The Escondido City Council voted unanimously Dec. 10 to approve a plan development permit, tentative subdivision map and design review for a 70-unit townhome project at 613 West Valley Parkway.

Principal Planner Flores told the council the infill project sits on a 2.73-acre site in the downtown specific plan area near an NCTD transit station and would replace a vacant 60,000-square-foot office building. The staff report recommended adoption of ordinance 2025-11 and resolution 2025-162 and said the project is exempt from additional CEQA review as an infill development.

Flores outlined the proposal’s key features: 158 off-street parking spaces in garages, about 23,176 square feet of open space, more than 100 new trees, three building types in an early-California theme and units ranging from about 1,300 to 1,700 square feet at a maximum height of 36 feet. The project proposes 10 two-bedroom units, 24 three-bedroom units and 26 four-bedroom units.

KB Home’s senior vice president, Steve Ruffner, told council that KB Home builds for-sale single-family detached and attached housing and that the company expects to market these units as owner-occupied "starter" or "missing middle" homes rather than rental product. "We build single family detached homes for sale. We don't have anything in our portfolio that's for rent," Ruffner said.

Council members supported the project’s location by transit and its contribution to ownership opportunities for middle-income households. Several members pressed the developer and staff on how to ensure units remain owner-occupied over time and whether deed restrictions or other contractual language could be used; the developer said KB Home sells directly to purchasers and generally would not support deed restrictions that limit future owner choices.

The planning commission had recommended approval 7–0. After council discussion and applicant responses, the council approved the ordinance and associated resolutions by a 4–0 vote.

Next steps: staff will follow the approved conditions of approval and proceed with final map and permit processing.