|
|
|
|
|
"Mini Dorm" Violations
A real estate broker and a property owner have been found guilty of violating a San Diego city ordinance that cracks down on "mini-dorms", privately owned homes rented out to multiple college students which have code violations.
The recent case sheds light on a recurring issue around the SDSU campus.
Keith Henderson, the broker, and Shawn Ann Sullivan, the property owner, both pleaded guilty in San Diego Superior Court to maintaining a single-family home occupied by six or more adults without obtaining the high-occupancy permit.
The property, located near Montezuma Road & 55th Street, housed six SDSU students. Henderson, who served as property manager, and Sullivan operate other "mini-dorms" around campus. As part of court terms all managed properties must be to code by mid-July.
Henderson pleaded guilty to one count of maintaining a structure without a required building permit, one count of unlawfully reducing off-street parking and one count of maintaining a single-family home occupied by six or more adults without obtaining the required permit.
He is required to pay a $3,000 fine, $4,912.79 in investigative costs, and serve 30 days of public work service, and will be required to complete a three-hour ethics course for property managers.
Sullivan pleaded guilty to one count of maintaining a single-family home occupied by six or more adults without obtaining the required permit and is required to pay the city of San Diego more than $3,154.71 in investigative costs.
The city of San Diego ordinance that requires landlords to obtain residential high-occupancy permits for homes with six or more adults has been active since 2008. There are an estimated 30 plus similar cases that have been opened in the College area since the fall.
More than a dozen of those homes have been brought in to compliance, some homeowners have been fined, and a few violations have been sent to the City Attorney's office.
The CACC actively works with Code Enforcement in identifying properties with both RHOP and building code violations. Homeowners can contact CACC for help with properties in their areas.
|
|
CACC Anounces New fund for Schools & Other Non-Profit Groups
The CACC is pleased to announce that the board has established a new fund which will allow us to support deserving groups in the College Area. With this fund, we can provide small donations (max. $50) to schools and other non-profit organizations holding fund-raisers for projects that will benefit the College Area community.
Applicants must be located within the boundaries of the College Area and hold non-profit status. There is a limit of two donations per year to each organization.
If your College Area organization is holding a fundraiser and would like to request a donation, please submit your application to info@collegearea.org or attend one of our meetings and submit your request during the Public Comment period at the start of the meeting.
|
|
Actions of Interest Taken by the CACC Board on May 9th
Among other actions taken by the board at the May 9 meeting was creation of an ad hoc committee to consider possible uses for the so-called "Dollar per Ticket Fund".
This fund was created in 1995 to finance projects that would mitigate possible impacts of the new arena then being built by San Diego State University, previously known as Cox Arena and now known as Viejas Arena. For every ticket sold for large commercial events at the Arena, a dollar was placed in this special fund. The fund is used for traffic control during events, as well as for related capital improvements.
With the fund set to expire in January 2015, when all money reverts to SDSU, this seemed like an opportune time to consider possible uses for the now substantial funds accumulated in the account. All proposed uses must, of course, be approved by the three parties to the agreement: the City of San Diego, San Diego State University, and the College Area Community Council.
The CACC also voted on May 9 to request that the City take immediate action to begin maintenance of the landscaped median on Fairmount Avenue, just south of Interstate 8 at Montezuma Road. As the western entrance to the College Area, it is important to residents that this area should remain attractive and welcoming to all who enter. For many years, the median foliage had been maintained by CalTrans.
However, CalTrans informed residents about six months ago that the median is actually the responsibility of the City, and that the City needs to assume this responsibility. To date, the City has not begun maintenance or watering of this landscaping, which is now starting to deteriorate.
With the summer season approaching, the matter has taken on increased urgency, as the plantings need water to survive. We are working with City and CalTrans staff to try to resolve this issue, and are hopeful that a resolution will soon be forthcoming.
For more information about the activities of the College Area Community Council and the College Area Community Planning Board, check out our website, www.CollegeArea.org.
The next meeting of the College Area Community Council and Community Planning Board is Wednesday, June 12 at 7 p.m. at the College-Rolando Library, 6600 Montezuma Road.
|
|
CentrePoint Construction Resumes
As many of you may know, Carmel Partners resumed construction on May 28, 2013 on the CentrePoint site at 63rd and El Cajon Blvd. In April, in response to strong objections by the Rolando Community Council (RCC), the City had placed an administrative hold on the project. Carmel Partners, citing damages related to the delay, filed a lawsuit on May 5 in the U.S. Ninth District Court challenging the City's hold.
Although both Mayor Bob Filner and 9th District Councilmember Marti Emerald supported the neighborhood's position to halt construction, the fact that significant construction had already been accomplished under city-authorized permits proved an insurmountable obstacle.
The City Attorney's office concluded that, since permits had been issued and construction had begun, a lawsuit would be difficult to defend. The City Attorney recommended that the City compromise with the site developer and allow construction to resume. The City Council accepted that recommendation.
Councilmember Emerald's office posted a New Release on May 24th stating that, "The two have now signed a settlement which includes several concessions for the surrounding communities."
The release does not list the details of the concessions except to mention that the rental agreements will be leased by the unit in lieu of by the bed.
Councilmember Emerald has committed to work with Rolando to contain the impacts of the project. These include investing city funds into neighboring Clay Park and the infrastructure surrounding the site.
To see the full news release visit:
http://www.sandiego.gov/citycouncil/cd9/pdf/2013/release130524centerpointe.pdf
|
|
 Downtown Vision
The San Diego population is expected to grow by approximately one million residents in the next 40 years.
As downtown San Diego begins to redefine it's priorities to accommodate our neighborhood of nearly 35,000 residents and 75,000 employees, we're also working to plan responsibly to accommodate some of the expected growth. And because downtown belongs to everyone, the Downtown Partnership is looking to the greater San Diego population for their input for how to do this.
The Downtown San Diego Partnership has been holding region wide town halls throughout San Diego in order to hear input from all San Diegans on how we can responsibly plan for the future of our downtown, and ultimately, our region.
The Downtown Partnership's regional town halls have been going great so we wanted to remind you that it is not too late to get the word out about the town hall in College Area on:
June 11, 2013
College Area/Rolando/Skyline Hills
Location: College/Rolando Library, 6600 Montezuma Road, 92115
Time: 5:30pm to 7:00pm
Interactive Workshop Agenda Items:
- Our Greater San Diego Vision Update
- Preparing for the Future of San Diego
- Accommodating Expected Growth & Why Downtown Matters
- The Planning Process & Action Plan Moving Forward
San Diego is growing. Let's plan responsibly together!
To reserve a space in an upcoming town hall, please contact Jared Emmitt at the Downtown San Diego Partnership at (619) 234-0201 or jemmitt@downtownsandiego.org. For more information about "Our Downtown" Vision, please visit www.downtownsandiego.org.
|
The College Area is Getting its Own Community Garden After over a year of work by a group of volunteers, the new College Area Community Garden is about to break ground on a site just east of the SDSU campus. The site is unique in that it extends over parts of several privately owned properties. The College Area Community Garden (CACG) group is a Board of Directors comprised of a mix of local residents as well as SDSU affiliates. Now they need your help! A "Work Party" has been scheduled for Saturday, June 8th to clear weeds and debris from the location. If you are interested in helping out, please e-mail: CACG.SanDiego@gmail.com. For one day only, June 8, 2013, parking in Lower Lot 'E' at SDSU will be free to College Area Community Garden volunteers and members. Lower Lot 'E' is directly in front of the SDSU Children's Center. Note that not paying for parking anywhere other than Lower Lot 'E" at SDSU that day may result in a SDSU Parking citation. |
You're Invited to the College Area Business District's Summer Business Mixer
The College Area Business District hosts three mixers a year. The community, the business owners, and the commercial property owners from around the College Area are all invited! This is your chance to mix and mingle with people who want to see the College Area continue to become a successful neighborhood to be proud of.
Each mixer is held at a different College Area business and catered by a College Area restaurant. This month Buddha for You will be the location of the mixer. Of course that means meditating on the glories life has to offer! Appetizers and beverages will be served by Sala Thai.
"An idea that is developed and put into action is more important than an idea that exists only as an idea."-Buddha
Take action and join the College Area Business District for a night of networking and sharing ideas as we explore the culture of a 15 year old College Area business: Buddha For You!
Tickets are $10/person and include appetizer and beverage. For more information visit: www.CollegeAreaBID.com.
|
Neighborhood Watch Training Meeting June 18, 2013 at 6:30-7:30pm Sera Mesa Library, Community Room Topic: Safe Streets Now Guest Speaker: Fred Zuckerman The neighborhood watch training improves your watch group's knowledge and activity by providing formal training on issues your watch faces in your neighborhood. Training Provided: - How to take legal action on nuisance property
- What to do if local government cannot assist
- What is the process
- What evidence is needed
- Get educated
- Mediation/Lawsuit
Who Should Attend: - Neighborhood Watch Block Captains
- Community Members taking a role in crime prevention
- Community Volunteers
|
CACC Petitions for Stop Signs at College Gardens Ct. & Yerba Anita Wy. Great news for the residents of College View and Alvarado Estates, the City's Traffic Engineering Division is issuing work orders for the installation of the stop signs. The process may take up to 90 days. Congratulations to all the residents who signed the petition. |
Your CACC membership gives you a 20% Discount at SDSU Recreations Center!
Just go to the sports center and tell the staff that you are a member of the CACC. They will check the CACC membership list and you will be given the discount.
|
|
Construction to Begin Soon on the Mid-City Rapid Bus Project
Staff from the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) will discuss the upcoming construction of the Mid-City Rapid Bus Project on Wednesday, June 12, at the College Area Community Council meeting, at 7 p.m. at the College-Rolando Library.
The Mid-City Rapid Bus Project is a high-frequency, limited-stop service between San Diego State University and Downtown San Diego via Park and El Cajon boulevards.
You are invited to attend the meeting to learn about the construction schedule and activities. The project team will be available to answer questions.
Wednesday, June 12th at 7pm
College/Rolando Library
6600 Montezuma Rd.
|
|
CACC Website & Calendar of Events
Ever want to know more about the CACC but don't know where to look? Try the CACC website! Learn about becoming a member, joining the Board, or what committees are working on. Find a local school, learn the history of the College Area, or find out what neighborhoods are around you.
The Calendar of Events lists local meeting times and events. If your group is putting on an event, email us the information and we'll post it on our event calendar for free! The CACC is here to help support the College Area neighborhoods, non-profits, and schools. Let us know how we can help you.
www.CollegeArea.org
|
|
|
|
|
