Vista Commissioner Steps Down
A Vista planning commissioner has resigned because he plans to move out of the city before annexation of the area near his new home is completed.
John Howells plans to move into his new home in the unincorporated area of Bonsall by next month. But, since annexation is still six to nine months from completion, said a planning department spokesman, Howells resigned Wednesday night.
Howells advocated immediate annexation of the area between Warmlands Avenue and Vista Grande near Vista’s northern border in large part to save his seat on the planning commission. Members of the planning commission are required to be residents of the city.
Brian Smith of the Planning Department said that Howells was one of several neighbors in the area who were the “moving force for annexation.”
Residents opposing annexation fear higher population densities, taxes and more codes to comply if they become part of Vista.
Howells could not be reached for comment Friday.
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