SAN CLEMENTE : Group Opposing Foothill Tollway

A group of homeowners has launched a petition drive to block construction of the proposed Foothill Tollway, which would link Oso Parkway and north San Diego county via San Clemente.

The group plans plan to present the petition at next Tuesday’s San Clemente Planning Commission meeting and at the Oct. 3 City Council meeting, during public hearings on two proposed tollway routes.

Residents oppose both routes, the first through the southern border of town and Camp Pendleton and the other through downtown San Clemente and Prima Deshecha Regional Park.

The group consists of homeowners who live on or near the proposed routes, said group spokesman Michael Bird. Residents organized after a recent informational meeting put on by the Transportation Corridor Agency, which is in charge of building the toll road.

Residents claim either route would hurt wildlife and encourage development.

“We aren’t necessarily opposing the tollway, but most people agree these are terrible alignments,” Bird said. “We want the city to come up with some alignments that would make some sense.”

The San Clemente City Council, which has publicly opposed the route through the city’s downtown, is expected to make its recommendation to the Transportation Corridor Agency before the agency’s Nov. 29 meeting.

Although city approval is not required for the tollway, San Clemente Councilwoman Holly Veale is a voting member of the agency board, Donna Stubbs, TCA spokeswoman said.

“The city’s approval is considered very important,” Stubbs said.