Plans for a major expansion of the Santee Trolley Square area moved forward this week as the Santee Planning Commission voted 4-1 to recommend the project to the full City Council for approval.

The proposed development would add approximately 200 residential units — a mix of apartments and townhomes — along with 15,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space on parcels adjacent to the existing Santee Town Center trolley station.

Project Details

Developer Meridian Communities presented updated plans that include: - 200 residential units ranging from studios to three-bedroom townhomes - 15,000 sq ft of retail including space for restaurants, a coffee shop, and neighborhood services - A public plaza connecting the development to the trolley station - Structured parking with 1.5 spaces per residential unit plus visitor and retail parking - Bike storage and repair stations to encourage multimodal transportation

The project is designed to take advantage of the trolley station's transit connectivity, with the developer citing state density bonus provisions for transit-adjacent housing.

Community Concerns

Not everyone is on board. Several residents spoke against the project, citing concerns about traffic congestion on Cuyamaca Street and Town Center Parkway, building heights of up to five stories, and the potential impact on neighborhood character.

"We moved to Santee for the suburban feel," said resident Tom Bradley. "Five-story buildings next to our neighborhoods changes that."

The Planning Commission's lone dissenting vote, Commissioner Sarah Kim, echoed traffic concerns but said she supported the concept of transit-oriented development in principle.

Next Steps

The project now moves to the Santee City Council, where a public hearing is expected in late March or April. If approved, construction could begin in late 2026 with initial occupancy targeted for 2028.