By Jay Wilson
Circle Thursday, April 23, on your calendar and plan to attend the next meeting of the Del Cerro Action Council: Councilmember Scott Sherman will be our guest speaker. We have some major concerns facing our city: water conservation, Grantville redevelopment, a new stadium, the fiscal year 2016 budget and street repairs to name a few. Councilmember Sherman will provide an update on the city, and will answer city-related questions from those attending.
On April 9, I spoke with a representative from the firm pursuing development of the property south of the Chevron station. The developer is planning to have a community meeting in May to outline its plan, which currently includes the construction of up to 28 single-family homes with a right in/right out just south of the Chevron station on College Avenue.
As a member of the Navajo Community Planners, I attended the April 8 meeting at the Tifereth Israel Synagogue in San Carlos. Adam McElroy, our Police Community Relations Officer, introduced Lt. Mike Swanson. Mike is new to the Easter Division and is responsible for the Navajo Community for the San Diego Police Department. You will meet Lt. Swanson at the DCAC meeting on April 23.
Officer McElroy announced that the 47 members of RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol) working out of Eastern Division volunteered 21,322 hours in the past year. They will be honored at Eastern Division on Thursday, April 23. Officer McElroy asked if any community members would be able to contribute door prizes for this event. RSVP members do an outstanding job of helping keep our community safe. You may reach Officer McElroy at Easter Division by email at [email protected] or by phone at 858-495-7971. Fortunately for Del Cerro, we have had no major crimes in the past month.
Seth Litchney, the city’s senior planner for the Navajo Community, announced that city staff is working on the final version of the Environmental Impact Report for the Grantville Master Plan Update with the goal of having it approved by the San Diego City Council by the end of June. The city has also applied to SANDAG for a planning grant to solve the flooding problem in Grantville caused by the Alvarado Storm (Creek) Drain Channel.
Liz Saidkhanian and Ryley Webb, council representatives for Councilmember Scott Sherman, mentioned that water restrictions may be forthcoming. Liz also mentioned that the property manager for Allied Gardens has assured her that there are several food market-type stores in the running to replace Albertsons. It will take eight or nine months to complete any new business, as there is considerable renovation needed in what is now vacant space in the shopping center. Liz also stated that Albertsons is not cooperating in that they will not let anyone in to walk through the empty space until their lease expires at the end of April. Ryley mentioned the installation of the second phase of shade structures at the Lake Murray Community Park Playground. It was funded by Councilmember Sherman. If you have a city-related problem or concern, please contact Ryley Webb at [email protected] for San Carlos, or Liz Saidkhanian at [email protected] for Grantville, Allied Gardens or Del Cerro.
If you are starting to plan a stay-vacation, don’t forget the Kumeyaay Lake Campground at Mission Trails Regional Park. There are 46 rustic campsites and each will accommodate up to six campers for just $20 per night. The campground is open for overnight camping on Friday and Saturday nights. Camp on the second weekend of the month and you can take advantage of a free Star Party on Friday night and a free 90-minute guided nature walk at 8:30 on Saturday morning.
Check our website delcerroactioncouncil.org for updates on community matters. We look forward to seeing you at the DCAC meeting on April 23 at Temple Emanu-El. Meeting is at 7 p.m.
—Jay Wilson is president of the Del Cerro Action Council.
