San Diego County backs Jacumba zoning update to spur growth
San Diego County supervisors unanimously approved updated zoning rules for the rural community of Jacumba Hot Springs. The plan is intended to align land-use policies with the county's general plan and remove barriers to economic development and private investment. Jacumba, near the U.S.-Mexico border, has about 540 residents and has recently drawn attention for solar projects and housing of sexually violent predators.
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted without dissent Wednesday to revise zoning for Jacumba Hot Springs, an unincorporated border community in the Mountain Empire. The change updates an older county ordinance so local land rules better match the county’s general plan, according to supervisors Paloma Aguirre and Joel Anderson, who co-authored it.
Jacumba has roughly 540 residents and is known for mineral springs. It has recently drawn notice for a renovated hotel, major solar developments, and housing for people classified as sexually violent predators, which prompted local protests. At the hearing, residents and advocates said new zoning could support businesses and revitalization.
The zoning update may affect Jacumba’s roughly 540 residents by making it easier for businesses and developers to invest, potentially expanding local jobs and services. It could also shape how the community handles growth amid existing tensions over solar facilities and predator housing. County officials and residents who want revitalization may see the change as a tool, while others may worry that new development could alter the area’s rural character. The actual impact will depend on future projects and implementation.