The developer of a 742-house community in Harmony Grove, just outside the city limits of Escondido, dropped a controversial bid to tap into the city's wastewater facility to provide sewage treatment. Although the decision by the Santa Monica-based developer ends the discussion for now, the question of who will provide sewage treatment to the development is an issue that is likely to return. See story from North County Times   See story from San Diego Union Tribune

Previously, a state Local Agency Formation Commission officer had said it would be illegal for the county to hire the city of Escondido to provide sewer service to a proposed housing project in unincorporated Harmony Grove. Escondido Creek Conservancy leaders warn that the city's treatment system can't handle the additional sewage and that wastewater could end up polluting the creek, which runs from Lake Wohlford to Solana Beach. See story from North County Times