SAN MARCOS - The draft Environmental Impact Report for the vaunted downtown San Marcos Creek project was released by the city Friday documenting impacts created by channeling the creek and developing homes, offices and restaurants along its northern side.

A City Council appointed citizen task force has been working with city staffers and consultants over the last 19 months to develop the design for the 217-acre project.

"The EIR reflects exactly what you've see from creekside task force," said City Manager Paul Malone. "It's certainly a milestone in the process toward ultimate approval of the specific plan."

Envisioned as a downtown with restaurants, shops, condos and office buildings, the creek district will span two miles along the scraggly, federally-protected San Marcos creek bed. The creek would be widened and channeled, and restored under the proposed $1.5 billion project, which is expected to take more than two decades to finish.

Proponents say it will be a draw for all of North County.