Possible transfer of land should cause concern

I would like to commend the Fallbrook Community Planning Group for their letter opposing the transfer of the 90-acre parcel of land at the southeast corner of the I-15 and 76 from County rolls to the Tribal Trust. Passed unanimously (15-0), the letter will be sent to our representatives, the media, the County, and the Bureaus of Indian Affairs to whom the transfer request was made by the Pala Band of Mission Indians.

Its contents should also be of particular concern to the present residents of Lake Rancho Viejo, future residents and users of the adjoining Palomar College, the Pardee, Passarelle, Pappas developments, the San Luis Rey River Park, and the Pechanga, Harrah’s and Valley View casinos.

Taxpayers will have to pay increased taxes to offset removal of the parcel from the County tax base and to provide the additional infrastructure to develop the parcel.

Since transfer relieves compliance with County zoning and building regulations, the result could well be a 20-story casino, looming over local residents and destroying home values, similar to the seven-story Las Vegas-style marquee that turned night-into-day in Lake Rancho Viejo two years ago. As the first casino right on a freeway, the casino would trump Pechanga, Harrah’s and Valley View.

Since the casino’s food and gas services would not have to assess customers with any business taxes, the price advantage would devastate local businesses. In short, development in this rapidly growing commercial corridor, without oversight and regulation, is a recipe for disaster.

John Confrey