Supervisors Joel Anderson and Vice Chair Nora Vargas brought forward Tuesday’s board action

Photo:  in anticipation of Tuesday’s vote, Supervisor Anderson (left, at podium) and Vice Chair Vargas (right) hosted a press conference along with Deborah Norwood Ruane (center-right), founder of the Middlemarch Fund, Lori Holt Pfeiler (center), CEO of Building Industry Association, and Angeli Calinog Hoyos (center-left), Public Affairs Manager at the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. 

October 1, 2022 (San Diego) - At the Tuesday, September 27^th meeting, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a board letter, put forth by County Supervisor Joel Anderson (District 2) and Vice Chair Nora Vargas (District 1), that will direct County staff to develop a pilot workforce housing program.

By Mike Allen

Photo:  view of Fanita Ranch site, looking south from State Route 67

September 15, 2022 (Santee) -- Fanita Ranch, the 3,000-unit residential development that has gone through multiple iterations and designs since the city was founded, was approved once again by the Santee City Council after a four and a half-hour meeting Sept. 14.

This approval, on a 4-0 vote with Councilman Rob McNelis recused due to his property benefiting from the project, comes on the heels of the Council’s 2020 approval of the same project. That was followed by a lawsuit from environmental groups, a referendum that put the issue on this November’s ballot, and a court-order rescinding the 2020 approvals due to wildfire evacuation concerns. The Council used the court’s decision to negate its earlier approval and remove the initiative from the upcoming ballot.

Because Fanita Ranch complied with Santee’s Essential Housing Program, a law the city adopted in August 2021, city officials said last night that approval of the new plan presented last night did not entail amending the city’s General Plan, and hence, there is no requirement to hold a public vote.

By Miriam Raftery

Photos, top left to lower right of antique and vintage butter dishes: EAPG Victorian beaded emerald green, pink Depression glass, Summit Art amethyst carnival glass with embossed holly, Jeanette cobalt blue Depression glass with cherry pattern, vintage ‘60s amber glass, EAPG Delaware glass gold encrusted circa 1899, Fenton hobnail milk glass for weddings, green uranium glass, L.E. Smith aqua Blue Moon and Stars.

August 11, 2022 (San Diego) - Before refrigeration, butter dishes were essentials to keep butter soft and ready to serve.  Many antique and vintage butter dishes from the 1800s and early 1900s are elegant display pieces, some in colored glass or ornately cut crystal.  Older ones are round, from when butter was hand-churned and served in a ball. More recent versions are rectangular, in a variety of colors and styles. 

Source: San Diego Sheriff

July 14, 2022 (San Diego) -- A Fresh Start Farm Stand was held today at San Diego County Sheriff's Department Headquarters in Kearny Mesa. It is part of a landscaping and gardening program at the Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility in Santee and the East Mesa Reentry Facility in Otay Mesa. People in custody learn about growing their own food, eating healthy, working in teams and responsibility.

East County News Service

June 14, 2022 (San Diego ) -- Prospective residents age 62 and over interested in affordable housing units at the new Serving Seniors Residence located in City Heights can still register their interest in the housing complex.

Located in City Heights at Fairmount Avenue and El Cajon Boulevard, the complex includes a total of 195 one-bedroom units for seniors and low-income families.

Residents will have access to onsite activities and case management and can receive no-cost senior meals two blocks away at Potiker City Heights Residence, another Serving Seniors' affordable housing community.

Approximately 50% of the available units have been leased. Prospective applicants can still apply for the remaining units.

Individuals can sign up at  www.hyderco.com or by calling the Senior Apartments Hotline at 619-367-6500.

By Miriam Raftery

May 14, 2022 (Jamul) – Many area residents have fond memories of visits to Jamul Haven, a five-star Victorian-era bed and breakfast inn where William and Marianne Roetzheim hosted overnight guests, as well as an adjacent home where they hosted special events and teas. Now the entire property near Steele Canyon Golf Course is up for sale, including both the historic and new homes, pool and more. 

Photo: La Mesa Townhalls in 2018

By Jonathan Goetz

April 16, 2022 (La Mesa) - Building on a unanimous September 10, 2019 decision by this City's Council in California to join a Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) with Chula Vista, Encinitas, Imperial Beach and San Diego, cityoflamesa.us will livecast a forum on April 27 at 6 p.m. 

Representatives from La Mesa, San Diego Gas & Electric and San Diego Community Power will discuss their design to expand cheaper cleaner electricity.

There are two options to participate:

1. Zoom (https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87079769622)

2. La Mesa Adult Enrichment Center (8450 La Mesa Blvd.)

East County News Service

Photo by Miriam Raftery

April 10, 2022 (Alpine) -- Would you like to be part of creating your own special garden where Monarch Butterflies can thrive? You’re invited to learn more on Saturday April 30th at 1 p.m. at the Alpine Town Hall (Alpine Woman’s Club), 2156 Alpine Blvd in Alpine.

By Monica Lopez, Fair Housing Consultant at CSA San Diego Fair Housing

March 18, 2022 (San Diego’s East County) -- Kim and James are searching for their first home and find an amazing listing for a two-bedroom home in a prime location that is right within their budget. The couple then excitedly calls the listing agent to schedule a tour to view the residence.

By Miriam Raftery and Mike Allen

March 10, 2022 (San Diego) – Citing wildfire evacuation concerns, San Diego Superior Court Judge Katherine Bacal has ruled that the city of Santee and the City Council violated state law in approving Fanita Ranch, HomeFed’s long-planned 3,000 home development.  The project would be built on more than 2,600 acres of fire-prone hillsides in the city’s northwest section.

The ruling found that the city’s environmental review of the project was inadequate, violating California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) by failing to adequately disclose how the development would affect wildfire evacuations and safety in the surrounding community.

The Judge also slammed the city for its last-minute removal of the Magnolia Avenue extension from the project just six days before approving the project’s EIR, even though that extension had been touted as a key wildfire evacuation route. This was inadequate for public review or evaluation of impacts on neighbors along other connector roads should an evacuation be needed. In addition, the judge found, “the City’s decision not to recirculate the EIR violated CEQA.”

By Miriam Raftery

February 17, 2022 (San Diego) – The state’s new Vehicle Miles Traveled Law seeks to reduce greenhouse gases by requiring fees of developers for projects that result in vehicles traveling farther than the regional average.  Projects where drivers travel 15% fewer miles than the regional average, such as infill developments near roads, jobs, and transit, can be built without costly studies and mitigation required of other projects.

So last week, San Diego Supervisors voted 3-2 to attempt to balance housing needs with the state’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, in a two-phase approach.

By Elijah McKee

Photo: CC by NC via Bing

February 15, 2022 (La Mesa) — This past September, the State of California passed a pivotal housing law called Senate Bill 9. Now, like many localities around the state, the City of La Mesa is charged with considering how to best implement the legislation with local ordinances — such as the one that passed the City Council last Tuesday night. 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: CC by SA via Bing 

January 16, 2022 (San Diego) – California homeowners who have fallen behind on housing payments due to pandemic-related hardships can now apply for help to pay back payments through the California Mortgage Relief program, which is funded by the 2021 federal American Rescue plan Act’s Homeowners Assistance Fund.  Qualified applicants do not have to repay any funds awarded.

By José A. Álvarez, County of San Diego Communications Office

January 12, 2021 (Escondido) - The County today broke ground on a new 50-unit apartment complex for low-income seniors and older people who are homeless and have a serious mental illness.

By Miriam Raftery 

December 28, 2021 (San Diego) – The County Planning Commission will host a special meeting on January 7 at 9 a.m. to hear an update on Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) as well as 13 items that Supervisors directed staff to evaluate related to transportation impacts of future development projects. Below are details in a letter sent to stakeholders from the County’s Planning and Development Services Department.