Mall operator Westfield Group plans to add a 10-screen movie theater and adjacent pedestrian plaza at its Westfield North County property in Escondido, according to the city manager’s office.

Officials said Westfield has submitted a request to modify the master development plan for the mall property, in order to add a new 50,340-square-foot, 10-auditorium movie theater whose operator has not yet been finalized. The theater and pedestrian plaza would be built on what is currently parking lot space.

The company’s request includes a new 28-foot-tall pylon sign at the southwest corner of Bear Valley Parkway and Beethoven Drive. The city’s Economic Development Subcommittee is scheduled on Aug. 12 to consider Westfield’s request for expedited processing as part of a business enhancement zone.

If authorized for expedited processing, officials said the proposal would be considered directly by Escondido City Council at a future public hearing, without Planning Commission review.

Sydney-based Westfield Group owns or holds stakes in seven malls in San Diego County. The company in 2012 completed a $55 million renovation and expansion of the Escondido mall, located at 272 E. Via Rancho Parkway off Interstate 15.

Westfield currently has underway a $500 million renovation at its Westfield UTC mall at University Towne Center, and a $300 million overhaul of its property now known as Westfield Carlsbad.
 

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