It’s a proposal to amend the General Plan and put 1,900 new homes near I-15 & Old Hwy 395. No details have been revealed as yet because the developer, the Accretive Group, hasn’t officially applied to the County to do it.
Once it does, the Valley Center Planning Group will have 45 days to decide whether or not it likes the idea, although it’s probably fair to say that the group already knows that it doesn’t like the idea.
Advanced planning chief Devon Muto of the county Dept. of Planning & Land Use Monday night presented the Plan Amendment Authorization (PAA) proposal, dubbed the West Village Concept, to the group and a packed VC Community Hall.
Although Accretive hasn’t yet proposed the development it has been talking earnestly for many months in anticipation of applying.
The proposal would move some density that the County has shoehorned into the Southern Village—and which the planning group has opposed— and move it to a newly constituted Western Village, a dozen miles away. It would reduce traffic strain on VC and Cole Grade roads, which the County has admitted will fail under the density proposed as part of the update.
Muto told the group, “There is a lot of history and controversy about this project, so we want to be as open as possible.”
That contrasts to a year ago. Then the group’s complaint was that DPLU blindsided it by slipping the then 3,000 unit proposal (dubbed by wags “Hornsville,” because of the association of developer Randy Goodson through a campaign donation to Supervisor Bill Horn, and Road 3A, nicknamed, “The road to nowhere”) into the general plan update without briefing local planners.
The group appealed “Hornsville” to the Board of Supervisors, which last summer ordered it removed from the update—and decreed that it could only return by following the normal process.
It’s back. It has returned as a PAA, a process whereby a developer requests leapfrogging the normal planning process and creating a special study area.
“Anyone can apply for a PAA, under Board Policy I-63. The process is covered by any private entity trying to amend the general plan,” said Muto.
Note: See Board Policy I-63 reprinted at the end of this article.
However, Planning Group Chairman Oliver Smith complained that it seems as though the County is giving this development a leg up in the process.
“One point I would like to understand,” said Smith. “On previous projects where a PAA was involved, those projects were already before the planning group. There were elements for the planning group to review, and it was after that process that the PAA was approved. Why in this particular case is it that a PAA hasn’t even been fleshed out to where we know what is being proposed?”
Muto said the County recently underwent a change of philosophy to one more customer-oriented, more oriented towards addressing issues in a development at the front of the process.
The result is that developers will be able to consult with DPLU more before they apply for a development, and address the inevitable issues that come up quickly.
It just so happens that Valley Center and Accretive will be the beneficiaries of this new approach, which breaks the process into a preapplication process and a major application process.
“It’s a fairly recent development,” said Muto. “That’s why you haven’t experienced it in the past.”
“But it’s a process without us having knowledge of what specifics are being proposed prior to the PAA being submitted,” said Smith.
Muto countered, “If you are suggesting that we will allow less detail with this project than with others, that is incorrect. We will require the same detail. We are working with the applicant to make sure those details are included.”
“We will have a forty-five day window!” retorted Smith bitterly.
“Which is how we have always done it for PAAs,” answered Muto.
“We will be presented with a fait accompli and we have forty-five days to scramble on something that has an enormous impact on the community,” said Smith.
According to Muto, DPLU has determined in its initial discussions with the developer that a larger study area is needed besides the 400 acres that Accretive owns and has options on.
“We determined that the project area needed to be expanded to include more property that would be affected,” he said.
He reiterated that once the proposal to create the PAA was submitted the County will have 45 days to approve or disapprove. Whatever decision is made is subject to appeal to the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors.
The planning group cannot take a position until the application is officially submitted.
Smith argued that the planning group will need more than 45 days, “because this is the future of Valley Center. I want to make sure we have adequate time to review some of these proposals as we go forward with a major new development in Valley Center.”
Muto was asked how long it is before the PAA is filed.
“It’s up to the applicant when they submit. This is a voluntary process. They don’t have to coordinate with us, they can submit the PAA when they want,” he replied.
Planner Rich Rudolf, who chairs the group’s General Plan Update subcommittee, challenged the idea that the density should be moved to another part of town.
“The planning group isn’t in a position to bargain away density. In our view the density should go away, not be moved somewhere else.”
The group also heard testimony from several individuals, including Jim Bartell, who is directing public relations for Accretive.
He said Accretive has held several community workshops and hopes to have several more, including one in September.
Edward Murray, a resident of Hwy 395, said he welcomes development there. He said that in the past that the planning group hasn’t paid much attention to this area.
“We are more aligned with the I-15 Corridor,” he said, and pointed out that years ago the group endorsed a trash transfer station in the area that caused residents all sorts of grief. “The area has been a dumping ground for Valley Center!” he said, and asked the group to not oppose development there.
A Bonsall resident, Gerald Walson, asked Muto if Supervisor Horn gave the department any direction on this proposal.
“We haven’t received any direction from his office,” said Muto.
Patsy Fritz quoted from a letter she received from DPLU’s director Eric Gibson, reiterating the Board of Supervisor’s action of last summer. She asked Muto if this vote didn’t bind the department.
Jack Fox, another resident of the Old Hwy 395 area, said he had attended two meetings, which he called “open houses.” “I walked into something like an art gallery, with people standing next to pictures and describing what the pictures represent.”
He alleged that Accretive Gen. Mgr. Randy Goodson told him that the San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA) plans an aqueduct that could serve the proposed development. He said when he checked with SDCWA that he was told that this aqueduct had long been removed from the maps.
He complained, “It seems to me that the DPLU and County are doing all they can to accommodate developers in SD. They do all they can for developers, but the property owner who sits out here and wants things to remain the same, or to have as much voice as the developer—has none.”
* * *
Policy I-63
“It is the policy of the Board of Supervisors that any amendment to the County General Plan must be initiated by the Planning Director, Planning Commission, or Board of Supervisors. Property owners or other interested persons may present private requests to initiate General Plan amendments. This is referred to as a “Plan Amendment Authorization” or “PAA”. All such private requests for PAAs must be filed initially with and reviewed by the Planning Director. The request shall be accompanied by the appropriate fees paid pursuant to Section 362 of the San Diego County Administrative Code. Upon receipt of an application for a PAA, the Director of Planning and Land Use shall immediately notify and solicit comments from the appropriate community planning or sponsor group. The Director shall make a decision within 45 days of the submittal of a request. If the Director determines not to initiate a PAA, the requestor may present the request for initiation first to the Planning Commission and then to the Board of Supervisors. Requests for PAAs submitted to the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors must be filed within 10 days of the determination not to initiate the request.
“An approved PAA shall expire two years from the date of its approval. Within those two years, the applicant must formally file a complete General Plan Amendment application with the Department of Planning and Land Use. A PAA approved prior to July 23, 2006 for which a GPA has not been filed by July 23, 2008 shall expire if a GPA is not filed prior to July 23, 2009.”
Valley Center-Pauma Unified School District’s new teachers, shown at the school bell at VC Elementary School: Wes Bertram, Erin Johnson, Keri Armstrong, Alexandra Bialecki
and Lisa Reynolds.
Valley Center schools will open this Thursday, Aug. 27.
The district has been planning on having 124 less students due to declining enrollment but the administration really won't know until school starts and it sees how many are here.
Supt. Lou Obermeyer told The Roadrunner, “Schools report that we have many new students registering; however, we don't know how many students may have moved and not contacted us yet.”
Last week’s Valley Center Magazine contained the complete bus schedule for the upcoming school session, however you can also check the district’s Web site: www.vcpusd.k12.ca.us for busing routes.
Dr. Obermeyer added, “We have new routing software and want all of our parents to know they can access the bus stop information on the Web.”
The latest advisement regarding the flu has also been added to the district's Website.
Parents of kindergarten age students are reminded that all of the kindergarten classes, at the Primary school and Lilac School are now full-day classes.
“We are looking forward to the new school year!” Dr. Obermeyer said.
Shannon Hargrave, principal at Lilac School, reminds parents that school hours for students in K–3 are now 8:20 a.m.–2:05 p.m., a change from last year. Times are the same as last year for grades 4–5: 8:45 a.m.–3:15 p.m.
“We would like to also remind parents to park ONLY in designated spots and not in the parent pick-up / drop-off line,” she said.
Mrs. Hargrave added that Kindergarten Getting Acquainted is Wednesday, Aug. 26, from 2–3 p.m. Before School and After School Child Care (BASCC) is available from 6:30–7:30 a.m. before school and from 2:05 p.m.–6 p.m. after school.
Applications are available in the front office and in the BASCC room (Multi Purpose Room).
Retired Cleveland National Forest Supervisor Dr. Anne Fege will be the keynote speaker Saturday at a free workshop entitled “Living With Wildfire,” to be held 10 a.m.–2 p.m. at the Maxine Theater.
The free presentation, which will also feature Fire Marshal George Lucia, is being sponsored by the Dos Valles Garden Club, VC Fire Safe Council and VC Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), with a grant of $5,000 from San Diego Gas & Electric Co.
Dr. Fege has a holistic approach to fire safety in the Backcountry.
Usually presentations on protecting homes from wildfire emphasize either brush management or the safety of the house. Dr. Fege does both. She looks at the system and not just the discrete pieces.
Homeowners can make their homes far more fire resistant by taking measures such as protecting them from flying embers or radiant heat. They can block eaves or change vents so that embers don’t have a way to enter the house.
They can protect homes from radiant heat by considering the location of flammable materials, such as brush, or firewood, close to the home. Radiant heat can ignite a flame, blow out windows, melt window frames, crack windows and skylights. Often homes are not destroyed by a roaring fire, but from embers or radiant heat.
One family thought that they had fireproofed their home, but left a straw mat and piles of firewood next to it. That was all it took to burn the house down.
In addition, the seminar will talk about protecting life, discussing such preparations as having a “go bag,” (sometimes called a “bug out bag”) with safety supplies such as food, water, flashlight and smoke mask, ready to go.
Speakers will present simple tips that might save your life. An example: During wildfire season, park your car facing out. That way you won’t waste precious time turning it around during an emergency.
Several vendors of fire safety products will also be at the event, from 9 a.m.–3 p.m. They include representatives from Barricade, Fire Etc., Thermagel, and several insurance companies.
Mike McDonald of McDonom theald Western will have an antique engine parked at the theater.
Refreshments will be served and there will be door prizes, including two fire retardant systems, one case each of Thermagel and Barricade and several other prizes.
Questions? Call Basil Curcio at 751-2226.
* * *
Dr. Anne S. Fege, co-curator of Earth, Wind & Wildfire at the San Diego Natural History Museum, is currently a botany research associate at the museum. Dr. Fege retired in 2004 as the Forest Supervisor of the Cleveland National Forest, where she was responsible since 1991 for managing 450,000 acres in Orange, Riverside, and San Diego counties for watershed values, habitat for native plants and animals, recreation and other uses, wildland fire management, and open space.
She is widely known as a co-founder of the San Diego Partners for Biodiversity and San Diego Fire Recovery Network, and recently earned a Masters in Business Administration at San Diego State University.
Dos Valles Garden Club, in cooperation with the Greater Valley Center Fire Safe Council, SDG&E and VC Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), will host a plant sale and provide information and literature on fire resistant plants at the Valley Center Fire Safe Council’s “Living with Wildfires” presentation and exhibition Saturday, Aug. 29 at the Maxine Theater, 31322 Cole Grade Rd. from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. (see story this page).
Many types of fire resistant plants will be for sale, and members of the garden club will be available to answer questions regarding landscaping with these plants.
Clarinne B. (Cully) Mazzetti of Rincon reservation died Aug. 14, 2009 in Escondido. She was born on July 27, 1915 in Fairview, Oklahoma (OK) to Don C. & Flossie B. (Clary) Cully. She was 94.
The family settled in Hamburg, Iowa, where Clarinne graduated from high school. She moved to Washington state to work at a nursery after graduation. She met her future husband, Max C. Mazzetti, who was in the U.S. Navy, at a local dance. Max was shipped overseas, but they continued corresponding by mail.
In 1943, Clarinne joined the U.S. Marine Corps and was responsible for maintaining personnel records for a commandment. She was also one of the first woman buglers for the Marine Corps. After their release from the military, Max & Clarinne were married in Arlington, Virginia on Oct. 19, 1945, and two sons, Ed and Bo, were born to this union.
Along with raising her sons, Mrs. Mazzetti worked for the City of Escondido as Assistant City Clerk, along with her friend, Lina Hill, who was the City Clerk. She was also employed by the County of San Diego in the planning department for several years prior to opening the Broken Arrow restaurant, along with friend Emily Morrow, on the Rincon Indian Reservation. They eventually closed the restaurant to enjoy their retirement years and do some traveling.
Max & Clarinne enjoyed many trips to places such as England, Spain, Hawaii, Alaska, Russia and the Panama Canal. They also visited Clarinne’s family in the Midwest on many occasions and “Stub,” as they nicknamed her, loved every minute of those visits. She was also active in the Woman’s Marine Corps Assn., and enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.
Mrs. Mazzetti is survived by her husband Max; sons Ed (Suzanna) and Bo (Mary); sister Florence Main, who is 99 years old, of Vici, OK; brother-in-law George (Jody) Mazzetti; sisters-in-law Alberta McNeal and Anita Mazzetti; numerous grandchildren, greatgrandchildren, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Don & Flossie Cully; brothers, Henry Cully and Dru Cully; an infant; sisters: Joy McKenny, Wille Thorp, and twins Clarice and Arlene Cully who died at birth; brothers-in-law: Roy Main, Ed McKenny, Leonard Thorp, Frank Mazzetti, Cleve McNeal; and sister-in-law, Louise Cully.
Services were held on Aug. 24 at Alhiser-Comer Mortuary, 225 S. Broadway, Escondido. Burial followed at the Rincon Indian Reservation. The family suggests donations be made in Mrs. Mazzetti’s memory to Fisher House Foundation, 111 Rockville Pike #420, Rockville, MD 20850 (www.fisherhouse.org), which provides families free housing while at the side of their injured Marine.
Norma Carrillo, the new assistant principal at Valley Center High School, will be a familiar face to many incoming freshmen.
She previously worked for nine years at the middle school as a counselor.
“I already know a lot of the kids who I will be seeing. It will be a great opportunity for me and I will have already worked with a lot of them.”
Originally from Tecate, Mexico, she grew up in Los Angeles and came to San Diego to attended San Diego State University. She liked it here and stayed. She earned her BA at SDSU and her masters at National University. She is currently a resident of Temecula.
Before entering education she worked in residential care for about a dozen years. “In that situation I was working with special education students. I found that I liked working with kids and it kind of grew from there.”
She finds that many of the duties of a counselor interact with those of a principal, such a behavior modification, and parts of discipline.
She says she will have an open door to parents and their children. “I am available, whether for parents or and that is a very important thing. I’m looking out for the best interests of the kids.”
She adds, “I’m really looking forward to working with Ron McCowan [principal] and Dennis Zabinsky [the other assistant principal].
“I’m excited! This is a great opportunity. One of the best things about it is that I will be seeing some of the same families again and reconnecting with the kids, providing the structure and support that they need in this exciting time as they are going into adulthood and making some important decisions in their lives.”
In a 3–2 decision Thursday, the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) granted a temporary restraining order preventing SDG&E's power shut-off plan from moving forward.
This doesn’t actually stop the shut-off plant from ultimately being implemented, but it does delay it from being imposed on Sept. 1, ten days before the PUC is due to rule on whether it will allow the plan to be implemented at all.
The PUC has been given a split decision by the administrative law judge and PUC commissioner that it assigned to hold hearings and give recommendations.
Commissioner Timothy Alan Simon’s proposed decision was on the order of “Yes,” but with conditions.
Administrative Law Judge Timothy Kenney’s proposed decision was more like a definitive: “No.”
The plan is opposed by San Diego County and by a consortium of several water districts, including Valley Center Municipal Water District, which are suing to prevent the plan from being implemented.
By DAVID ROSS
The Accretive group didn’t find many friends among the packed VC Community Hall Monday night where the County’s advanced planning chief Devon Muto presented the proposal for a Planning Amendment Authorization (PAA) for the Western part of town, near I-15 and Old Hwy 395. So far Accretive has only needed one friend, Supervisor Bill Horn.
Accretive could probably use a few more friends, particularly in the area of public relations, where it has so far not shone brightly. The developer has been caught making false claims, e.g., that the water district would provide sewer service to its proposed 1,900 homes, a claim it probably ought to have discussed with the water district first.
Monday night its PR representative, Jim Bartell, gave birth to another whopper: that it has been holding “workshops” on the proposed project.
Well, in this case “workshop” has as much relationship to what these meetings were as a sweatshop has to a sauna. No work was going on at these meet and greets, except by the developer’s representatives, who were kept busy answering questions. There was a continuously running slideshow of the housing situation in the county. The developer’s employees served refreshments and snacks (mighty good ones, too!) and its representatives stood near maps and charts and made conversation with people who wandered over. There was no speechifying, no public meeting, no break-out groups. It was a coffee klatsch—with eggrolls.
Workshop it was not. Gathering the public’s temperature about the project it was not. What was it exactly? Propaganda? Or maybe just putting on a good front.
So bad is Accretive at public relations that one might almost conclude that it knows its request is in the bag and tied up in a blue ribbon. In other words, that the fix is in.
Painful as it is to think that San Diego County has become Chicago West, yet the evidence suggests that no other conclusion is possible.
Once Accretive’s request becomes official the VC planning group will have just 45 days to study the proposal—which no one has yet seen spelled out in any detail—and make a recommendation.
One can almost feel the breath of Mayor Daley, or someone like him, breathing down Valley Center’s neck. “Hey, wassa matter? You don’ need dat much time to decide when dere’s only one answer—if you get my drift.”
Yes, it’s true that Accretive doesn’t have many friends right now, but it may have more than it needs.
* * *
BUT WAIT! The Roadrunner isn’t anti-development, and we’re not convinced—as the planning group apparently is— that putting some of the added density that the County is forcing on us down near Old 395 is automatically a bad idea. So look for future articles and editorials on this issue, including, we hope, an extensive interview with Randy Goodson, president of Accretive, who we invite to give us a call at his earliest convenience.
We promise Mr. Goodson the fairest interview he’s ever received. That goes for anyone else who thinks that additional density on I-15 is a good idea.
The Valley Roadrunner
P.O.B. 1529, Valley Center, CA 92082
Tel. 760.749.1112 Fax 760.749.1688
Website: www.valleycenter.com
Email: editor@valleycenter.com
Copyright © 2009, Palomar Community Newspapers, dba Valley Roadrunner. All rights reserved. This content may not be archived, retransmitted, saved in a database, or used for any commercial purpose without the express written permission of the Valley Roadrunner.