Despite a scorcher of a day, the College Area Community Garden Open House was a rousing good time, with about 150 visitors and lots of cold drinks and organic fruits and veggies.  The crowd applauded wildly when SDSU President Eliot Hirshman made a surprise announcement that SDSU would allocate an additional $10,000 for work on the garden, which is a collaborative effort between the College Area community and SDSU. 

What's next for the garden?  More work, of course!  There will be work parties on three Saturdays: October 4, October 25, and November 8, from 8:00  am to 1:00 pm +. Kellog's Garden Products has generously donated hundreds of bales of special amended organic soil, and volunteers are needed to help place the soil into the empty raised planter beds.   

To find out what to bring, and let them know you're coming, please contact http://cacg.sandiego@gmail.com

Parking is free for registered volunteers.   

Free Bus Rides  

Saturday, October 11 

On Tuesday, August 26, 2014 Judge Kathryn Bacal ruled that Rolandans for Quality Infill Development (RQUID) did not bring suit in a timely fashion and hence could not proceed to trial on the law and facts of the case.

How did this happen?  Judge Bacal accepted Carmel's contention that the timeline for RQUID's legal challenge under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) began when the rough grading permit was issued.  By this determination, the suit was filed after the 180 day legal window for challenges.  The judge's decision hinged on the fact that the city determined early on that the project could proceed magisterially, in an expedited fashion, avoiding CEQA review and community review.  The decision also relied on outdated City Municipal Code definition of a dormitory.

RQUID's position, argued skillfully by Attorney Craig Sherman, was that the community was unable to know that a dormitory was being built at the onset of the rough grading and would not have legal standing to challenge the project until February 2013 when plans were approved and the decision was made available to the public.  RQUID argued that this was the appropriate date to trigger the CEQA countdown.  Using this construct, the RQUID suit met the timeline requirements.

This technical ruling is a big disappointment and is believed to be in error.  Consideration is being given to the feasibility of an appeal and to other avenues of redress.  The practical and legal effect of the ruling seems to support and condone that critical voices and rights are foreclosed even before critical land use decisions are made final with no transparency or accountability. 

Speaking to Rolandans in the courtroom, Judge Bacal acknowledged community concerns and dedication.  She encouraged the community to work with our councilmember and City officials to address code issues and find political solutions.  The RQUID leadership will be considering next steps and welcomes your comments. 

New Neighborhood Parking Regulations

The San Diego City Council adopted a new Neighborhood Parking Protection Ordinance that restricts overnight parking of "oversized vehicles, non-motorized vehicles and recreational vehicles". This ordinance is authorized by Sections 86.0138 through 86.0143 of the San Diego Municipal Code.
Oversized vehicles are defined as any vehicle, including any attached trailers, vehicles or loads thereon, that exceeds 27' in length AND 7' in height. Non-motorized vehicles include open and closed trailers with or without loads.

Recreational vehicles owners may obtain a permit allowing overnight parking. A permit is valid for one 24-hour period. Permit applicants may obtain up to three consecutive days (72 hours total) at one time. Applicants may purchase up to 72 days of permits per year. The permit is only valid on the same block as the resident's address.
Recreational Vehicles are defined as "any camp trailer, camper, trailer coach, or house car," in the Vehicle Code, or, "any boat, dune buggy, all-terrain vehicle (ATV) or other motorized or towed vehicle designed, maintained or used primarily for recreational purpose-es." Individuals must offer proof of residency in advance of purchas-ing the permit. Permit applicants - once confirmed by City staff - may purchase up to three consecutive permits (72 hours). Applicants may purchase up to 72 days of permits

per year.

Permitted vehicles
* Camp Trailer
* Camper
* Trailer Coach
* House Car
* Boat
* Dune Buggy
* All-Terrain Vehicle
* Other motorized or towed vehicle designed, maintained, or used primarily for recreation purposes

Non-Permitted Vehicles
* Any Trailer or Trailer Bus, as defined in Vehicle Code Sections 630 and 636
* Any vehicle, including any attached trailers, vehicles or loads thereon, that exceeds 27 feet in length and 7 feet in height