SANDAG ADDS ADVISORY MEMBER TO REPRESENT UNINCORPORATED AREAS

By Jessyka Heredia

December 10, 2023 (San Diego County)—Friday, the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) unanimously voted in both the Executive Committee meeting and the Board of Directors meeting to approve adding an advisory member to represent the unincorporated areas of San Diego County.

Earlier this week, ECM reported that all 18 Planning Groups in the unincorporated area banded together to form the Association of Planning Groups-San Diego County (APG) in order to put pressure on SANDAG to include an advisory board member to represent the unincorporated communities. Previously there was no one on the board to be their voice.

In a press release APG commends SANDAG for “their historic vote” adding, “This vote by SANDAG recognizes the contributions and importance of the unincorporated area residents to the San Diego Region and demonstrates SANDAG’s commitment to their inclusion and equity mission statement.”

According to APG, “The SANDAG Advisory Board Member will be elected from the membership of the newly formed Association of Planning Groups - San Diego County.

Travis Lyon, Chair of the Alpine Community Planning Group, expressed, “This is great news.”

ECM reached out to Robin Joy Maxson, the current Chair for APG to get her response on the vote. Maxson stated, “Personally, I am excited and inspired that both the unincorporated communities and SANDAG were able to advance a critical partnership in planning for the San Diego Region. I believe in the good will of those entrusted with leadership and this vote by SANDAG demonstrates what can be accomplished when the unincorporated area speaks up and SANDAG listens. This is a win for everyone.”