The Escondido City Council on Oct. 2 voted to accept a development proposal from Stonebrook Condominiums and directed staff to bring a draft purchase agreement to the council’s next meeting for a 5.17‑acre city‑owned parcel on the city’s west side.

Judy Owens, speaking on behalf of Allstate Development, told the council the Stonebrook plan would build 25 condominium units targeted to downsizing buyers, that financing is secured and that the developer has about 15 interested buyers. "We are ready to move forward. We just need your support," Owens said.

The project drew immediate resistance from residents who said the parcel is park‑designated and therefore subject to charter limits on sales. Joe Kaplan, describing himself as an Escanaba taxpayer and 4 River Township resident, said the parcel was set aside for recreational use in council minutes and a 2021 recreation plan and argued that selling park land requires approval of 60% of voters under the city charter. "This absolutely is a park, which requires by resolution 60% of the voters to approve it in order to sell it for other purposes," Kaplan said.

Council discussion noted that accepting the developer’s RFP does not complete a sale. City staff and the city attorney said the purchase agreement, a rezoning, and site‑plan review would still be required; staff also said council could enforce construction milestones most easily before closing. The city attorney told the council the parcel would still go to the planning commission for rezoning or planned unit development review if the council proceeds.

Council members said the Stonebrook proposal included a $75,000 purchase offer (the RFP packet on file lists two bids: $55,000 for a green‑space proposal and $75,000 for condo development), a developer‑funded new utility connection, and an estimate from the developer that the condos would add roughly $250,000 annually to the city tax base from the units alone. The city manager noted the developer projected additional long‑term tax and utility revenues if the project is completed.

On a roll call the council voted to accept the Stonebrook RFP and request a purchase agreement at the next meeting (recorded yes votes: Council Member Moore; Council Member Flock; Council Member Bauschau; Council Member DuBois; Mayor Hamill). No formal sale closed at the meeting.

The council noted next steps include legal review of the purchase agreement, planning‑commission review, potential rezoning, and any required site‑plan approvals. Staff also said the purchase agreement could include due‑diligence timelines; the current contract language discussed in the meeting mentions a 12‑month due‑diligence period with a possible six‑month extension.

The sale debate took place amid public comment and several councilmember remarks; councilmembers who spoke in favor highlighted housing supply and local economic benefits, while residents urged adherence to the charter and the 2021 recreation plan.

The council did not vote to sell the parcel at the Oct. 2 meeting; it voted only to accept the developer’s RFP and ask staff to return with a purchase agreement for final consideration.