Plans reach high point in Desert Hot Springs

Public Record, The, Aug 24, 2004 by Kleinschmidt, Janice

Stone Ridge, in the process of completing a draft environmental impact report, is another large-scale housing development: 2,120 lots on 604 acres on the north side of Pierson Boulevard between Karen Avenue and Worsley Road.

"The line that would bring wastewater from Highland Falls will join he line that brings wastewater from Stone Ridge, and together that line comes in and hooks into the sewage distribution collection system," says Marilyn McKay, public information officer for the water district. "So there should be some way that we do it all at one time, get it the right size from the get-go and each party pays its fair share."

The cost the water district will bear relates to the sizing of pipes to accommodate anticipated development of the open desert. "So when somebody comes on board, we have the line in and they will pay whatever it costs us to put in the one half-mile or whatever that relates to their property, McKay says.

Mission Springs has issued water verification statements to Highland Falls and Stone Ridge stating that an adequate water supply exists to serve those projects over the next 20 years. McKay says the parties are "down to the final 5 percent of items that need to be ironed out" concerning pipeline installation Snellenberger is digging wells for water to grade its site.