This election season, Poway residents are weighing in on a local ballot measure proposing building a 30,000-square-foot Lifetime Fitness Center in a housing development called The Farm.
The measure, known as Measure H, has been controversial, with critics arguing that the proposed fitness center would be too large for the area and would break promises made to residents.
In the 2020 election, Poway residents won “The Farm,” a 117-acre residential subdivision that includes plans for approximately 160 homes, a community garden, event space, hiking trails, a dog park, a 3,000-square-foot fitness club, and more. Approved the project. . The development is located on the site of the former Stoneridge Country Club in north Poway.
In Poway, proposals to increase housing density on certain types of land must be approved by voters. This is the result of Proposition FF, which voters approved in 1988.
The Farm: Regarding the 2020 proposal, some residents who supported it said they were attracted to the idea of a luxury residential development with a small-town feel. However, some residents told Voice of San Diego that they expect commercial facilities like the health club to be occupied by local small businesses.
Now, The Farm could replace the proposed 3,000-square-foot fitness club that voters approved in 2020 with an upscale fitness center 10 times the size originally proposed and run by a giant corporation.
Life Time, a Minnesota-based fitness company with hundreds of fitness centers across the U.S. and Canada, has two swimming pools, a pickleball court, a tennis court, a fitness center, a cafe with bar, and a fitness center. I proposed a recreational fitness club. A day spa and several retail stores are all located on The Farm’s 6.87 acres.
Supporters of Measure H argue that North Poway needs a high-quality fitness center that offers the kind of amenities and perks that Life Time offers residents. The $30 million facility will generate between $70,000 and $90,000 in property tax revenue annually for the city.
Supporters also argue that while there was much opposition when The Farm was proposed years ago, the area has largely proven successful.
Critics of the measure say that if voters approve Measure H, the area will see increased traffic and It said noise levels could increase significantly.
They also say this plan was not contracted for in 2020.
Steph Griffin, Lifetime’s senior development manager, issued an emailed statement.
“We have designed the project to minimize impact on surrounding residents and an independent traffic study confirmed that no new significant traffic impacts will occur,” the statement said in part. are. “Measure H will provide an amenity to the entire community that will generate property tax revenue and sales tax revenue.”
Read Life Time’s full statement here.
In July, the Poway City Council voted 4-1 to approve the developer’s plans for the large facility, pending approval by public vote. The council then unanimously voted to place the measure on the ballot.
Poway Mayor Steve Vause said at the meeting that approval of the developer’s amendments does not indicate the City Council’s position on the project itself, and that voters will ultimately decide.
City Councilor Anita Edmondson cast the only “no” vote in the debate to approve the changes to the facility. Edmonson represents the district where The Farm is located.
“The site is in a residential area that was not designed with large-scale commercial activity in mind,” Edmondson said at the meeting. “In my opinion, this drastic change is too big to move forward.”
