A CommunityNewsletter

from the

Grossmont – Mt. Helix

ImprovementAssociation

In This Issue:

PLANNING & LAND USE…See page 3• The new Kaiser Medical

Facility at Fury & Avocadois almost ready

• Do you care who’s electedto the Valle de Oro Com-munity Planning Group?

TRAFFIC…See page 7• A community group seeks

to “calm” traffic• Stop Lights, Stop Signs:

where they are (and aren’t)

CODE ENFORCEMENT…See page 9• The house on Fuerte

Dr.: Hopeful resolution forthis complicated issue!

• The appearance of theCasa de Oro area

IN & AROUND OURCOMMUNITY…See page 2• New retirement community

now in business• Developer purchasing

the chicken ranch• Special Guest Speaker for

the GMIA Annual Meeting• A new Starbucks!• Of major concern: crime is

up in our community!• Can we confirm that Fuerte

Drive is beautiful?

March 2003 Volume 33, Issue 4

Do you keep up with the Planningand Land Use process that goeson in unincorporated San Diego

County? Do you realize that the continuedquality of community life we experience ishighly dependent on that Planning and LandUse process? For example, the San DiegoCounty Government is currently updatingthe County General Plan—the masterplanning document that is the baseline forall land use in the unincorporated areas ofSan Diego County.

Did you know that the update projectcalled GP2020 forecasts the approveddefinition of parameters, requirements, andnumerical constraints/allocations forelements of our rural and urbanizedcommunities, such as development,preservation, density, and infrastructure?

What Do The Above Words Mean to You?Have you had, or do you have, any input to theprocess from which GP2020 update isevolving? Do you know what provisions arecontained in GP2020 for that vacant lot orvacant parcel in your part of our GMIAcommunity? If you had the opportunity to tellthe County Government what you think therequirements should be in GP2020 for ourGMIA community, what would be your input?Do you know who does make official input tothe GP2020 update?

If you feel a little uncertain regarding yourknowledge about Planning & Land Use andyour ability to answer some of these questions,we strongly encourage you to read the articleon Planning & Land Use under the “Do YouKnow About …?” section of this newsletterstarting on page 3. n

Viewpoints is a community newsletterpublished by the Grossmont – Mt. HelixImprovement Association. Letters to theEditor should be sent to P. O. Box 2751,La Mesa, CA 91943-2751.

This newsletter reflects the efforts of yourentire Board of Directors.

Editor: Alvin W. Platt

Design & Layout: Victoria Vinton,Coyote Press GraphicCommunications

Printing: LetterKraft PrintingLemon Grove

Photography: Bob Cederdahl

DirectorsKristine Alessio Rosemary HewekerBrian Arnold Kristin KjaeroGuy Halgren Jack PhillipsAllison Henderson Mike Valley

A Letter from the President

Page 2 GMIA Viewpoints

OfficersAlvin W. Platt President660-0232

Jon Fulghum 1st V. P.440-1048

Tom LeDuc 2nd V.P.697-8884

Clinton Smith Treasurer698-0839

Jan Bement Secretary670-4279

Ellen Phillips Asst. Secretary 670-0986

Happenings…In andAround Our Community

I hope life is going well for all GMIAmembers and their families as wellas for all GMIA community

residents. It is hard to believe thatanother calendar year has rolled off thebooks and into history, and here we arewell into its successor, 2003. Thereare many issues and topics covered inthis issue of our GMIA newsletter, andwe hope it proves to be both interestingand informative to all our members andreaders. Not the least is the importanttopic of planning and land use,probably one of the most criticalparameters in the preservation of ourquality of life as residents in the GMIAcommunity. Therefore, I stronglyencourage you to read the specialsection “Do You Know About . . .”which addresses the planning and landuse process in this issue of ournewsletter. I hope reading this articlemotivates our members to becomemore cognizant and even proactiveregarding the planning and land useprocess that critically impacts andaffects our GMIA community,hopefully to the extent that you willbecome involved to some degree.

Planning and land use is one of thosethings sort of like the Balance ofPayments at the national level –someone has to worry about it, and ifyou don’t, someone else will, and youmay not end up liking the results!

You will also find an extra amount ofinformation regarding severalcommunity projects that are asking forvolunteers to help –the mHANDS trafficcalming group, the Highway 94Landscaping Project, the Fuerte ScenicHighway Project, as well as the Casa deOro Business Association, are allseeking additional volunteers. Don’twait to be asked; jump in and volunteer!The success of many, many projects inour community is critically dependenton the efforts of the volunteer servicesof community members. Until we findthat elusive band of good fairies whoare assigned the task of accomplishingall of our community projects, we willstill have to depend on the efforts of ourcommunity volunteers – how about youbeing one of them? n

Starbucks Is ComingTo Casa De Oro!The constructionand refurbish-ment you seegoing on atthe commer-cial unit in thestrip mall eastof the Blockbusterstore, is the makings of a soon-to-beStarbucks coffee shop—a much wel-come addition to the area in the percep-tion of many of our coffee aficionadocommunity members. Yea!

New Retirement Community NowIn BusinessIf you haven’t noticed,there is a brand newretirement community inthe Rancho SanDiego area.This newfacility, LaVida Real,appears tobe a cut wellabove the average for this type facility.Located at 22588 Via Rancho SanDiego, just across from the new library,

See HAPPENINGS on page 8

Do You Know About…?Another in a series of educational articles for our members

The Planning & Land Use Process

GMIA Viewpoints Page 3

Many GMIA membersand communityresidents are aware of

the continuous planning and landuse process going on for theentire San Diego County,including the large unincorporatedGMIA membership area.However, the details of thisprocess, the decisions made, andthe impacts on our GMIA andsurrounding communities areperhaps not always clearlyunderstood by many of ourmembers and communityresidents.

As often cited in previousissues of this newsletter, theinterests of our GMIAcommunity in the planning andland use process are vested in theelected members of the Valle deOro Community Planning Group(VDO). That local planning grouprepresents about 40,000 people in theeastern unincorporated part of theCounty, including those of us whoreside in the GMIA membership area.Obviously, one of the most importantaspects of the current planning and landuse process is how and for what theremaining vacant land in the VDOplanning area is going to be used. In theGMIA membership boundary area, thereis really only one large parcel of landremaining for development. That parcel,located at the intersection of FuerteDrive and Damon Lane, is commonlyreferred to as the “chicken ranch” sincea large chicken ranch has been operatedon the land. It is planned for agricultureand one dwelling unit per 2 acres forestate type residences on currentCounty land use maps. It is nowsurrounded by prime developedresidential properties, and this largeundeveloped parcel approximating 25+

acres is in the process of beingpurchased by a developer, ReynoldsCommunities. It is anticipated thatresidential development will soon beproposed for this land. Your VDOplanning group and GMIA will bewatching any land use proposal for thisundeveloped parcel with keen interest.

General Plan 2020Future land use is now being consideredCounty-wide in what is known asGeneral Plan 2020 (GP2020). This draftdocument now prescribes a plan forland use through the year 2020 in termsof commercial, residential with densityfactors, and green space/preserve areas.Most community residents have heardthe term “Smart Growth,” which incurrent vernacular means the same asdensity (or “intensity” in professionalplanning terminology). Translated to

See PLANNING on page 4

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current practice and land useplanning philosophy, SmartGrowth primarily means higherdensity (more dwellings per acre)in existing urban and suburbancommunities: increased density forundeveloped residential parcels,and retroactive “upzoning” foralready developed parcels (to allowmore dwellings than currently existon developed parcels). In theoverall land use planning for SanDiego County, there is a somewhatanomalous position being taken inthat in the completely rural outlyingareas, many large parcels are beingsubjected to retroactive“downzoning” (for example, a 40acre parcel previously designatedfor 1 dwelling per 4 acres, maynow be downzoned to 1 dwellingper 40 acres); this philosophy isunderstandably causing much

consternation to land owners who havebeen holding large parcels of land formany years in anticipation of futuredevelopment.

Some sections of our GMIAcommunity and the greater VDO area ofresponsibility, have long been developed,some even before current zoningordinances were enacted. Some of theCasa de Oro area falls into thatcategory. When something has beendeveloped before a new zoningordinance is enacted, that building orfacility is allowed to remain in use asoriginally developed (referred to asbeing “grandfathered in”), andretroactive zoning restrictions are notapplied. This means that a commercialbuilding or lot in Casa de Oro that wasgrandfathered in or permitted underearly zoning requirements is allowedcontinued use, as long as the usepurpose is not changed (but a

Page 4 GMIA Viewpoints

commercial building or lot is allowed achange in tenants as long as the generalcommercial use is not changed - i.e., aused car lot can be established in placeof a former plumbing shop). There isnot much the VDO, GMIA or theCounty can do to alter this typesituation, unless changes are proposedthat require building permits. In Casa deOro, building permits triggerCommunity Site Plan Review.

VDO Reviews the PlanA major review of all land in theunincorporated portions of San DiegoCounty is in process, with the objectiveof updating the County General Plan.Each local planning group has reviewedthe section of GP2020 for its planningarea, and made advisory recommenda-tions regarding the plan for its localarea. VDO has completed this task andprovided input to the San Diego CountyPlanning Commission. VDO has takenthe position that the existing GeneralPlan reflects the desired and appropriateplanning and land use for the VDOplanning area, and should not bechanged. Since GMIA has a highlyvested interest in the planning structureof the VDO section of GP2020, yourGMIA Board of Directors stays in tunewith the content of GP2020 for theVDO and surrounding planning areas.To that end, at the most recent Hearingbefore the County Planning Commissionat which the various local planninggroups made their presentationsregarding recommendations for changesor status quo for GP2020, a GMIAposition statement was made to theCounty Planning Commission endorsingthe VDO recommendation that the VDOsection of GP2020 should not bechanged. The GMIA endorsement wasstated as follows:

1. The Grossmont-Mt. Helix area isa combination of highly urbandevelopment adjacent to semi-rural and estate residentialareas.

2. We estimate that it is 98% built-out and our members arepleased with the quality of life itprovides.

3. There are exceptions:a.Traffic on our thoroughfares

such as Avocado Boulevardand Fuerte Drive is congestedto the point of beingdangerous for our residents.

b.The urban area of Casa deOro has no developed parksto serve the many apartmentcomplexes there.

c.Crime appears to be on theincrease.

4. All indications are that build-outof our area and surroundingcommunities has pushed ourCounty infrastructure andservices to their extreme limits.

PLANNING, continued from page 3

The Valle de Oro CommunityPlanning Area encompasses

approximately nineteensquare miles of the

unincorporated portion of theCounty of San Diego. ThePlanning Area is located tothe south of the City of El

Cajon and to the east of thecity of La Mesa. Several

neighborhoods are locatedwithin Valle de Oro. Those

include: Casa de Oro, MountHelix, Vista Grande Hills and

Rancho San Diego.

-Valle de Oro Community Plan,San Diego County General Plan

adopted August 25, 1977and amended March 6, 1996

5. Because our roads and Countyservices are highly stressed, noincreases in developmentintensity should be added to ourMt. Helix/Casa de Oro area inthis GP 2020 process.

6. We understand that the Valle deOro Community Plan map meetsthat standard and we recommendthat it be approved withoutallowing increases indevelopment intensity.

Your GMIA Board encourages allGMIA members to take a more focusedinterest in the planning and land useprocess that is so vital to thepreservation of the quality of life weenjoy and desire to continue for ourcommunity. Keep in mind this is notabout being “anti-business”, particularlyanti-building and construction industry.Most of us who reside in our wonderfulGMIA community obviously own abusiness or work for a business as ameans of livelihood. In fact there arenumerous owners of building contractorand subcontractor firms residing in ourcommunity.

However, the majority of ourcommunity members, including most ofthe owners of building industry firms,want to preserve the premium nature ofour GMIA residential community, andnot have our way of life impacted byunwarranted high-density residentialdevelopment. Such previous proposalsas that for 650 apartment type dwellingunits on 40+ acres of vacant land rightin the middle of prime residentialproperties is something none of us wantto see.

Therefore, we urge you to beproactive and keep up with the variousissues involved in the final developmentof our community area, and besupportive of the VDO and urge them tocontinue the fine accomplishments theyhave made on behalf of our communityto date. (Readers are also encouraged toread the separate article in this issueabout VDO recent elections). n

GMIA Viewpoints Page 5

Some Thoughts Regarding Membership

New Anti-Parking Barrier. If youhaven’t trekked up to the Park recently,you haven’t noticed the latest addition:installation of a post and chain anti-parking barrier along both sides of thesouthwest part of the road around thePark. Although it may strike some com-munity members as less than attractive,this installation was recommended bylaw enforcement agencies, and installedby the County. It was designed andimplemented as a major attempt tothwart the illegal parking along the his-toric wall with attendant illegal drinkingand drug use. If it does the job and ille-gal parking becomes a non-issue, thisinstallation will be removed.

Plans To Improve And Beautify TheLower Parking Lot. The Mt. HelixPark Foundation has just announced anew project to improve and beautify thelower parking lot for attendees to eventsat Mt. Helix Park. This large parkingarea, 3+ acres, was included in the pri-vate Yawkey Trust that established thePark for public use and enjoyment in1929. The original 3+ acre integral par-cel was unfortunately cut up into 3 seg-ments by the County when they re-routed County roads through the privateparcel. The small dirt lot on the northside of Vivera and the area south of Pin-

Mt. Helix Park

nacle Lane, are all part of the originalparcel. The fire station was sited by theCounty on the largest segment. TheFoundation has now implemented aproject to smooth out and improve all 3segments of the parking lot, includingnew landscaping and irrigation systems,as well as an attractive rail fence to de-lineate the property boundaries. Sincethis parcel is located in one or ourprime residential areas, communitymembers are encouraged to volunteerto help with this project. The Founda-tion can be contacted by email throughthe website, or by calling (619) 588-0491.

There Is A New Expanded WebsiteFor The Park! A much needed andvery complete website has now beendesigned and implemented for Mt. HelixPark and the Mt. Helix Park Founda-

tion. This new website now containsdescriptions, history, and the necessaryapplication process for use of the Park.It contains a lot of good pictures – evenone showing the first wedding per-formed at the Park in 1926 that unitedRuth and Milt Jackson in marriage. Weencourage you to go the website andbrowse through the whole thing –should prove highly enjoyable and infor-mative. The website address iswww.mthelixpark.org.

The Park Is Closed To The Public AtNight. In view of the heightened secu-rity climate throughout the U.S. and inrecognition that vandalism, crime, anddrug dealing are still problems at thePark after the gates are closed ½ hourafter sunset each day, and in cooperationwith law enforcement agencies, theFoundation has confirmed the policy thatthe Park is closed to the public at nightafter the gates are locked. This applies topedestrian as well as vehicle traffic andextends from when the gates are lockedat night until they are opened in themorning ½ hour before sunrise. Thispolicy is now being enforced by both theCHP and the Sheriff’s Department. Per-mitted use of the Park at night for autho-rized events is still allowed by applicationto the Foundation. n

ROADSResurfacing, closures,potholes, etc.

LAND USEZoning violations and otherillegal land use

LAW ENFORCEMENT

ANIMAL SITUATIONSAnimal Control

HAZARDOUS MATERIALDISPOSAL

GENERAL INFORMATIONFor categories not listed above

Department of Public Works1-877-684-8000

or www.co.san-diego.ca.usDept. of Public Works section

online road service request

Code Enforcement

619-441-4264

911 if Emergencyor Sheriff Dept. (Lemon Grove)

619-337-2000

619-236-2341

877-713-2784for guidance & information

858-694-3900

619-596-5100to make an appt. for disposal

911 if Emergencyor La Mesa Police Department

619-667-1400

911 if Emergencyor El Cajon Police619-579-3311

619-667-1450 619-441-1658

619-667-1436 619-441-1580

619-287-5696to make an appt. for disposal

619-596-5100to make an appt. for disposal

619-436-6611 619-441-1776

Code Enforcement

619-667-1177Code Enforcement

619-441-1716

County of San Diego City of La Mesa City of El CajonHelpful Telephone Numbers

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Page 6 GMIA Viewpoints

La Vida Real appears to be a very niceand attractive addition to ourcommunity.

Can We Confirm That FuerteDrive Is Beautiful?Most of us whodrive alongFuerte Driverecognize that itis a verybeautifulroadway.Despite theheavy trafficcurrentlyexperienced onthis communityroadway, we still see beauty along thistraffic corridor. That being the case,please be aware that there is amovement underway to have FuerteDrive designated as a “ScenicHighway”. There appears to bejustification for, and benefits to bederived from, this objective.

If you are interested in moreinformation on this movement, pleasecontact community member MarySweeney: email her atmymthelixhome@hotmailcom, or callher at (619) 593-1721. You can alsofind more information on the ScenicHighway Program by checking the

following website: www.dot.ca.gov/hq/LandArch/scenic_highways/scenic_hwy.htm.

The Chicken Ranch Is BeingPurchased By A Developer!Already noted elsewhere in this issue,the last large (approximating 25+ acres)vacant parcel in our GMIA membershiparea (at the intersection of Fuerte Driveand Damon Lane) has now been sold toa developer, Reynolds Communities.Many of our community members arealready watching for the next move onthis property with keen interest. Weencourage all GMIA members to staytuned in to happenings with thisproperty, since it is located in one of ourprime residential areas.

Of Major Concern: Crime Is Up InOur Community!Although not widely publicized in theprint or TV media, there has been analarming and unfortunate increase in theamount of crime experienced in ourcommunity. Almost unheard of a decadeago, there have been multiple reports ofbreak-ins and forced entries in ourGMIA community. GMIA members andall community residents should beaware of this trend and take precautionsaccordingly. Your GMIA Board isworking with law enforcement officialsto quantify this issue, and will give youa more extensive report in the next issueof our newsletter. In the meantime,

ensure that all doors and windows arelocked when you leave your house, andavoid situations that afford “crimes ofopportunity”, such as leaving yourgarage door in the open position.

NeedInformationAbout GMIA?Although we havean ample supply ofbeautifulbrochures, andstacks of application form/remittanceenvelopes for use in mailings to newhomeowners or in response to inquiriesabout our GMIA organization, most ofour members do not retain suchmaterial. Such material is available to allmembers at our Annual Dinner Meeting,but still many of you end up withouthardcopy information to pass along tofriends and neighbors in yourdiscussions with them about GMIA.

Do not fear- help is now available!Your GMIA has a permanent website onwhich is posted all the information oneneeds to know to fully understand thepurposes and goals of GMIA, includinga membership application form. Thiswebsite also contains the latest issues ofthe GMIA newsletter. So, membersnever need be at loss for a source ofinformation regarding our GMIAorganization – just refer interestedfriends and neighbors to our website:www.gmia.net. n

HAPPENINGS, continued from page 2

As everyone knows, at our AnnualDinner Meeting we take anappropriate amount of time to coverwhat has been going on in our GMIAcommunity as well as the overallprogress and financial status of ourGMIA organization. Then wetraditionally cap the evening with aspecial guest speaker addressing asubject of interest to our membership.To that end, we want to advise youthat we will be honored to present…

DR. RICHARD LEDERER

as our guest speaker at this year’sAnnual Dinner Meeting on May 12. Ifyou have never had the pleasure ofhearing him speak you are in for atreat! Richard Lederer is the author ofmore than 3,000 books and articlesabout language and humor, includinghis best selling Anguished Englishseries. Dr. Lederer’s syndicatedcolumn, “Looking at Language,”appears in newspapers and magazinesthroughout the United States. He hasbeen elected International Punster ofthe Year and been profiled in magazines

as diverse as The New Yorker,People, and the National Enquirer. Heis language columnist for TheToastmaster, Pages, and the Farmers’Almanac and co-hosts a weekly one-hour radio show, “A Way WithWords,” on KPBS public radio.

Don’t miss the next GMIA AnnualDinner Meeting on May 12, 2003!Mark your calendar now for thisimportant community event (aseparate announcement will come toyou in the mail in the next fewweeks). n

Special Speaker for the GMIA Annual Meeting

GMIA Viewpoints Page 7

Traffic in Our Community

Community Group Seeks Ways To Calm TrafficOn Our Community RoadwaysA group of community members have formed an ad hocassociation with the objective of working to find ways andinfluence government entities to “calm” the traffic on ourcommunity roadways. Initially focused in the area of Calavoand Fuerte Drives, residents have formed a community groupknown as “mHANDS” (Mt. Helix Associated NeighborsDeveloping Safe Streets). This active group has severalobjectives, including informing other community residentsand soliciting their support in trying to reduce traffic speedand congestion, particularly at dangerous locations such asCalavo and Fuerte.

Hazardous traffic conditions are caused by the currentinordinate amount of traffic being experienced on ourcommunity roadways. The efforts of the mHANDScommunity group are articulated in phrases such as “Mt.Helix residents banding together to take back their streetsfrom speeding motorists.” They are working with your GMIABoard of Directors, the VDO Community Planning Group, theCHP, and other formal entities to achieve their objectives.They are indeed working on a serious community issue, andall GMIA members and community residents are encouragedto support their efforts.

There appears to be much substance in the efforts ofmHANDS. They have already achieved significantaccomplishments, including the closure of the Avocadoaccess onto Calavo Drive, installation of “candlestick”markers at intersections, raising the awareness level of manycommunity residents, and hosting meetings to discussspecific issues. If you desire more information on themHANDS association, and/or would like to join with them inworking to accomplish their objectives, please call DianeBernal at 619-442-4815 or Donna LaFreniere at 619-749-4211.

Stop Signs and Stop Lights: A Way Of Life!The increased traffic on our community roadways has beenradically significant in the last decade. As oft reported andconfirmed in this newsletter, most of the extra traffic is theresult of accelerated build out of East County without parallelor advance establishment of the required traffic flowinfrastructure. The missing 94/125 transition ramps are aprime example of traffic infrastructure deficiencies. Thus,commuter traffic from the newer East County commercialand residential developments seek access to and from SR94and I8 using our community roadways, including but notlimited to Fuerte Drive.

New traffic control stop signs and stop lights are on theincrease. As traffic has continued to increase and beconstituted by a significant number of “commuters” using ourcommunity roadways for transit only, this has resulted in anincreasing number of unsafe intersection situations. The stoplight at Fuerte and Grandview was considered necessary andinstalled several years ago, as was the stop light at Fury andAvocado. With the development of the new Kaiser MedicalFacility at Fuerte and Avocado, there will not be a new stoplight at Avocado and Louisa, but there will be a center“pocket” turn lane into the Kaiser parking lot entry/exit(opposite Louisa Ave.). A new U-Turn capability will also beinstalled for northbound traffic at the stop light for Fury andAvocado. Additionally, a stop light at Challenge and Avocadohas been placed on the County’s priority list.

Many of the intersections of our once casual trafficroadways have already been fitted with All-Way stop signs:Calavo and Challenge, Nabal and Challenge, Resmar Road andResmar Way, etc. It appears there may be a need for moresuch All-Way stop signs at other once-sleepy communityintersections. The latest proposal comes from the residentsaround the intersection of Grandview and Resmar Road. Thetraffic speed and accident rates at this intersection appear towarrant installation of an All-Way stop sign at thisintersection. Morerequests areunfortunately in thecards. Many of usregret to see theproliferation oftraffic controldevices, but thesafety of ourcommunityresidents (and thepublic in general)drives this trend. n

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Page 8 GMIA Viewpoints

The Highway 94freeway, on thesouthern boundary of our

GMIA membership area, is inreality the southern gateway toour community. To that end, allGMIA community residentsshould be interested and involvedin the status and plans for thisvital traffic infrastructurecomponent.

As you drive the section ofHighway 94 along the southernboundary of ourcommunity, it isobvious that this majorroadway strikes one asappearing rather“barren” at this stage.This condition has notgone without notice bycommunity membersas well as governmententities. Cognizance ofthe less-than-attractiveappearance of Highway94 in our area hasfinally resulted in amajor project toimprove the appearanceof this traffic artery inour area.

The genesis of aproject for landscapingthe Highway 94 right-of-way in our area,was the focus providedby our CountySupervisor DianneJacob. Recognizingthat something neededto be done about the appearance of thishighway right-of-way, Dianneencouraged community leaders andCALTRANS officials to form acommittee to work on a new Highway94 Landscaping Project. This resulted in

Let’s All Pitch In to BeautifyHighway 94 Right-of-Way!

the formation of an ad hoccommittee composed of:Dianne and her staff;representatives from GMIA,the VDO and Spring ValleyPlanning Groups, andCALTRANS; and severalcommunity volunteers. This adhoc committee has been atwork several months,including the conduct ofseveral public forums topresent progress reports andgain input from other

community members.The Committee’sefforts have resulted ina tentative landscapeplan for the Highway94 right-of-way areabasically from justwest of KenwoodDrive to the area justeast of AvocadoBoulevard.

The ad hocHighway 94Landscaping ProjectCommittee has made itvery clear that allinterested communitymembers are welcometo help on this project.If you are interested inworking on thiscommunity project,there is still ampleopportunity to help inthe planning stage, andmuch VOLUNTEERhelp will be neededwhen the project starts

the implementation stage. To volunteer,or get more information about thisproject, please call Ginny March at(619) 469-8465. Don’t be left out – getinvolved in this vital community projectnow! n

Landscape ArchitectMaps of the

Proposed Improvements

KENWOOD DRIVEINTERCHANGE

SWEETWATER SPRINGSBLVD. INTERCHANGE

AVOCADO DRIVEINTERCHANGE

GMIA Viewpoints Page 9

By now many of us in the Grossmont –Mt. Helix area have either heard aboutor read the November Union Tribunearticle regarding the problems thatneighbors have experienced with themany obvious code violations (multipletenants) and disturbances that have beenassociated with the residence at 10270Fuerte Drive. The problems with thisproperty have been numerous. Theyhave included a significant number ofexcess noise and disturbancecomplaints, building code violations/citations, and law enforcement actions.Area neighbors have responded with abarrage of complaints to County CodeEnforcement, State Department ofAlcohol and Drug Programs, Sheriff’sDepartment and County SupervisorDianne Jacob.

The difficulties in finding solutionsto the problems associated with thisresidence have been three fold: (1) howto restore peace in a neighborhoodwithout violating the rights of those

Code Enforcementwho are viewed as part of the problem;(2) the authority limitations of therespective County and State agencies;and (3) the general lack of coordinationamong the various agencies.

Fortunately for community residentsand the public in general, on January 10,2003, Supervisor Dianne Jacob wasable to bring together all of theappropriate County agencies andneighborhood representatives to discussthe problems associated with thisresidence and plan a coordinated courseof action to help solve them. As a resultof this meeting, a primary course ofaction was designed and implemented.As it turns out, this residential propertyis still titled in the names of a deceasedcouple for whom no Probate action hadever been initiated by the heirs foralmost two years. To overcome thissituation the County stepped forwardand presented a plan whereby theCounty Public Administrator’s officewould file a request to the San Diego

Probate Court to be appointed theExecutor of the Estate. That requestwas heard before the Probate Court onFebruary 10 and approved. The plannow is for the Public Administrator,acting as the Executor of the Estate, toremove the multiple tenants from theresidence, sell the house, and distributethe proceeds to the heirs after all claimsand fines have been paid. Unless theProbate Court Ruling is appealed, thisshould be the end to this seriousproblem in our residential community.

Neighborhood problems such as thistypically emerge over time, they usuallynever get better on their own, and theyrequire time and energy to resolve. Theimportant lessons for us to learn fromthis situation are that to resolve suchproblems we must be willing to speakout, become involved and not give upuntil we have a resolution – the propertyowners who have worked hard andpersevered to resolve this situation aregood community role models for us all.

From time to time members of yourGMIA Board hear various complaintsabout the perceived less-than-attractiveappearance of the general Casa de Oroarea. The nature of the comments andcomplaints vary, but one oft cited themealludes to the many used car lots inCasa de Oro. Quite often criticism isaimed at GMIA and our local VDOplanning group for their apparentinattention and inaction to this perceivedproblem.

In objectively analyzing thissituation, one must recognize the natureof our County zoning ordinances and/orthe lack of applicability thereof. At therisk of being redundant to theinformation contained in another articlein this newsletter, the followingconditions and understandings must bepart of any analysis of the Casa de Orosituation:• Some sections of our GMIA

community and the greater VDO

area of responsibility have beendeveloped before current zoningordinances were enacted. Severalareas of Casa de Oro fall into thatcategory.

• When something has beendeveloped before a new zoningordinance is enacted, that buildingor facility is allowed to remain inuse as originally developed (referredto as being “grandfathered in”), andretroactive zoning restrictions arenot applied. One can observe manyexamples of this situation in ourcommunity.

• Any commercial building or lot inCasa de Oro that was grandfatheredin or permitted under early zoningrequirements is allowed continueduse, as long as the use purpose isnot changed (but a commercialbuilding or lot is allowed a changein tenants as long as the generalcommercial use is not changed —

i.e., a used car lot can beestablished in place of a formerplumbing shop). There is not muchthe VDO, GMIA or the County cando to alter this type situation, unlessbuilding permits are required.

Having said all of that, we urge allGMIA members to be very watchfuland report any perceived zoning codeviolations. Your GMIA Board itself isstill pursuing proper code enforcementregarding the former fire stationproperty in Casa de Oro, but thatsituation has thus far proved to be quitea challenge and the desired level ofsuccess not yet achieved. If you haveany ideas or would like to help in sometype improvement program for the Casade Oro area, we recommend that youcontact Gloria Goodman, President ofthe Casa de Oro Business Association,at phone number (619) 469-9276, andoffer your help. n

Issues With A Residential Property On Fuerte Drive

Perceived Appearance of the Casa De Oro Area

Page 10 GMIA Viewpoints

New Cellular Antenna FacilityOrdinanceThe County is currently workingtoward the implementation of a newamendment to the Zoning Ordinancerelating to wireless telecommunicationsfacilities, more commonly referred to ascellular antenna facilities. The CountyPlanning Commission has already heldseveral hearings on this amendment, andit is now being prepared for CountyBoard of Supervisors review, hearingand approval.

The stated purpose of thisamendment is to provide incentives to

place cellular antenna facilities incommercial and industrial zones and toallow the telecommunications industry afaster and more clearly defined processfor obtaining permitting approval fortheir desired installations. However, asgood as this might sound, the proposedpermitting approval process also makesit easier to locate cellular antennafacilities in residential neighborhoods.Some of the issues of concernregarding this amendment relate to:♦ Impacts on surrounding property

values♦ Increases in visual blight♦ Electromagnetic radiation risks

♦ Size of above ground supportequipment

♦ By-right installation of equipment inroadside utility easements

♦ Limitations on property owners’rights of appeal

Although some of these issues arevery controversial, there continues to beconcerns regarding them amongproperty owners. No one can say thatour communities have not benefited tosome degree as a result of the cellulartelephone revolution, but this gain hasnot been without a price, all of whichhas yet to be tallied.

Planning & Land Use

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As you have noticed, the KaiserPermanente Clinic at the corner ofFury Lane and Avocado Boulevard isonly a few months away fromcompletion. It will house doctors’offices, a lab, and a pharmacy, andhopefully the positive addition of anew clinic in the community willoutweigh the perceived trafficproblems at that intersection. Therewas much discussion with neighbors

on Nabal and Louisa as well as theoffice of County Supervisor DianneJacob about the traffic tie-ups thatcould occur. After all the dust hadsettled, the Board of Supervisorsallowed Kaiser full access with theaddition of a left turn pocket into thefacility from southbound Avocado and aU-Turn pocket from northbound tosouthbound Avocado at the Furyintersection. There also will be a traffic

warning light on southbound Avocadonear Nabal. All of this is with theunderstanding that the traffic situationwill be monitored for six months afterthe facility opens and, if need be,changes will be made at that time.

Additionally, a traffic signal atChallenge has been placed on theCounty’s priority list and Kaiser hascontributed $9,500 toward its cost.

The New Kaiser Permanente Medical Clinic

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GMIA Viewpoints Page 11

Your GMIA Board of Directorscurrently believes that the best courseof action for the residents of ourcommunity is to:♦ Be alert to any cellular antenna sites

that are proposed for your area.♦ Become active in your neighborhood

in expressing your views for oragainst such sites.

♦ Become participants in any projectreview actions at the local PlanningGroup level, as well as at CountyPlanning Commission and Board ofSupervisors hearings.

It is currently too early to tellwhether or not the ultimate provisionsof this amendment will providesufficient protection for propertyowners and support their right of appealto the Board of Supervisors. However,regardless of its final provisions, asmembers of our community we muststay actively involved in issues such asthis. If we fail to do so we will beplacing the character of our communityin the hands of those whose solepurpose is commercial enterprise, notcommunity preservation.

Recent Elections For TheValle De Oro Planning Group:What Happened On The Way ToThe Election?Now that the dust has settled on theresults of the November 5, 2002election, your GMIA Board believes thatit is appropriate to provide our memberswith a perspective on GMIA’sinvolvement.

First it is important to note thatGMIA is a non-profit benefitcorporation whose Articles ofIncorporation define its purposes. TheseArticles charge GMIA with theresponsibility to cooperate with anygovernment agencies, private enterpriseofficials and/or public utility leaderswhose activities have an impact on area

residents and property. They also directGMIA to keep informed regardingmatters affecting property rights andproperty owners and to communicatesuch information when appropriate todo so. As such, GMIA generates anddistributes a periodic informationalnewsletter, announcements of variousevents and special notifications dealingwith matters of community interestsuch as candidate endorsements andrecommendations on important ballotissues.

For this election the only candidatesthat required GMIA review andendorsement were those involved withthe Valle de Oro Community PlanningGroup (VDO). Thus, prior to theelection, GMIA’s Election EndorsementCommittee sent informationalquestionnaires to each VDO candidate,evaluated all received responses andconsidered their qualifications andhistory of involvement in ourcommunity. Unfortunately, many of thecandidates failed to respond and thuscould not be considered. From thosewho chose to respond, GMIA selectedwhat were believed to be the bestcandidates – those who had proven theirsupport for our GMIA community andwhose qualifications were appropriatefor the office they were seeking. As hasbeen done for many elections, GMIAthen prepared and mailed a briefcandidate endorsement list.

In a normal election, GMIA’sactivities would be limited simply to themailing of the candidate endorsementinformation. However, this election wasfar from normal. A few weeks prior tothe November 5 election an organizationidentified as “The East County Citizensfor Responsible Planning Slate” putforth an entire replacement slate ofcandidates for the VDO election, noneof whom had been endorsed by GMIA.As part of their campaign theycommitted thousands of dollars to carryout a complete takeover of the VDOelection, including the hiring of aprofessional campaign consultant.

Unfortunately, much of the campaignmaterial produced and distributed bythis counter group was not a truerepresentation of the issues or theactivities of VDO and generated manyconcerns among our members. Inparticular some of our membersquestioned why so much money wasbeing spent to takeover an electioninvolving non-paid positions that havehistorically been filled by candidateswho raise no election money. Someeven wondered if this counter effortwas motivated by special interests,whose long-term objectives werepersonal and not consistent with thebest interests of our community. Othersseemed inclined to believe the campaignmaterial generated by the counter group,because they had nothing with which tocompare it, and subsequently becameconcerned about GMIA’s endorsements.

When GMIA became aware of thisunprecedented situation, it was too lateto publish any clarifying electioninformation. Although some effortswere made to email as many members,neighbors and friends as possible tocreate an awareness of the truth ofwhat was happening, this approach wasnot 100% successful.

The real point of this article is not todecry the details of an election that hasalready passed, but rather to inform ourGMIA membership of the true situationbehind the VDO election. Truth inpolitical campaigns is sometimes ourmost illusive reality. However, without itthere can be no integrity and confidencein what his being done by GMIA or anyother organization who becomesinvolved in the election process. YourGMIA Board of Directors exists toserve the best interests of ourorganization’s membership andcontinues to be committed to endorsingonly candidates it truly believes willserve the best long-term interests of ourcommunity – this is what GMIA did inthis election and will continue to do infuture elections. n

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PRSRT STDUS Postage PaidPERMIT NO. 956SAN DIEGO, CA

P. O. Box 2751La Mesa CA 91943-2751

2003

Sunday, April 20, 6:30 a.m. Shuttle starts at 5:30 a.m.Easter Sunrise Service Pastries and beverages served starting 5:45 a.m.Mt. Helix Park Sponsor: Foothills United Methodist Church

Sunday, May 4, Noon to 4 p.m. A detailed announcement will be mailed to all GMIA membersGMIA Annual Art & Garden Tour Sponsor: GMIA

Monday, May 12, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Sponsor: GMIAGMIA Annual Dinner Meeting Dinner is served at 6:00 p.m.La Mesa Community Center Reservation form will be mailed to all GMIA members

Sunday, December 14, 7 – 8:30 p.m. Sponsor: Mt. Helix Park FoundationAnnual “Caroling on Mt. Helix” No Shuttle – walk up by candlelight starting at 6:45 p.m.Mt. Helix Park

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW FOR THESE IMPORTANT EVENTS!

Calendar of Events