The ongoing fight to preserve the San Marcos Foothills got a reprieve, of sorts. Two weeks after a bulldozer standoff between preservationists and the developer's contractor, Save the San Marcos Foothills was given the option to buy the 101 acres of land for $20 million, which must be raised by June 2. A positive sign of support must come by March 24 when $4 million is due.
“It’s a high hill to climb,” said Marc Chytilo, attorney for the foothills group. “We’re calling on everyone to step up.”
The agreement comes more than 15 years after permits were pulled to allow the construction of 15 homes and five condominiums on the 377-acre property. The Chadmar Group built seven of the homes, along with all five of the condos. The remaining eight homes, to be built on land known as the West Mesa, are the current point of contention for activists.