950’s and only a
few worn adobe bricks near the entrance to the former Elfin
Forest Vacation Ranch remain.
Founded in
1940, Questhaven Retreat on Questhaven Road is not only a
religious retreat, but a nature sanctuary. In the 1940’s a
fire burned a portion of Questhaven Retreat.
The founders, Flower and Lawrence Newhouse, invited
the Director the Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens to help
plan for its replanting.
In assessing the growth there, he described the
characteristic growth of the area “elfin Forest”, a name
describing a number of dwarf trees and shrubs mingled
together to form a particular variety of chaparral.
This combination is found in only three locations in
Southern California, he said, and the specimens at
Questhaven were among the finest he’d ever seen. The
Newhouses began referring to their retreat as being in the
“Elfin Forest Canyon.”
The
area’s beauty, year-round stream and shade trees, led Dr.
Harvey Urban, Jack Donnelley, and George Dew to buy 20 acres
at the junction of what is now Harmony Grove and Elfin
Forest Roads in 1959. They
built a house and a dam to create a lake and began adding
spaces for trailers, campers and mobile homes.
They provided boating, fishing, movies and square
dancing. Many
old time north county residents still ask about the “Elfin
Forest Vacation Ranch” and remember it as a favorite
family recreation area.
The area around it became popularly known as Elfin
Forest.
Until 1977,
our community was sparsely developed.
We now have approximately 350 homes.
As the area has developed, so has its community
spirit. A
volunteer fire department formed in1972 is a vital part of
the community today.
The Town
Council was formed in 1980 to ensure the proper use of the
Elfin Forest area and is dedicated to the continuing rural
atmosphere of Elfin Forest. Monthly meetings attract an
average of 60 attendees, and the town council’s monthly
newsletter has a paid subscriber base of nearly 200. The
community has a website, www.efhgtc.org.
Elfin Forest is a unique community of people with common
goals; to live in a rural environment in harmony with
nature, protecting and enjoying the natural beauty of the
area and knowing and helping their neighbors.
The
Community of Elfin Forest represents an area that is
primarily made up of single-family homes and equestrian
ranches on large estate lots ranging from 2 to 10+ acres.
Homes and ranches have been nestled into the hills
keeping ridgelines and slopes intact to preserve the natural
topography of the area and to help preserve wildlife and
native plant species. There
are several agricultural businesses in the form of
nurseries, flower growers, and a seed production farm that
support a rural flavor. Private equestrian trails extend
throughout the Elfin Forest community.
Split rail fences, native trees and a staging area
near the fire station lend community character and beauty to
these trails.
Open space,
dark nighttime skies, low traffic volume and access to the
abundant wildlife through protected nature trails are valued
by Elfin Forest residents.
There are no street lights, lighted signs or traffic
signals. In
addition to the physical attributes of the community, there
is a community spirit of “Neighbors Helping Neighbors”. Examples of this are the EFHG Volunteer
Fire Department and Fire Auxiliary, the EFHG Town Council,
The Escondido Creek Conservancy, the Elfin Forest
Foundation, the Garden Club, the neighborhood Block
Captains, EFHG Playgroup, and the EFHG Trails Committee.
Community events such as the EFHG Town Council Fourth
of July Picnic and Parade Fundraiser, the Annual EFHG
Pancake Breakfast, and the EFHG Fire Auxiliary Chili Cook
Off, promote and preserve the unity and focus of Elfin
Forest residents.
This area
is rural and equestrian in nature. It is extremely peaceful,
quiet and generally remains in its natural state.
The dark night sky is an important aesthetic
resource. The
most scenic views in Elfin Forest are of the hills, valleys
and riparian habitat. These
visual qualities shall be preserved.
The area shall remain non-industrial and low-density
to preserve its rural character.
The “grassroots” community spirit shall be
maintained through careful development of the remaining
parcels into residences similar in character to the existing
ranches and custom homes which promotes unity and a “know
your neighbors” environment.
All
existing properties in the Elfin Forest community are 2
acres minimum and have septic systems for sewage management.
All future property development shall be a 2 acre minimum
and on septic systems.
The Trails
Committee will continue to work within the community to
develop more private trails and to maintain them in keeping
with the guidelines they have set up.
Any and all new land development shall include,
within its boundaries, equestrian trails that will connect
to the Regional trails at the Elfin Forest Reserve.
The Elfin
Forest Reserve and its Regional Trails will be connected to
the Elfin Forest area.
Our EFHG
Fire Department shall continue to be a major force in our
community, protecting us, uniting us and leading us into a
safer future.
The
protection of open space in order to preserve biological
species native to the EFHG shall continue to be of the
highest priority. Wildlife
corridors shall be included in all future land development.
These corridors shall remain pristine; i.e., without
footpaths or trails of any kind.
There shall
be no subdivisions or cluster developments within the
boundaries of Elfin Forest because they are out of character
with the existing community.
Ridgelines
shall be protected from grading in order to maintain the
natural terrain for the preservation of microclimates,
wildlife protection and a rural atmosphere.
Our vision
is to re-classify Elfin Forest Road and Harmony Grove Road
to the status of a two-lane Scenic Highway in order to
preserve the rural lifestyle, protect the Oak Groves along
the Escondido Creek, and to leave this dramatic and scenic
roadway for posterity.
The land
use element identifies the proposed general distribution and
intensity of uses of the land for housing, business,
industry, open space, and other categories of public and
private uses.
Large
lot (2-10+ acres) rural residential and agricultural uses.
Dedicated open space, established equestrian and
hiking trails, 2 equestrian staging areas, unspoiled views,
preserved creeks and valleys, wildlife corridors, riparian
areas and the Elfin Forest Reserve.
The following do not exist now and shall not exist in
the future: commercial development; streetlights, traffic
lights, curbs, sidewalks, extractive land uses, commercial
or non-agricultural industry.
Goals:
A rural residential lifestyle built in a fashion that
is compatible with and sensitive to its natural setting;
unspoiled views of intact hills, ridgelines, valleys, and
creeks; protection and preservation of pristine areas;
watershed; mature native trees; dedicated open spaces and
the purchase of additional open space. Addition of more
private equestrian and hiking trails, connecting to other
established trails. Minimal
number of roads, since driving through Elfin Forest is not a
short cut to anywhere. Minimizing traffic through the
community will help maintain the air quality and reduce
impacts to wildlife and sensitive species of all kinds.
Policies:
Lot sizes shall be 2 acres or more and be zoned for
residential horse keeping.
There shall be no high-density housing of any kind
including cluster developments or subdivisions. An
open-space greenbelt style buffer shall be maintained
between urban areas and the rural community to preserve the
character of the unincorporated community.
Trail systems that connect to regional trail systems
and wildlife corridors shall be required as a condition of
land development. All or any mitigation land shall be
purchased within the community of Elfin Forest.
Goals:
Dark nighttime sky; open access community design that
fosters a feeling of “one-neighborhood” in a rural,
equestrian and agricultural setting. Open space and wildlife
preservation shall remain a vital part of the residential
community.
Policies:
All homes shall be custom and maintain the rural
character of the community in their design.
Space shall be allowed for the keeping of equestrian
animals. The main floor or living floor area shall not be
less than 2,000 square feet or more than 8,000 square feet
nor shall there be any building more than 2 stories high. All outbuildings shall be built in the
same style as the home.
Commercial
There is no
existing commercial development or use in Elfin Forest nor
shall there be any commercial uses or developments in Elfin
Forest.
There is no
existing industrial use in Elfin Forest nor shall there be
any industrial use in Elfin Forest.
See CSA
107. Detailed discussion and conditions for this specific
plan are located within the specific plan itself.
There
are 2 main roadways in Elfin Forest: Elfin Forest Road runs
east and west toward La Costa. Harmony Grove Road runs north
and south toward Escondido. All roads in Elfin Forest that connect to
these two main roads are private.
Goals:
Quiet residential streets and main roads safe for
pedestrian, bicycle, and equestrian use. Work toward
designating Elfin Forest Road and Harmony Grove Road to
“Scenic Highways”.
Policies:
Continue to work with the CHP and Sheriff to enforce
existing speed limits of 50mph on Elfin Forest Road and
25-45mph as posted on Harmony Grove Road.
Continue to request enforcement of the existing
weight limit of 7 tons.
There shall be truck traffic only for local
deliveries. There shall be no parking on roadways. Road
Network
The
Housing Element identifies and analyzes existing and
projected housing needs and includes goals and policies,
quantified objectives, and scheduled programs for the
preservation, improvement, and the development of housing.
The housing element must address the housing needs of
all economic segments of the community.
One and two
story-single family residences on 2+ acre lots; residential
horse keeping on large parcels.
All homes are custom.
There are no cluster developments or subdivisions.
There shall
be only custom homes of one or two stories. This will help
maintain the rural character and continue the “Know Your
Neighbor” commitment which is historically part of the
fabric of this community.
All outbuildings shall be built in the
same style and the existing home.
The main floor or living floor area shall not be less
than 2,000 square feet or more than 8,000 square feet.
Residential lighting shall preserve dark nighttime skies,
there shall be no street lighting or lighted signage.
Space shall be allowed for the keeping of equestrian
animals.
The
Conservation/Open Space Element addresses the
identification, conservation, development, and use of
natural resources including water, forests, soils,
waterways, wildlife, and mineral deposits, as well as the
comprehensive and long-range preservation of
‘open-space’ land.
The area
falls within the San Diego Air Basin and is located in an
area of high air pollution potential.
The topography is characterized by open valley floors
associated with Escondido Creek surrounded by gently to
steeply sloping hills and by sharp granite escarpments.
A significant portion of the valleys, hills and
ridgelines are in their natural condition, providing natural
open space and scenic vistas. Habitats include: sensitive riparian
wetlands, oak woodlands, native grasslands, chaparral and
coastal sage scrub. The Escondido Creek wildlife corridor is
home to a plethora of rare, sensitive, threatened and
endangered plant and animal species.
Elfin Forest is home to 800+ acres of dedicated open
space.
Goals:
The sensitive habitats, riparian wetlands, wildlife
corridors, valleys, hills, ridgelines, native grasslands,
chaparral and coastal scrub described above, shall be
protected and preserved.
Dedicated open space shall continue to be purchased
and maintained. Pristine;
i.e., no human intrusion, areas for wildlife shall be set
aside.
In order to
preserve open space in Elfin Forest, any building which
requires mitigation lands shall purchase them within the
boundaries of CSA 107.Water Resources
Existing
Conditions: A
rural residential and agricultural community with natural
creeks and riparian areas preserved.
The principal water supplier for this area is the
Olivenhain Municipal Water District.
There are two private water companies in operation
from wells, some northern properties are served by the
Vallecitos Water District.
The area contains many water storage tanks and the
Olivenhain Municipal Water District and the County Water
Authority are currently working on the Emergency Water
Storage Project at Mt. Israel Dam.
Goals:
To preserve and maintain existing natural sources of
water and their surrounding environments.
To continue to work with the water districts involved
to mitigate any and all water construction projects that may
impact this area. To
keep all water storage tanks off of ridgelines and out of
view.
Policies:
Escondido Creek shall be preserved in its natural
state. Any
residential
Development
shall be adequately separated and buffered from the Creek. Development
plans shall be shall be integrated with the native habitat
in such a way as to preserve vast amounts of open space and
continuous wildlife corridors.
Existing
Conditions:
Dedicated open space preserves of coast live oak riparian
forests, oak woodland chaparral, native grasslands and
coastal scrub.
Goals:
To preserve and protect the existing conditions
mentioned above and to
increase
the number of acres of dedicated open space with forested
area through grants, donations and private endowments.
Policies:
Potential
land shall be integrated into the community plan.
Preservation of open space banks of native habitat is
a key element of this plan.
Developers shall mitigate for damages by purchasing
open space within the boundaries of the CSA 107 and in
conjunction with the local preservation groups.
Existing
Conditions: Native soil and topography moderately
interspersed with low impact residential and agricultural
uses.
Goals:
The existing conditions mentioned above
shall be preserved and maintained.
Policies:
All development shall be consistent with the
community plan and shall minimally impact soil resources.
Ridgelines shall remain in tact as well as the
topography wherever possible.
Existing
Conditions: The
Escondido Creek and the surrounding open space in Elfin
Forest is home to many unique and endangered species.
This watershed area is an invaluable resource
deserving protection. This watershed accomodates a variety of
natural habitats, including riparian wetlands, oak
woodlands, native grasslands, chaparral, and coastal scrub.
The upland areas support many rare plants species
such as wart-stemmed ceanothus, summer holly, mesa club
moss, and California adolphia.
Expanses of coastal sage scrub provide refuge for
threatened California gnatcatchers, San Diego horned lizards
and orange-throated whiptail lizards.
Sticky dudleya and sea dahlia grace the rocky cliffs
above the creek while marsh elder and Orcutt’s brodiaea
can be found along its sandy banks.
Great blue herons, mountain lions, coyotes, mule
deer, bobcats, fox, roadrunners, owls, hawks, turkey
vultures, and golden eagles all play a part in this delicate
ecosystem.
Goals:
To protect, preserve and restore natural resources
and open spaces within the Escondido Creek watershed and the
Elfin Forest Community.
A habitat management plan shall be prepared that
defines management activities and responsibilities for all
designated open space lands and sensitive habitat.
Policies:
Any developments will be in compliance with MSCP,
MHCP (Multiple Species Conservation Plan).
Development shall comply with the community
development plan wherein large banks of open space including
ridgelines are preserved in their natural habitat.
Multiple species habitat shall comply with the county
wildlife corridor. Pristine
dedicated open space with no trails or human intrusion shall
be set aside. The riparian continuous corridor shall be
preserved and protected.
Runoff of any kind into the stream shall be abated.
Any land developers are required to mitigate loss of
habitat and impact to a critical population of sensitive
species by purchasing mitigation land in the CSA 107 to be
enjoyed as open space for all in conjunction with local land
and public trusts. Sensitive habitat shall be preserved
through designation as open space and through dedication of
open space easements prior to development.
Existing
Conditions:
Currently there are no active extractive permits or
operations in Elfin Forest.
Policies:
There shall be no active extractive permits granted
in the Elfin Forest Community.
Existing
Conditions:
Significant agricultural resources including, seed farms,
citrus and avocado groves, nurseries, flower growers and
deciduous fruit growing operations exist and uphold the
rural community character.
Policies:
Agricultural resources shall be preserved and
protected in accordance with the community plan.
Existing
Conditions: A
clean safe community with fresh air to breathe.
Policies:
Land developers shall not conflict or
obstruct the implementation of the San Diego Regional Air
Quality Strategies:
·
Do
not violate any air quality standard or contribute
substantially to an existing or projected air quality
violation;
·
Require
that the study of the cumulative traffic effects of any
proposed development
not exceed any of the following daily emissions at a
minimum:
*
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
550lbs./day
*
Reactive Organic Gasses (ROG)
55lbs./day
*
Oxides of Nitrogen (Nox)
55lbs./day
*
Fine Particulate Matter (PM10)
150lbs./day
Do
not expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant
concentrations;
Do not create
objectionable odors affecting a substantial number of people.
Existing
Conditions: A
community of significant prehistoric and historic cultural
resources. Prehistoric
resources include petroglyphs, pictographs,some habitation
sites, bedrock milling sites, a lithic scatter and a private
artifact collection. This
area may have housed the prehistoric village of Japatul.
Luiseno and Diegueno occupation is evident.
In addition, there are several buildings that appear
on the 1889/1891 Luis Rey 15’ topographic map, some of
these are still standing.
The remains of an adobe structure stand near Country
Club Drive and Cordrey Drive.
Harmony
Grove Spiritualist Association and its many associated
buildings and residences stand at the heart of Harmony
Grove. This
association was formed
in the late 1800’s and is a cultural historic
resource. The Questhaven Retreat is a 60-yeaer old religious
retreat which annually attracts visitors from around the
world.
Policies:
Any and all development shall incorporate
the prehistoric and historic rural theme of this community.
These cultural resources are valued by our community; they
remind the residents of the continuity of the past and the
present and provide a valuable and educational and societal
resource. These
resources shall
be preserved.
Existing
Conditions: A
community with dark, open nighttime skies.
Policies:
Any and all development shall conform to
preserving dark nighttime
skies. Residential
lighting shall remain limited, there shall be no street
lighting or
lighted signage.
Existing
Conditions: A
rural and residential community with enough power to meet
the needs of its residents.
Policies:
Elfin Forest shall not be overbuilt with
respect to the amount of power
required
to fuel existing development.
Existing
Conditions: Elfin
Forest Road and Harmony Grove Road are the only improved
roads into and out of the community.
These roads are narrow, two
lane roads without shoulders or off road parking.
The
view from these roads in some areas is extremely
picturesque, with native live oaks forming canopies over the
road making it a beautiful scenic drive.
Harmony
Grove Road has many curves with rocks cut on one side and
Escondido Creek (Impact Sensitive LU 24) and rugged
mountains lining the other.
These dramatic area will be the perfect area for a
California Scenic Highway.
Goals:
Continue the process of making Elfin Forest Road and
Harmony Grove Road
California Scenic Highways.
Policies:
Protect, preserve and maintain the rural and dramatic
roadways in Elfin by
making them California Scenic Highways to be enjoyed by
future generations. future
development shall not increase the cumulative traffic level
and overall quality of life of the community.
The Safety
Element establishes policies and programs to protect the
community from risks associated with seismic, geologic,
flood and wildfire hazards.
Elfin
Forest/Harmony Grove Volunteer Fire Department
(EFHGFD)
provides emergency medical and fire fighting service;
California Highway Patrol (CHP) provides traffic control and
the San Diego Sheriff’s Department provides local law
enforcement.
Goals:
Safe environment through community design
and participation.
Policies:
Ensure community design is consistent
with overall safety and
crime
prevention theme; work with the neighborhood watch groups
(Elfin Forest
Block
Captains) to prevent crime; continue to maintain close
contact and communication with citizen’s groups and the
CHP and county sheriff’s department.
Existing
Conditions: County
Service Area (CSA 107) falls under the governance of the San
Diego County Board of Supervisors.
CSA 107 is funded by a special tax and is governed by
locally elected residents (Advisory Board) who provide input
to the Board of Supervisors.
CSA 107’s tax revenue is marginal and requires
augmentation with grants, private donations and numerous
fund raising activities.
In response to increased costs and demand for
services, the board with input from residents, recommended a
benefit increase. In
a tremendous show of support, Proposition S was approved by
the citizens of Elfin Forest by an 89% margin and is
effective July1 2001-July 30, 2015.
The
EFHG Volunteer Fire Department is at the core of our
community. The high level of commitment, personnel, service,
and training lend a sense of pride, continuity and, security
to the neighborhood.
Goals:
As a part of the increased benefit, over
the next 15 years, EFGHFD will continue to provide the high
quality protection and services that it has in the past and
will move toward the following as part of its effort to
expand its services:
Preserve
the quality of the community’s rural atmosphere
“Neighbors Helping Neighbors”.
Ensure
the continuity of the Elfin Forest and Harmony Grove
communities
Provide
the speedy delivery of fire and emergency medical services
while maintaining an advanced level of training.
Provide
state-of-the-art fire apparatus and medical equipment
Provide
24/7 staffing of the department
Help
maintain property values and assist in reducing insurance
premiums
Policies:
Support the EFHGFD with fundraising activities and
the EFHG Fire Auxiliary.
Goals:
Structures that withstand reasonable seismic
activity. Continue
to provide the community with a Disaster Preparedness
program.
Policies:
Follow county guidelines.
Existing
Conditions:
Good ingress and egress to the community during heavy rains.
Goals:
Unspoiled floodplain shall function as regional open
space resource.; control of path/volume of drain water.
Policies:
Floodplain development shall support the rural
lifestyle such as equestrian ranches, agriculture, or
recreational uses; use types and patterns of development
shall minimize water pollution, soil erosion, silting, slide
damage, flooding, hillside cutting and scarring; prohibit
excessive and unsightly elevation of pads in floodplain.
The
Noise Element identifies and appraises noise problems in the
community. To
the extent possible, current and projected noise levels are
calculated and mapped for roadways, railroads, airports,
industrial plants, and other major noise sources.
Goals:
The community shall continue to be quiet.
Policies:
This shall remain a quiet area free of
excessive noise. Noise
standards shall
be applied for a rural area as opposed to urban or suburban
community. No
industry shall be allowed.
The
Public Facilities Element is an optional element provides
the policy basis which will guide shorter term documents
such as the capital improvements program (CIP) and annual
capital budget. This
element should also discuss the location of future
facilities and improvements, acceptable levels of service,
funding priorities, and the timing of availability.
Goals:
The area shall remain rural in nature without
public facilities.
Policies:
The are has no sewer system and uses only septic
systems for waste
disposal.
Existing
Conditions: The
Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve is a 750 acre open space park.
Hilly trails traverse otherwise undisturbed chaparral
with beautiful
views, picnic
areas and water.
Goals:
To welcome the public to enjoy the area set aside for
their enjoyment.
Policies: The Reserve is owned and maintained by the Olivenhain Municipal Water District in cooperation with the U. S. Department of the Interior-Bureau of Land Management
Existing
Conditions:
Through the efforts of the Elfin Forest Trails Committee,
private trails have been designated throughout the Elfin
Forest Community.
Goals:
To continue developing a system of trails
that link properties in Elfin Forest with the Recreational
Reserve, and with surrounding trail systems, including
Olivenhain, Rancho Santa Fe, Lake Hodges, San Marcos and the
County Regional Trail System.
And continue to develop recreational use throughout
some open space.
Policies:
Acquire open space along proposed trail
routes; make dedication of linking trails a condition of
development; require developers to consult current county
trails maps for the area before submitting permit
applications.
8.5.
Libraries – not applicable
8.6.
Fire, Emergency Medical Services and Law
Enforcement – Refer to 6.1, 6.2, 6.3.
The
Elfin Forest Community is on septic systems to all waste
management.
The
community’s solid waste is removed by a commercial
company. The community is also the site of the closed San
Marcos Landfill which operated here for more than 20 years.
Goals:
To encourage
recycling and composting. To encourage the county to quickly
complete closure and revegetation of the closed landfill.
Policies:
To prevent siting of
future landfills in Elfin Forest.
Community
Character for Elfin Forest/Harmony Grove, February,14, 2000.
County of San
Diego General Plan 2020, Harmony Grove/Eden Valley Community
Plan Text, September 2001.
Elfin Forest
/ Harmony Grove Community Guide, 4th ed. Evelyn
Alemanni, editor. Elfin Forest, CA; Elfin Forest/Harmony
Grove Town Council, 2000.
Declaration of Establishment of Restrictions For Santa Fe Mountains Association, June 3, 1959.
08/27/2008 Copyright Elfin Forest/Harmony Grove Town Council. All rights reserved. Web design by Evelyn Alemanni