Fanita Ranch Suffers Fifth Court Defeat in 27 Years; Santee Weighs License Plate Readers
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In dual rulings issued in early June, both San Diego Superior Court and California's Fourth District Court of Appeal struck down the Fanita Ranch housing development — the fifth time courts have ruled against the project since it was first proposed in 1999. The rulings found that the city improperly attempted to avoid sending the 3,000-home plan to a public vote as required by local land-use law.
Environmental groups including the Center for Biological Diversity and Preserve Wild Santee called the outcome a victory for residents concerned about wildfire risk on the area's fire-prone hillsides. The repeated legal defeats raise fundamental questions about how the project has been structured and approved over nearly three decades.
The City of Santee is meanwhile advancing a separate and contentious technology proposal: the installation of six automated license plate readers under a one-year, $18,000 pilot agreement with the San Diego County Sheriff's Office. Supporters argue the cameras will assist in recovering stolen vehicles and aid criminal investigations; privacy advocates have raised concerns about data retention and information sharing with the broader countywide network. A final council vote is expected at the next regular Santee City Council meeting on June 25th.
On a celebratory note, the 2026 Santee Summer Concert Series launched June 11th with a country performance by The Pistol Blonde, followed by a 250-drone patriotic aerial display. The series continues Thursday, June 18th, at 6:30 PM at Town Center Community Park East, 550 Park Center Drive, with classic rock act Electric Vinyl. A Patriotic Mural Mosaic Painting community event is also scheduled for June 21st as part of America's 250th anniversary programming.
Grossmont Union High School District — which includes Santana High School and West Hills High School in Santee — graduated 4,725 students at ceremonies held June 3rd and 4th, drawing from nine comprehensive high schools, two charter schools, and specialized academies across the district.