The Alternate Routes Chosen are out!

The extended Environmental  Impact Report (EIR) is finished will begin for the 3 Route Alternatives slotted to travel through our communities. Tonight there is a Sandag meeting scheduled about this pivotal report and the alternatives. Please attend this meeting if you can. There will be one more coming up for us to show that it is important for our communities that the route NOT travel through them.

Please forgive my error about the EIR. I was in a hurry and did not take the time to correct this.

NOTICE OF
PUBLIC MEETING ON THE
SOUTH BAY BRT PROJECT:
FEBRUARY 17, 2011
from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Please join SANDAG to learn more about the South Bay BRT project, including the environmental review process and the route alternatives selected for further evaluation.

McMillin Elementary School
1201 Santa Cora Avenue
Chula Vista, CA 91913

http://www.keepsandiegomoving.com/SouthBay-BRT/south-bay-brt-intro.aspx

I’ve been informed that this is the point where we need to really inundate them with  more people showing up, calling, and writing. This is the homestretch for us.

New Signs along the grass way

Hello everyone. I hope you get to enjoy some of today’s beautiful weather like I just did. I was out walking the puppy and I was able to see SANDAG or McMillian placing new signs along the green belt to eliminate some of the confusion about the route for the BTR. Well I asked the SANDAG rep who was sitting in the shade of the Treviana trees why their work truck for building the signs was parked on the Monet property. I told him that our property is permit only. He responded “I didn’t know it was permit parking.” First our properties should not be used for ANY construction of the BRT to be respectful of our communities. Second every spot on our Monet property is painted with “Permit only Parking” and at the entrance to our complex there is a sign that states permit parking only all others will be towed. (Correction it says, TOW AWAY no public parking.) His remark was said with a smile, how nice. I asked him how was he going to stop further construction crews, equipment, etc. from using our property because it is conveniently abutting the proposed route through our communities. You should always begin in the manner you intend to proceed I explained to him. After that he turned a little deferential and said he didn’t think about it that way and he would take that into consideration. Why is it they can proceed as they want and only after the fact say, “Well yeah, we should have thought about that.” They know this is a contentions manner for our communities but they don’t really seem dedicated to proceeding in a manner that would allay our fears and concerns.

Note I have attached the a picture showing the clearly labeled permit parking spots and the work truck parked in one as the worker is digging a hole for the sign. The SANDAG rep is out of frame to the right but you would recognize him if you have gone to the meeting with SANDAG and the scoping meetings. I believe his name is David Hicks I will double check this. Click on the image for a larger version.

As to other information about what’s going on I haven’t heard much but maybe this is a sign we need to make some noise again. You can respond in the comments section with ideas and comments.

I Extend another invitation to my fellow Monet residents to please contact me about creating a group representing their fellow Monet residents in regards to how they feel about a BTR traveling through our and the Treviana communities. E-mail me at MonetResident@yahoo.com.

April 28th SANDAG Scoping Meeting

Yesterday I attended the Scoping meeting at Heritage Elementary, which SANDAG held from 4pm – 8pm. I didn’t know what to expect, but went prepared with a speech for a public comments portion if it was structured like council meetings. The scoping meeting was in the school auditorium. SANDAG had their presentation posters for the route from the 805 to the Otay Boarder Crossing presented around the room. Everyone was told that people could either write written comments or dictate to a court reported who would transcribe your comments.

Jennifer Williamson mentioned that there would be two other scoping meetings. I can’t find the time and date as yet but will post them as soon as I can. We were informed that there is a dead line to submit public comments, which is May 19^th. This is very important for every resident to make all the comments in writing by letter or e-mail before this date. You can write one long comment all at once or many short comments sent separately. I have already posted the a Scoping Meeting Comment Form PDF in an earlier post to download. Here is the mailing and e-mail information once more;

Please submit your comments to:

Rob Rundle, SANDAG

401 B Street, Suite 800

San Diego, CA 92101

Email to –  rru@sandag.org

I did get to speak with a few of the SANDAG representatives while there. I talked to Jennifer Williamson about her comment at the SANDAG Transportation Committee meeting, that Monet residences were not directly affected like Treviana Residences. This is inaccurate because while not ALL our Monet residences are as close there are two large home structures within 11 feet away. She said that’s not what she said and that she would have to look at the transcripts of the meeting. I encourage her to do so because giving accurate information to decision makers is imperative.

Also I expressed how the residences did not appreciate that it was “not important” to SANDAG to replace the Signage that was removed from the right of way between our communities. Another staffer told me I must not remember that comment correctly because Jennifer didn’t use those words at the Treviana H.O.A. meeting where they presented. I know I, and other residents there can attest to the accuracy of that statement. This may seem nitpicky but if they are the experts and people in charge we NEED to hold them to a high standard. Every Chula Vista Resident should be important to our government.

I wanted to be clear about the signage and how to not mislead the public any longer about the use of that space. I asked who owned that land. I was told that McMillin Homes (the developer) owns the land and offered SANDAG the right to use it for public purposes at any time they would like. Ok makes since. Jennifer told me that it was up to McMillin to maintain the green belt and signage infinitely. I then asked because of how they explained it, “but SANDAG would assume ownership of the property when they decide to use it for a project?” in this case transportation. I was told yes. Then I asked, “hasn’t SANDAG taken ownership then because you are planning and engineering the BTR through the area as of now?” I was told well yes. So I said then the signage is your responsibility then they said no because McMillin owns it.

Jennifer told the residents at a Treviana H.O.A. presentation that two years ago SANDAG became aware that the builder McMillin removed the signs and planted trees. She told me now that they contacted the builder stipulating they replace them. She did say the builder was very hard to work with. But this was TWO years ago. During all this time nothing further was attempted to make McMillin comply. If I see a leak in my ceiling caused from a neighbor, tell the neighbor hey there’s a leak fix it. If the neighbor does nothing, I don’t follow up, the leak slowly spreads, and the roof collapses on me days/months/years later. Did I really do enough? No.

Also McMillin apparently built the pull in areas in the right of way between View Park Way and Magdalena Ave. on East Palomar without SANDAG’s engineering approval. I was told that the way they were constructed a smaller 40 bus would not be able to use them. I was told McMillin built them with money out of their pocket and no city funds. So is this why SANDAG keeps letting McMillin groom the area as they see fit?

When I talked about how the public could find better information as to the original planning. A representative said I would be able to get early plans, documents, and maps about  when the route was clearly mapped out in and around 1994 on microfiche with the city. When I buy my next home I will make sure to view microfiche plans like the other buyers who have said we should have done our homework. When I google Otay Ranch information on the BTR doesn’t pop up off the bat. As is I have to look for specific documents with BTR in the title to view maps from 2004 and on.

There are also other points of interest but I will do some additional posts and incorporate them into them. I know this is a long post thanks for hanging in there with me.

New important dates for your calander

There will be a meeting on Saturday April 22nd, twelve noon at the Treviana swimming pool area  to prepare for the Scoping Committee. We will prepare to have speakers represent our interest against the SANDAG proposal of the BRT Please come and if you would like to take the opportunity to speak on behalf of the larger communities please let us know.

There will be a meeting on Saturday April 24th at the Treviana swimming pool area to discuss the preferred alternatives of diverting the BRT line. Please come and let us know if you have any ideas or opinions so we don’t leave any idea unheard.

Note from Bob Gonzales Trevianna H.O.A. Vice President –

I spoke with Councilmember Steve Castenada today and I invited him and Staffmember Linda Wagner to my meeting on Saturday April 24th. Councilmember Steve Castenada indicated that he would come. He also mentioned that the preparation for the scoping committee is of imperative importance. He also indicated that he would ask Linda Wagner his staffmember to attend. We all need to be there! Bob Gonzales Board Member

THIS LAST ONE’S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER!

April 28th from 4:00 P.M. till 8:00 P.M, the meeting of the Scoping Committee will be at Heritage Elementary school. We need the support of Treviana and Monet residents physically there! We made a BIG difference by being at the SANDAG Transportation Committee. lets keep this going. This is a critical time where me must show our opposition to the portion between our communities by showing physical numbers.

If I could get help from the Monet community to spread the word to our communities about the opportunities provided by these meetings please e-mail me at MonetResident@yahoo.com.  I’m looking to place new signs up in the community and if possible talk to residents person to person / knock on doors, because not everyone looks at flyers. Please let me know.

SANDAG Meeting Date Change

Hey everybody. The SANDAG meeting for this Friday has been tentatively moved to April 2nd. Hopefully everyone that was planning on attending will be able to adjust their schedules. As soon as I find out this is a solid date, I will let everyone know.

We have also scheduled a local meeting for Saturday March 27 at noon at the Treviana Pool area. This meeting will last a half hour to 45 minutes.

Newspaper Story Coming Out Saturday!

Our story in the Union Tribune will be in print this Saturday March 6th. Check it out! Our next big thing will be to see who can go to the SANDAG meeting planned on March 19th. It will be from 9:00 AM to Noon, at 401 B Street San Diego the 7th floor of the SANDAG building. It’s during business hours but if you are at home, or the kids in school see if you can come. We can arrange for car pooling.

Last Tuesday City Council meeting.

I was unable to attend the last City Council meeting but a group went to speak. A Treviana resident made a multimedia presentation and the lawyer employed by the Treviana H.O.A. spoke. The council is pushing back the environmental report from the 5th of this month to February 19th.

Feel free to watch the broadcast of the meeting February 3rd this evening. The streaming video is not available yet but it should be up this evening.

Recorded City Council meetings may be viewed on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. on Cox Cable Channel 24 and on NexHorizon (formerly Chula Vista Cable.)

The February 4th city council meeting has been canceled so the next one we can attend is February 9th.

A community of Chula Vista blog to peek at

Hi everyone a resident has pointed out to me this blog for out chula vista community which talks about the upcoming transit corridor. I left a comment but feel free to read their information and post a comment yourself if you’d like.

http://chulavistacommunityhotspot.blogspot.com/

The Last Chula Vista City Council meeting went great!

We had a good turnout for the last Chula Vista City Council meeting. There were three residents who spoke then the mayor and some city councilmen mentioned that they wanted SANAG to come back and present about the problems we have been bringing up. You can view streaming video of the two meetings we attened for January 12th and 26th, 2010 here http://chulavista.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=2. please cut and paste into your browser.

one resident who spoke had a very well thought out comment;

Excerpt of comments by a Treviana resident before the Chula Vista City Council on Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council –

Among the many reasons that went into our decision to choose Treviana was the overall planning that went into the Otay Ranch area of Chula Vista. With its wide transportation corridors, abundant green areas, pedestrian friendly walkways and bike paths, proximity to shopping, and environmental sensitivity, this area for us was definitely what we wanted. In addition, knowing the importance of public rapid transportation, the fact that the Otay Ranch area would be served by such a corridor (as was so clearly designated all along the East Palomar route) was also another positive factor.

The proposed RT route, as you know, is located within a median strip along East Palomar Street and is framed by beautiful trees and is buffered on both sides by the roadway itself. This important buffer assures a minimization of impacts to surroundings residences. Another point that is important to mention: the median is clearly labeled along its entire length as a “Future Site – Rapid Transit Corridor.”

None of this, however, is the case when the proposed RT route reaches the end of East Palomar at Magdalena. The median ends! There is then a 35 foot green area which lies between the Treviana and Monet communities, but for all intents and purposes this appears to have been a design feature of the two communities, provided to enhance the lifestyle of those areas…a place for children to play, for walking your dogs, and a vital connection point between the two residential areas. This green area was not only an attraction for us when we purchased our home…but also for all other residents I have spoken with.

If there had been a continuation of the labeling of this area as a “Future Site – Rapid Transit Corridor”…or if there had been a continuation of at least a buffer – the width of the roadway plus the median (as it is along all the other parts of the proposed corridor set within East Palomar Street), common sense would have then dictated what was to be the ultimate intended purpose of this particular green area. But, again, that is not the case.

We are now faced with a potential RT corridor which in some instances will have its right-of-way, at some points, only 11 feet from residences. This, we feel, is wrong…and certainly a planning oversight which should have been addressed when these two subdivisions were initially approved. We understand that SANDAG considers this to be their “preferred” routing, but, for sure, there ARE other alternatives that can be considered which would not significantly alter the integrity of the RT route…or deviate from its intended goals.

As is, we strongly feel that this proposed segment of the route will have severe and profound impacts on the residents of the Treviana and Monet communities in terms of safety, noise, light, visual impacts, removal of vegetation and construction activity. We also feel that that the development of this segment as part of the RT corridor is a betrayal of our understanding of this green area when we purchased our homes.

We very respectfully urge your assistance in assuring that another, less impacted, segment is ultimately chosen.

We still need to make more nosie! Use the information that SANDAG gave us to ask everyone of your questions/concerns so that we show that they dismissed the concerns at the meeting with the Treviana HOA. Write letters to the Mayor, city council, our represenitive etc. Contact the news paper, station, or community activist like Turko, and tell them what’s going on! If you would like to start a letter writing campaign please let me know at MonetResident@yahoo.com.

January 12th, 2010 Trip to the City Council Meeting

The Vice President of the Treviana community, some Treviana residents along with myself from the Monet community went down to the meeting of the City of Chula Vista city council. We took the opportunity to speak during the public comments section. I had the chance to Mayor Cox and the Council members about how much of a bad idea the section of transit between our communities would hurt us and our families. The Vice President from Treviana H.O.A. then spoke. We wanted to jump start the debate about this area and let them know “We will not be quiet and go away.” I spoke on behalf of  Monet Residents who have agreed with my and Treviana residents concerns with the plan as is. There really wasn’t anyone there so it didn’t take long and I had only 3 minutes. The meetings happen every Tuesday beginning at 4:00 pm, with the public comment time starting around 5:00 pm. The more people who go down and speak up will help. Let’s get loud, though I encourage people to be respectful of the Mayor and council members because we do want the on our side. Lets carpool set up times when people can go to make sure we don’t lose any opportunity to speak up. When we left the meeting a writer from The Union Tribune stopped me and said she was interested in what I had to say for a possible story. She’s looking now to come visit our communities and talk further!

Write a letter, make a comment check out http://www.chulavistaca.gov