President’s Message
By Marilyn Reed
The first half of the AGCC Town Hall Meeting Schedule for 2012 has already been set and features speakers which could have a very significant impact on our community in numerous ways. The upcoming January 24th Meeting will give Allied Gardens and Grantville residents and business owners a unique opportunity to listen to and ask questions of two candidates for the City of San Diego District 7 Council seat: Mat Kostrinsky and Rik Hauptfeld. Mr. Kostrinsky is a resident of Del Cerro and Mr. Hauptfeld resides in Tierrasanta. Both will be speaking for a portion of the meeting on issues affecting our area and afterwards answering questions from the audience.
As a result of this upcoming election year and our efforts to bring you as many candidates as possible, little time was left in our Town Hall Meeting Schedule for land use issues.
Therefore, AGCC will be holding a special Town Hall Meeting on February 6.
Land Use
By Marilyn Reed
Read about the various projects and development actions that affect Allied Gardens and Grantville here.
| Town Hall Meeting Minutes November 29, 2011 Ascension Lutheran Church 5106 Zion Avenue San Diego, CA 92120 |
By Marilyn Reed
The first half of the AGCC Town Hall Meeting Schedule for 2012 has already been set and features speakers which could have a very significant impact on our community in numerous ways. The upcoming January 24th Meeting will give Allied Gardens and Grantville residents and business owners a unique opportunity to listen to and ask questions of two candidates for the City of San Diego District 7 Council seat: Mat Kostrinsky and Rik Hauptfeld. Mr. Kostrinsky is a resident of Del Cerro and Mr. Hauptfeld resides in Tierrasanta. Both will be speaking for a portion of the meeting on issues affecting our area and afterwards answering questions from the audience. The third candidate for the position of District 7 Council member is Mr. Scott Sherman. Mr. Sherman lives in Allied Gardens and will be a speaker at the March 27th Town Hall Meeting. He will be sharing the program with Congressman Bob Filner, who is running for Mayor of San Diego. Additionally, AGCC will present another candidate for the office of Mayor on May 29: Councilmember Carl DeMaio. The Board of AGCC is very grateful to each of these candidates for arranging their schedules to accommodate our meeting dates. Please do not miss this opportunity to hear from individuals that could have a very important impact on the future, not only of San Diego, but of Allied Gardens and Grantville.
As a result of this upcoming election year and our efforts to bring you as many candidates as possible, little time was left in our Town Hall Meeting Schedule for land use issues.
Therefore, AGCC will be holding a special Town Hall Meeting on February 6.
This meeting will be dedicated to the discussion of several multifamily residential projects (in various planning stages) slated for the Allied Gardens and Grantville areas. Currently on the agenda for Feb. 6th is a presentation on a project proposed for the vacant lot at the corner of Glenroy and Zion Ave. This lot is very familiar to the community and is often referred to as the A.G. Kiwanis Christmas Tree Lot. The project’s developer has requested an opportunity to address the community and to present his tentative plans for the property. Previously at the Oct. 17th NCPI (Navajo Community Planners Inc.) meeting, the developer and his representative suggested the project’s purpose would be to provide senior housing with approximately 50 to 55 multifamily residential units. This project could be three stories in height to accommodate parking requirements.
Also, tentatively scheduled for the Feb. 6th special Town Hall Meeting agenda is the Shawnee project which was presented to the community earlier this year. The representative for the developer has requested the opportunity to present additional information on the progress of this project. The Shawnee project will contain approximately 1,000 multifamily residential units and about twenty-three single family homes. It is to be constructed west of Mission Gorge Road, very close to the Superior Ready Mix property.
This meeting (as well as all of AGCC’s Town Hall Meetings) will be held at the Ascension Lutheran Church (located at 5106 Zion Ave.) and will begin at 7 PM.
Land Use Report
Prepared by Marilyn Reed
On December 28, the California Supreme Court ruled on two laws pertaining to redevelopment agencies. The first law, AB1x26, was passed by the Legislature in June to abolish the redevelopment agencies and to return tax money back to the general fund of the cities, counties and schools. The Supreme Court upheld this law and found it constitutional. The second law, AB1x27, allowed the redevelopment agencies to continue, but required them to pay the state $1.7 billion from their tax revenues for this year and $400 million annually. The San Diego Redevelopment agencies were to pay $100 million of this burden to the state. The Court found the second law unconstitutional.
In essence, the Court upheld Assembly Bill 1X26 which abolished all redevelopment agencies including the San Diego Redevelopment Agency, which oversee the Grantville Redevelopment Project, and invalidated Assembly Bill 1X27. How this will directly impact our area and the current projects slated for construction is yet to be seen. As of this writing, there has been no official statement from the San Diego Redevelopment Agency or from the City of San Diego. There also has been no notification as to when or even if any further Grantville Stakeholders Committee Meetings will be held. As more information is released, I will convey it to you through the Newsletter or AGCC Website.
I. Allied Gardens Community Council (AGCC) December 5, 2011 and January 9, 2012
Ascension Lutheran Church
5106 Zion Ave.
Time: 7:00 pm
Next Town Hall Meeting will be on January 24th and the Main Speakers will be Mat Kostrinsky and Rik Hauptfeld. Both are running for the D7 Council Seat.
An additional Town Hall meeting will be held on February 6 specifically to discuss land use issues. The projects tentatively on the agenda are the Village at Zion Senior Housing ( 50 to 55 condos) and the Shawnee Project which is located close to Superior Ready Mix property (approximately 1,000 condos).
Fast Break Food – 5171 Zion Avenue—Application for a Type 21 liquor license*
The applicant was requesting an upgrade from a Type 20 liquor license to a Type 21. The Type 21 license would allow the owner to sell distilled liquor, but with conditions set down by the SDPD. One of the conditions the owner requested to be reconsidered dealt with prohibiting the sale of single cans of beer. The Board of NCPI voted to uphold all the original conditions, including the one which addressed the sale of single cans of beer.
*On Nov. 9th, a Hearing Officer from the Development Services Department approved the application for a Conditional Use Permit to upgrade an existing Type 20 liquor license to a Type 21 liquor license within the existing Fast Break market. However, the condition dealing with the prohibition of the sale of single can servings of beer was modified to allow the owner to sell three cans of beer together. The ABC will have the final say regarding this change to the condition set down by SDPD. In addition, the market will be open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. (Sunday to Thursday) and from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Village at Zion Senior Housing*—
Initiation of an amendment to the Navajo Community Plan to redesignate a 1.2 acre parcel at the northwest corner of Zion Ave. and Glenroy Street. The community plan designation of a single-family residential zone was proposed for change to a high density residential zone. This will accommodate a project with the objective (at this time) to allow construction of a senior housing project for about 50 to 55 apartments which could be three stories in height. However, no definite plans have been presented by the developer, only this suggestion for the use of the property.
*Mentioned in the AGCC Newsletter was a request for the community to post their preference for the use of this lot on the AGCC website. The question gave two choices; multifamily residential or additional Park space. The majority of respondents have been opposed to the construction of senior housing (or any housing for that matter) and in favor of annexing the property to the existing Allied Gardens Community Park. Some examples of the responses are as follows:
“I would like to see this lot become part of the Allied Gardens Community Park - I do NOT want to see this lot turned into multifamily residential units. The main reason I bought a home in this neighborhood/community was because it is quiet, established neighborhood with a strong sense of community. Multifamily units will further decrease my property value, bring increased traffic flow, parking, and the potential for other problems such as increased crime, transient residents moving in/out (as is often the case with multifamily residential units/apartments - constant turnover..) as well as put a strain on the existing Park facilities!”
”A park would be much better than large housing. The park is such a great place for families to come together and we would love to enjoy more of it.”
“This land should NOT be zoned for multi family dwelling. There is no need for this in this area and it would be a blight for our pleasant community. There is inadequate parking which would lead to more vehicle street parking congesting the area too near an elementary school and library in my opinion. NO MULTIFAMILY DWELLINGS AT GLENROY AND ZION!!!!
“I'm not really keen on either multi family residential units or an extension of the park--how about a Starbucks or something similar? That would be a great neighborhood gathering place.”
Additional information has been given for this report by Chuck Oursler, long time realtor in our area, regarding the property at the corner of Mission Gorge Rd. and Friars Rd. that was once a Burger King restaurant. It is now owned by “Auto Zone” and the intention is to build a new facility in January. This was the lot that had been considered as a possible site for an In & Out Burger Restaurant but was never finalized. Special thanks to Chuck Oursler for this information.
II. Navajo Community Planners, Inc.
Meeting was on November 21, 2011
Next meeting will be December 19, 2011
Location is Temple Emanu-El, 6299 Capri Drive
Meeting Time is 7:00 pm
Agenda for November 21, 2011 was:
Non-Agenda Comment:
Numerous members of the Allied Gardens community attended the meeting of NCPI to register their opposition to the approval by NCPI of an initiation amendment for rezoning the property at Glenroy and Zion Ave. from single family residential to multifamily residential. The property is known as the Harb property or Kiwanis Christmas Tree lot. Their comments will be recorded in the minutes of NCPI and on file with the City of San Diego.
Action Items:
1. Allied Gardens Traffic Calming-- Consideration was given for the installation of stop signs at the intersections Delbarton/Glacier/Seaman Streets and Seaman/Orcutt Streets. The Board of NCPI approved the installation.
2. AT&T East San Diego Masonic Lodge – 7849 Tommy Drive
Danielle Goldman made a presentation on behalf of AT&T, describing the differences in the current proposal as compared to the design reviewed in June by NCPI. Residents from a nearby apartment complex had gathered over 140 signatures against the construction of a 30 foot clock tower for placement of AT&T’s antennas. Motion was approved.
The remaining items were tabled until December 19th:
A. NCPI Ad-Hoc Subcommittee
An Ad-Hoc committee of the Navajo Community Planners, Inc. (NCPI) was established, with the purpose of identifying current and future recreation needs for the Navajo Community as a result of the Redevelopment Project. Should the possibility of 11,000 multifamily units (which could bring more than 16,000 new residents to Grantville and Allied Gardens) actually be constructed, there would be a lack of recreational park space and green space within the Grantville area. The committee has met for a number of months and during its final meeting on Nov. 3, recommendations to fulfill the park deficit were finalized.
The following recommendations will be presented to the Board of NCPI for approval on December 19th.
NCPI AD-HOC SUBCOMMITTEE PROPOSED RECOMMENDATION, November 7, 2011
The Ad-Hoc Subcommittee recommends to the Navajo Community Planners, Inc. the following:
- That the attached Park Inventory for Existing and Future Parks be incorporated into the Navajo Community Plan amendment for the Grantville Redevelopment, contingent upon the maximization of the total park land acreage to reduce the community’s population-based park acreage deficit to the greatest extent possible.
- That the recommended park development plan provide for the following seven park categories:
Acquisition of approx 20 acres within Navajo (it can be from 10 – 20 acres)
Acquisition of property between Mission Gorge Road and San Diego River
Acquisition Adobe Falls Open Space (SDSU Property)
Non-traditional recreation facilities (Grantville Subarea A)
Sports Complex Area #1 (3-5 acres)
Sports Complex Area #1 (3-5 acres) (Grantville Subarea B)
Acquisition of property between Mission Gorge Road and San Diego River
Development of sports fields for multipurpose uses and support facilities
Sports Complex Area #2 (3-5 acres)
Sports Complex Area #2 (3-5 acres) (Grantville Subarea B)
Acquisition of property between Mission Gorge Road and San Diego River
Development of sports fields for multipurpose uses and support facilities
- Joint Use Fields Development
Existing Joint Use Fields Development/Expansion
Lewis Middle School
Pershing Middle School
- New Joint Use Fields
- Grantville Elementary School
- Green Elementary School
- Marvin Elementary School
- Gage Elementary School
- Benchley Elementary School
- Foster Elementary School
- Momentum Elementary School
- Neighborhood Park Development (Small recreation areas/play lots, etc.)
- Pasatiempo Neighborhood Park
- Alvarado Creek Linear Park (east)
- Trolley Stop Park
- Vandever Avenue Mini Park
- Bedlow Neighborhood Park
- Fairmount Avenue Mini-Park
- Recreation Center Development
- New Recreation Center at Allied Gardens
- San Carlos Recreation Center Expansion
- Community Park Development
- Expansion of Lake Murray recreation facilities
- New Dog Off-Leash Area
- Open Space Development (minimal development)
- Natural Parks
- Pasatiempo Open Space Park
- Adobe Falls Open Space Park (city property)
- Passive Parks
- San Diego River Park (35’ along the river)
- Alvarado Creek Linear Park (west)
B. Community Planning Chairs:
A report and recommendation for action from Dan Smith (Grantville Representative), who is the NCPI representative to the CPC, will be presented on Dec. 19th.
III. Grantville Stakeholders Committee (GSC)*--This Information was Issued PriorTo The Dec. 28th Supreme Court Decision to Abolish the Redevelopment Agencies.
No meetings have been held for since April of 2011. Please check with Mr. Dan Monroe at 619-236-5529 or DMMonroe@sandiego.gov with any questions regarding meeting times, dates or agenda items for the future.
*There will be a new location for the GSC meetings—they will no longer be held at the Church of the Nazarene. The new location will be Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor Center. Please check with Mr. Monroe for the actual location.
On December 6, the items will be on the agenda for the City Council regarding the Grantville Redevelopment project and other Redevelopment areas in San Diego. The following information was sent out to GSC members and NCPI members from Joel Hyatt, Redevelopment Manager for the Grantville Redevelopment Project.
December 2, 2011
Dear Grantville Stake Holder’s Committee and the Navajo Community Planning Group:
Below are two links to the Agency and City Council items to be heard next Tuesday, December 6, 2011. You are encouraged to review the documents and are welcome to attend and provide your input. In the interim, you may also contact me at 619-236-6525 with any questions or comments
As you may recall, on July 11, 2011, The Redevelopment Agency (Agency) staff attended the regularly scheduled meeting of the Grantville Stakeholders Committee (GSC) and provided an update on the status of the Governor’s actions to eliminate Redevelopment in California through AB 26 and AB 27. AB 26 provides for the elimination of Redevelopment Agencies in the State of California while AB 27 provides an option for Redevelopment Agencies that can afford to do so, to “Opt-In” and make specified payments to the State in order to continue Redevelopment activities.
On July 18, 2011, the San Diego City Council, in the best interest of the Agency, voted to make the anticipated “Opt-In” payment as permitted under AB 27. Although the payment to the State by the Agency is substantial (the current estimate is $69 million), the payment will allow the Agency to continue performing Redevelopment activities in San Diego.
At this time, the constitutionality of both AB 26 and AB 27 are under consideration by the California Supreme Court (Court) after oral arguments were heard on November 10, 2011. Both the “Opt-In” payment and the overall continuation of Redevelopment are subject to the Court’s decision that is expected anytime prior to January 15, 2012. January 15, 2012 coincides with the deadline for the Agency to make the “Opt-In” payment.
In preparation for making the “Opt-In” payment, the Agency must make several Agency budget amendments affecting various San Diego Redevelopment Project Areas including Grantville. As indicated by Agency staff at the July 11, 2011 GSC Meeting, the anticipated payment from Grantville Tax Increment to the State was estimated between $500,000 and $1,000,000.
The payment of these funds will certainly have an impact on future Grantville projects; however, additional funds will become available as additional tax increment is generated and new projects are developed within the Grantville Redevelopment Project Area. The most immediate impact to Grantville will be the delay of the 6-lane traffic and construction improvements at the intersection of Interstate 8 and Mission Gorge Road; however, the Agency is positioned and funded to complete the construction drawings for this project assuming Redevelopment is not eliminated by the California Supreme Court’s decision. The on-going Community Plan Update for Sub-Area A in Grantville is not affected by AB 26 or AB 27 and can continue.
Sincerely,
Joel S. Hyatt
Redevelopment Project Manager
Grantville Redevelopment Project Area
Here are two links to this item:
http://docs.sandiego.gov/redevelopmentagency_agendas/2011/dkt20111206_2pm_attachments.pdf
http://dockets.sandiego.gov/sirepub/pubmtgframe.aspx?meetid=1249&doctype=Agenda
Those interested in commenting on this item or any item who can’t make the Council meeting can submit comments for the record by using the website http://www.sandiego.gov/city-clerk/officialdocs/docketcomment.shtml. Those comments end up being sent to our office also. It also includes information on speaking at the meeting.
Grantville Action Group
No meeting was held on Dec. 1
Meeting Location: VFW on Twain Ave.
Meeting Time: 6:30 PM
Next meetings will be January 5, 2012 and February 2, 2012
The main speaker for December 1 was to have been Mr. Scott Sherman, who is running for D7 Council seat. He had to cancel due to a scheduling conflict. Mr. Sherman rescheduled for the January 5 meeting.
Beautification Report
Clock at the Triangle—The Clock paint and timing mechanism are in need of repair. Donations were accepted at the Anniversary Celebration on Sept. 27th for repair and repainting of the Clock. The total amount received was $61.67. A new fund will be set aside to work toward financing the repairs.
| Town Hall Meeting Minutes November 29, 2011 Ascension Lutheran Church 5106 Zion Avenue San Diego, CA 92120 |
CALL TO ORDER: President, Marilyn Reed, called the Town Hall Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
FLAG SALUTE: Marilyn Reed led the flag salute.
MINUTES: It was moved, seconded, and passed that the September Town Hall Meeting Minutes be accepted as published in the Allied Gardens Community Council Newsletter.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT: Marilyn announced that the council members will be stringing lights on the Waring Road flyover bridge on Saturday, Dec. 3, at 9:00 a.m. On Sunday, Dec. 4, 10:00 a.m., AGCC members will be decorating a Christmas tree at the Waring Rd./Zion Intersection. The tree will be lighted at a ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 9, 6:00 p.m. The Holiday Festival will be held at Friday evening, at 7:00, at Lewis Middle School. She also stated that at the January 24 Town Hall Meeting the speaker will be Mat Kostrinsky, a candidate for the City Council for our area. At the March Town Hall Meeting the speaker will be Scott Sherman, also a candidate for City Council.
ELECTED OFFICIAL REPORTS:
Marisa Berumen, Councilmember Marti Emerald’s representative, announced that Ascension Lutheran Church will be hosting its Annual Community Holiday Dinner, on December 4, 12:00-1:00 p.m. That evening, at 7:30, there will be a concert choir and organist performing classic Christmas Carols. Ms. Berumen fielded questions regarding the Senior Housing Project planned for the 1.2 acre property on the northwest corner of Glenroy and Zion. The Planning Commission approved an initiation for a zoning change to high density residential, from single family housing, for the lot. The owners will come back with definite project plans. Marilyn stated that the council has plans to arrange a special meeting on this issue for the community. Marilyn also requested Councilmember Emerald consider the purchase of this property as an extension of the Allied Gardens Community Park. Marisa said she would discuss the request with the Councilmember.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Police Officer Bostede announced that the Eastern Division will be adding part of the college area to its patrols. Some of the crimes committed in our area were: a series of burglaries at several salons, an ATM was stolen from a business, there have been several home burglaries--several in homes where a window or door was left open, and there were quite a lot of elderly scams. He said to check on organizations that are asking for donations at this time of the year. Officer Bostede also answered questions from the audience.
PROGRAM:
The main speaker was State Assemblyman for the 75th District, Nathan Fletcher, who is running for the position of Mayor of San Diego. In his first term in the State Assembly, he had 21 pieces of legislation signed into law. He was instrumental in passing tax reform that will help create thousands of new California jobs, including many in the biotech and high-tech industries located in the San Diego region. He authored Chelsea’s Law, which created a one-strike penalty for violent sexual predators that target children.
Assemblymember Fletcher stated that his parents gave him an appreciation for hard work and community service. Before being elected to the legislature, he served ten years in the Marine Corps, serving in Afganistan and Iraq. He stressed that San Diego needs to educate the students for the jobs that are being offered in this 21st century.
Assemblyman Fletcher also answered questions from the audience. In answering one question he stated that developing parkland along the San Diego River would be a good thing. Another question was regarding the 11,000 condos and apartments that are being planned in the Mission Gorge area and his view on this type of density in a single-family area. In his answer regarding the lack of city finances he stated that the pension system needs to be reformed and Government needs to be more efficient through innovation and competitive bidding. He has done surveys on the homeless and not one of them wanted to be homeless. There are many organizations that help the homeless. As mayor he would coordinate all of these organizations to provide a better solution. His website is www.nathanfletcher.com .
The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Terri Lattman, Recording Secretary