ADU Concerns Grow for LV Neighborhoods
Plus: LV News Briefs, Two New Food Spots in Fashion Valley, LV Poetry Corner, and Commentary on Proposed Fashion Hills Suspension Bridge
The Linda Vista Update
With the City Council discussion and vote coming up next week to address possible changes to San Diego’s Accessory Dwelling Program (ADU), a growing group of concerned Linda Vista residents recently organized a presentation to make the office of District 7 Councilmember Raul Campillo aware of the magnitude of the ADU situation here in this community. The group, which goes by the name of the Linda Vista Neighborhood Coalition, and is affiliated with the San Diego Community Coalition formed by the OB Rag, met on Tuesday morning with Councilmember Campillo’s community representative Miles Noel. The purpose was to brief him on the problems/issues raised by the growing number and size of ADU’s in Linda Vista. The group took him on a tour of three controversial ADU sites located on such Linda Vista streets as Manning, Abbe, and Crandall. In a show of solidarity, the concerned Linda Vista residents in attendance wore blue T-shirts bearing the words “Linda Vista Stands for Beautiful Views, Not ADU’s.”
During the tour for the Councilmember’s community representative, members of the LV Neighborhood Coalition were able to show him one site in which a 3 story, 18 unit ADU complex is being constructed in a community consisting of single level homes, and another site in which a 21-unit ADU complex is currently under construction. Those in attendance were stunned by the disproportionate size of the 3 story, 18 unit ADU complex (see above photo) and its proximity to the neighboring single level house on Manning Street. In presenting information to Miles Noel, members of the LV Neighborhood Coalition made their points about ADU’s, especially the ADU Bonus Incentive Program, by expressing the following ADU-related concerns/problems:
Exacerbating already existing street parking problems on old narrow streets.
Introducing a style/size of architecture that is grotesquely disproportionate to the rest of the neighborhood.
Complicating fire evacuation problems on old, narrow streets not designed for such ADU-added density.
Possible burdens on existing sewer lines.
Privacy issues (3-story buildings allowing residents to stare into neighboring backyards).
A significant shifting of wealth from local families to out-of-town developers.
And, not actually providing help for families looking for affordable housing.
The Linda Vista Neighborhood Coalition, which maintains an informative Facebook site, actually supports the State of California ADU guidelines, as well as maintaining and improving infrastructure to achieve planned growth. However, the organization contends the current Bonus ADU program in San Diego that has been championed by Mayor Todd Gloria “allows a hostile takeover of communities with no transparency or accountability and absolutely no concern about the future of communities such as Linda Vista.”
In presenting to Miles Noel, the Linda Vista Neighborhood Coalition members hoped to convince Councilmember Campillo to strongly oppose the current Bonus ADU Program in the media, and support the state’s guidelines. In addition, they would like Councilmember Campillo to arrange a meeting to address concerns regarding Tecolote Canyon fire evacuation plans.
The City Council will meet to discuss and vote on possible changes to San Diego’s ADU program on Monday June 16 at 2:00 pm. Members of the Linda Vista Neighborhood Coalition expect to be at the Council session to express their concerns.
LV News Briefs:
—Narcan Distribution Event: San Diego City Councilmember Raul Campillo will join Harm Reduction Coalition of San Diego to provide free Naloxone (Narcan), fentanyl and xylazine test strips, and on-site overdose response training for members of the public. This distribution/training event will occur at the Linda Vista Library parking lot on Friday June 13 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.
—Ponies and Free Book Giveaway at LV Library: As part of its Summer Reading program, the LV Library will have pony rides and a petting zoo available for kids on Saturday June 14 from 2 pm to 4 pm. On Monday June 16, the LV Library will conduct a Book Giveaway from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm, as long as supplies last. The Giveaway will feature brand-new books. Food will also be available (probably pizza). This is a free event, but registration is recommended. You can register at https://sandiego.librarymarket.com/event/book-giveaway-458119)
—Parks After Dark Begins: The popular Parks After Dark program at Linda Vista Neighborhood Park begins this weekend on Saturday June 14. It will be held from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The program is free with entertainment for families. Check out the details in the flyer below.
—LVTC Monthly Meeting: The Linda Vista Town Council will conduct its monthly meeting on June 18 at the Baha’i Center (6545 Alcala Knolls Drive). Social time begins at 6:00 pm and the official part of the meeting will begin at 6:30 pm. Daniela Ruiz from EmpowerLanguage Academy will be the guest speaker. The public is invited to attend.
—Congresswoman Jacobs Virtual Town Hall: On Wednesday, June 18th at 6:00pm Congresswoman Sara Jacobs will host a virtual town hall with California Attorney General Rob Bonta. You can register for this event by clicking HERE.
Two New Food Spots in Fashion Valley
Today is your lucky day. You get two reviews for the price of one. Oh, wait, this is free. So you get two free instead of one free. What a deal!
Steve noticed on a drive around the Fashion Valley Mall that there appeared to be some new establishments in one of the new apartment complexes – Galleria, at 375 Camino De La Reina (which sits south of the Fashion Valley Mall, across the street from the east end of the old SD Union-Tribune building). We stopped by to see what was there and discovered a store/deli called Camino Farms, and next to it a restaurant called Pichudo Mexican Grill. We decided we needed to try one, or both, and checked out their websites. It all looked promising, so we grabbed up the Carnivore Sidekick, who happened to be available, and off we went to lunch.
After looking over both Camino Farms and Pichudo Mexican Grill, Carnivore felt his tastes could be best met at Pichudo. We opted for Camino Farms. Both establishments are under one owner, share outdoor eating spaces, and have been open about 6 weeks. Camino Farms hours are 7AM-10 PM, Pichuda 11AM-10PM.
Camino Farms has the feel of an upscale grocery store/deli and has a bit of everything. It appears to be full of fresh, organic products. Their website states that all food is freshly made and crafted in-house without seed oils, 100% grass fed meats and wild caught seafood. Their products include sushi, juices from their juicer, coffee pastries and breakfast sandwiches, bowls, as well as many menu items including sandwiches, Mediterranean plates such as beef shawarma, kabobs, salads, Grab and Go, beer, wine and liquor. In addition, the store has many grocery items; this must be wonderful for the people living in the apartment complex. Check out the entire menu online. You can call and order and pick up. They also do catering.
I decided on a veggie sandwich ($14.00) from the nice array of sandwiches. It included feta cheese, lettuce, tomato, roasted red pepper, artichokes, basil, and dressing. It was on a huge roll cut in half. I could only eat half, and Steve had the other half for another meal. It was excellent. The veggies were all fresh tasting and bright in color.
Steve had a Mediterranean organic cucumber salad. These salads come in three sizes, and he got the smallest, which was filled with diced cucumbers and tomatoes for $4.00. He also got a Cheese Artisan Pie which included organic feta cheese, parsley, onion and queso blanco for $5.00. I lucked out because they also had some samples of the cheese pie out and I grabbed one. It was delicious. He had them warm it for him. Both items were delicious according to Steve. For sides he could have got hummus or baba ghanoush, or other small salads, but he was very happy with his order.
Meanwhile, the Carnivore Sidekick browsed Pichudo’s Mexican Grill. Their menu included starters like nachos and black guac dip, tacos, burritos, quesadillas, salads and bowls, kids specials and desserts. Carnivore decided since it was Taco Tuesday, he would have a pork belly taco, and a King Pichudo Taco (would you expect anything less?). The King Pichudo included a special taco with melt-in-your-mouth grass fed wagyu beef, tequila pickled onion, guac, and black magic chili oil (according to the menu). It cost $10.00. He said it was great, and he liked it much better than the pork belly. The pork belly for $9.00 had crispy pork belly, passion fruit habanero sauce, shaved cabbage, chopped cilantro, onion and lime. He said the tacos were spicy, but he enjoyed them very much. The presentation was very nice, and he said the seasoning was perfect for his taste.
The staff was very nice. They told us they have another location at UCSD. Camino Farms had a very attractive layout. It made me want to buy one of everything. Give it a try. Tell them you heard about it in the Linda Vista Update.
Changing LV Landscape
LV Poetry Corner
Progress continues to be made on the two new five-story apartment buildings in downtown Linda Vista. Before you know it, people will be moving in and becoming part of the community. Accordingly, we thought it timely to publish a poem that attempts to express the different opinions local residents have of these relatively tall structures — a break from the typical architecture in this part of LV — and what they may or may not contribute to the neighborhood.
New Apartment Buildings on the Horizon
Apartments arise.
New buildings stretch up and sideways
on the busy block.
Five stacks high, looming
over LV lower structures.
Appearing like two
half-submerged giants,
broad heads, shoulders ominously
poking above ground.
Positioned to eye
our day-to-day proceedings, or
devour us alive.
Blotting out the sun
along Ulric Street, but only
for an hour or two
each morning. Pops of
bluish grays disrupt brown and tan
walls of tradition.
Neighbors stare back with
curiosity and concern,
waiting to decide –
aware that swarms of
worker bees seek hives offering
rest and valuable
parking spots. Locals
hope wafting scents from adjacent
pho shops, donuts, fries
and pizza will stave
off the giants’ appetite for
swallowing us whole,
for dominating
the neighborhood’s chill character,
stoking density,
more traffic, less space
to exercise those movements meant
to draw us nearer.
Better they offer
honeycombed one and two-bedroom
space for sweet slumber,
to accommodate
the demanding wax and wane we
call community.
Commentary
Don’t Let Linda Vista Remain “Bridge Deficient”
I have identified a serious Linda Vista deficiency. But fear not, my fellow Linda Vista residents, for I have also worked on devising a solution that will put our LV community on the map. The fact that the solution also provides special privileges for the residents of Fashion Hills – the same townhouse development where I reside within the Linda Vista boundaries – just happens to be a pleasant coincidence. Don’t let that distract you from the overall quality of the solution. Let me explain.
I recently came across an article on a San Diego tourist-related web site titled the “San Diego 7 Bridges Hike.” The article listed 7 bridges in the Balboa Park, Hillcrest, and Downtown area that one could hike as part of a 5.2 mile urban loop. The list included the following: Park Boulevard Bridge, Cabrillo Bridge, First Avenue Bridge, Quince Street Bridge, Spruce Street Suspension Bridge, Vermont Street Bridge, and the Georgia Street Bridge. After reading the article, I came to the startling conclusion that our Linda Vista community suffers from a “bridge deficiency.” When is the last time you saw a bridge in LV? Where did they go? And then I started to think of the number of tourists and tourist dollars Linda Vista is missing out on because of this “bridge deficiency,” not to mention the loss of a prestige image as an urban hiking destination.
Fortunately, the latest plan formulated by the City of San Diego to build a leash-free dog park at the Mission Heights Neighborhood Park (as discussed at Tuesday night’s LV Recreation Group meeting) provides a fantastic opportunity to also build an accompanying bridge. It just so happens the site of the proposed dog park is just a hop, skip, and jump away (as the crow flies) from my Fashion Hills townhouse development—with only Ulric Street separating the two locations. In fact, if you stand at the end of Camino Pacheco in the Fashion Hills development you can easily see across Ulric Street to the proposed dog park property. So close, and yet so far away because, unfortunately, in order to get from Fashion Hills to the Mission Heights Neighborhood Park, we Fashion Hills residents must currently climb the steep road up Linbrook Street. It’s the local equivalent of climbing up Mount Kilimanjaro. This physical obstacle will discourage most Fashion Hills residents from walking their dogs all the way up to the new dog park.
However, if the City were to invest a little extra money and build a suspension bridge, much like the Spruce Street Suspension Bridge, and have it go from Fashion Hills, high above Ulric Street, and over to the proposed dog park, I believe many Fashion Hills residents would use the dog park, and more importantly, Linda Vista could then become an urban hiking destination with a noteworthy bridge to brag about. Imagine what a dramatic view this suspension bridge would present for commuters driving on Ulric Street! And during the Holiday period the words “Have a Merry Fashion Hills Suspension Bridge Christmas” would be illuminated with festive lights on the bridge.
Oh, by the way, this may sound a bit self-serving, but I would recommend the bridge be called the “Fashion Hills Suspension Bridge”, and that only Fashion Hills residents be able to use the bridge (outside of famous visiting celebrities and urban hikers willing to pay a bridge toll or fee for an annual pass), and that other dogs not be permitted to make contact with Fashion Hills dogs while inside the dog park, and that a percentage of the bridge toll/annual pass fee monies go to the Fashion Hills Homeowners Association, and that a Friends of the Fashion Hills Suspension Bridge non-profit organization be formed to publicize the greatness of the bridge to include its name. Those are minor details that could be easily negotiated into any City of San Diego legislation. What is important is that Linda Vista will finally get its own bridge!
I think this is a win-win-win situation for the Linda Vista community, dog lovers, and Fashion Hills residents. Don’t let the Fashion Hills part bother you. Just accept the idea that any special bridge considerations exclusively benefitting Fashion Hills resident are a mere coincidence.
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You got to be kidding me regarding the suspension bridge.
And keeping other dogs away from the Fashion Hill dogs!
absolutely ridicules!
And since you wrote about all the new apartments being built don't you think it's a little late??
LOL!!!