City Heights Area Planning Committee

Minutes - November 2024 - January 2025

C.H.A.P.C. minutes for December 9, 2024

1. Chairman Marcellus Anderson gaveled the meeting to order at 6:15PM and called the roll. Marcellus Anderson, Tanya Brown, Dan Castanon, Maria Cortez, Zamzam Fadhil, Jennipher Hager, Edwin Lohr, Denisse Lopez, Mazda Mehraz, Noema Aguilar, David Nelson, Nam Nguyen, Mary Otero, Victor Ponce, Patty Vaccariello, Mark Van Milligan, Evihn Vasily, and Brian Wintz formed a quorum. Rahmo Abdi, Ricardo Catano, and Alexander Hemphill were absent.

2. There were no corrections to the minutes of November 4, 2024.

3. The agenda were amended to remover Item 6.4 and were approved unanimously.

4. A staff member from the Mayor’s office offered staff reports.

5. Ms. Adele Campbell made off-agenda comments.

6.1 Toby Hallal from T.R.H., Inc. presented Development Project- 1124115. After discussion, David offered, Brian seconded a motion to recommend approval. The Committee voted 11/4/1 and the motion passed.

6.2 Naim Daghmash from the S.D. Water Department offered an information presentation about trash capture devices to be installed in the City’s stormwater management system and answered attendees’ questions.

6.3 Amanda Olgeirsson from Civic San Diego offered an information presentation about sidewalks on the West side Euclid Avenue North of Myrtle Street and answered attendees’ questions.

7. The Chairman offered no comments.

8. Mazda offered a comment about City contractors working on street and sidewalk projects.

9. The Chairman adjourned the meeting at 7:51PM.

CHAPC MONDAY NOVEMBER 4, 2024

CityHeights/WeingartBranchLibrary

 1. Chairman Marcellus Anderson gaveled themeeting to order at 6:20PM and called the roll. Marcellus Anderson, David, Ricardo Cantano, Maria Cortez, Jennipher Hager, Alejandro, Edward Lohr, Denise, Mazda Mehraz, Noema Aguilar, David, Nam Nguyen,VictorPonce,MarkVanMilligan,EvihnVasily,and Brian Wintz formed a quorum.

2. Evihn mad a motion to approve the minutes, Maria seconded the motion.No corrections to the minutes of October 7.

3. Motionf rom MarkVanMilligat oapprove the agenda,seconded by Jennipher Hager. The agenda were approved unanimously.

4. No staff comments were made.

5. Public comments: David made a comment regarding the need for a strong mayor, city is not working,thousands of people who don’t get water bills for months,“thingsarenot being run efficiently”. Mary Otero agreed.

6. BusinessAgenda  6.1  Mid-CityAtlas:Existing Conditions Report presented by Alex Frost, Project Manager for Mid City Community Plan Update.Mid-City Communities Plan is designed to helps share the future of Mid-City area for the next 20-30 years and serve as an update for last adopted plan from 1998. First phase of plan has been completed, currently in the Community Validation Phase.Existing Conditions Report includes Draft Report,appendices,and webmap.1998 plan reduced opportunities for homes along Adams Avenue, El Cajon Boulevard, University Avenue. From 2000-2022,there are 9% fewer peoplein Mid-City population with similar trends in City Heights with a 13% decline in population. Mid-City population has more old people, fewer white, black, and American Indian people compared to 2000, City Heights has similar trends. Between 2000 - 2022 there has been a 384% increase in Median Home Value and 142% increasein Median Income. City Heights Initiatives includes $212 million from Price Philanthropies. 50% of City Heights are built pre-1964. Historic Sites and Districts including Islenair and Little Saigon with many Historically Designated homes in Kensington. 58% of Mid-City is walkable or semi- walkable comparedto17% in Cityof San Diego.Redlining impacted areas of Mid-City occupied by low-income areas, all grade C or D in City Heights. Eight census tracts are experiencing significant Neighborhood Change, including areas experiencing gentrification. Canyons and canyon-adjacent areas are considered high risk flood and fire zones. 5 census tracts that are classified as high-poverty and racially segregated areas. Adopted community plan land use -6% commercial/mixed use, 44% residential, 4% park, 7%open space. 6 Business Improvement Districts in Mid-City, 4 belong to City Heights. Orange Avenue planned bikeway will connect East and West, slow progress, most bikeable community in San Diego. Density of car collisions along ElCajon Boulevard and University Avenue.Most bicycle collisions occur in Mid-City along El Cajon Boulevard, University Avenue, Fairmount Avenue and Euclid Ave/54th street. Current RecreationValue Points in City Heights is 3,371.38(49%).Mid-City SDUSD enrollment from 1980 - 2022 has decreased. Key Engagement Efforts released September 4. More detailed Mobility Assessment in Fall.  Board comments and public comment. Nam Nguyen inquired about income change “what is the average per adult income?” multiple families in one household can amount to increase in income, is there additional information by census tract? Alex: that is much granular data that is available that we have not analyzed. Victor:do you have information on the parks? The methodology is in the plan from 2021 and moved from an acre standard to a point standard (1,000 points per 10,000 people). If there are more amenities it scores higher.  Evihn: is it possible to pull up the map? On the current plan from 1998 there are banned auto businesses,canyou get rid of them and go with the city-wideplan?Alex: we will have to look at the zoning to see if there is a desire to maintain the restriction designation.Evihn: Right now we have commercial zones, we should scrap that, we have a housing shortage. Evihn: (Sustain.Devlopment smart growth map) what does state density mean to us? Alex: ADU bonus program, city regulatinon, depends on lot size, and is capped by AFR. Evhin: The AFR relies on underlying zoning, you said we are scrapping that? Alex: no, everything in the mustard color the ADU applies.Evihn:there are people building more units in those areas. Alex:it is more permissive than state. Evihn: I would like to see it capped, keep the current zoning. Do you have more dataon specific sub regions growth? Yes, referredto decrease in number I did not see anything to have to do with light and lighting fixtures or utilities poles,can that be ncluded in the plan.To see the underground and overground data to hold the city accountable.As far as the lighting,that is more for safety, how many lights are there? When the lights go out can we make it easy to report and see the turnaround time - track and trnd, what ares do they go out more often in? Alex: we have heard a lot, about a lack of lights, we can explore those policies to see how we can get more lights in the walkable areas. You didn’t see how many fire depts there are, is that going to be included in the plan? Alex:yes, they are included. Jennipher: the round abouts have created more accidents and traffic. A10 year plan is more realistic as compared to a 30 year plan which will most likely not be completed. Mark:we need a grantwriter Public Comment: Mary: Concerns regarding parking problems with angled parking spaces near her home.Round abouts are small and not being maintained. Agrees with Jennipher’s comments.  Trees are being trimmed along parkways,but trees are the responsibility of the city but sidewalks are the responsibility of property owners. Owners should be responsible for trees and the city should maintain the streets. There was a 50 / 50 program, but now treets don’t look up to date, sidewalks are not maintained. How can we influence the plan? Recommending a 4 way stop sign on 47th and Whightman.The islands in Fairmount are not utilized. Whightman has a problem with trash, when it rains the trash goes into the gutters, with potential sewage problems during floods.  Daniela: When wil lthe slides be updated with Choice Navy Housing,parkin gon College Grove Drive, David Mody’s comments regarding SANDAG. Presenting pictures of fires and floods from years ago.

 6.2  ZamZamAbdul presented to the board to fill CHAPC Youth Seat. David motioned to vote, Evihn seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous in favor of ZamZam.

6.3 MaryOtero presented to the board to fill CHAPC District4 Seat. Denisse motioned to vote, seconded by Mark. The vote was unanimous in favor of Mary.

 7.  Next meeting December 9, 2024

 8  CommitteeComments: David commented on the proximity of student’s homes to Rosa parks. Jennipher: There was an update on Highland Avenue, construction should conclude on November 17th then Chamoune to Euclid will be closed to finish Menlo roundabout, lasting 6 weeks and redirecting traffic to ECB andUniversity Ave (Highland -Menlo) will be closed to finish last roundabout. The city has approved overtime for nights and weekends.

9.  Edwin motioned to adjourn,second by Evihn.  Adjourned at ?