Another idea, permabear, you could try to find a “knockdown property” or “gutter” in Poway for =<$400 on a large lot (sloping view lot is okay).
If you leave all the utility meters attached to their studs, you can just do a "remodel" instead of new construction, thereby saving over $30K in permits.
Then you can hire Norm Applebaum to design your your new "modern" dwelling. His services won't come cheap but he and his staff are pros dealing with bureaucrats!
See: http://www.normapplebaum.com/portfolio.html
This will take nearly all or all of your projected budget, due to design and planning fees and the use of some highly upgraded materials.
Then you'll have your new "modern" dwelling that is all yours which will be less subject to the vagaries of "recent comparable sales."
