A number of homeowners have raised questions about why no renovations or improvements have been done to the major slopes in the south mesa specifically to the slopes below Lynwood Drive and those facing the golf course behind Paseo de las Flores, Spanish Bay Court and Cypress Hills Drive.

The Landscaping Committee made a conscious decision over a year ago that was endorsed by the Board of Directors regarding improvements in these areas. The committee and the board both recognize the need to make major improvements to these areas. However, those strategies and plans have not been implemented because these areas do not yet have access to recycled water.

There is a project underway to bring recycled water to all of the south mesa including these slopes. However, the project has been delayed by recent policy changes implemented by the City of Encinitas. The current outlook is that this project should be completed by the middle of 2018.

The Landscaping Committee and the Board agreed that it makes no sense to spend a significant amount of money on landscaping improvements in these areas if we were to experience drought conditions that would cause us to lose the ability to water those areas. It was only a few years ago that we came very close to having the San Dieguito Water District (SDWD) and local water authorities declare a severe drought. In that situation we would have been told to cease all watering of common areas. We are currently using potable water to irrigate those areas and those supplies could be shut off in which case the community would risk losing millions of dollars of landscaping. With recycled water there are no limitations on the amount of water used.

There have been numerous articles and posts made on this topic to date and regular updates will continue to be provided to the community.

We thank you for your patience and understanding as we anxiously await completion of the recycled water project and the beautification of the affected areas. The plan is to upgrade all of these slopes beginning in the spring of 2018.