Dear Friend:
Last week I had the honor of participating in a
delegation of business and government leaders in
Mexico City where we met with senior cabinet
officials of the Mexican government. Our agenda
included discussions regarding the construction of a
new Port of Entry east of the existing Otay Mesa
border crossing and gauging the Mexican government’s
support regarding a potentially new trans-border
airport terminal adjacent to Tijuana's Rodriguez
International Airport.
The mission to Mexico was coordinated by the
Mexico Business Center of the San Diego Regional
Chamber of Commerce. Our delegation of
approximately 40 people included business and
political leaders from both sides of the border
including two board members from the San Diego
Regional Airport Authority as well as the Chair and
First Vice Chair of the San Diego Association of
Governments (SANDAG).
Our meetings with high-level officials from the
Mexican government were quite successful and very
encouraging. Following my return from Mexico, I met
with Mayor Sanders and reported to him about our
Mission and the commitments we received from the
Mexican government and our next steps - including
the formation of a bi-national committee that will
establish time-lines and an implementation plan.
As Chair of the Transportation
Committee for SANDAG, I have the honor to work with
elected officials from throughout the county on
implementing the region's transportation improvement
program. With the passage of Transnet 2004, the
half-cent sales tax measure for local streets,
highways and transit, we are working diligently on a
variety of projects that keep traffic moving in San
Diego. One of our priority areas includes improved
transportation at the border especially for the
movement of goods between the United States and
Mexico.
In today’s global economy, the
economic growth of a region is directly related to
its level of openness and trade with the rest of the
world and the neighboring region in particular.
A recently completed SANDAG
feasibility study concluded that congestion at the
border crossings between San Diego County and Baja
California is causing more delay and travel time
uncertainty for cars, trucks and pedestrians than at
any time in history. The report went on to say that
the steady growth in global and regional economic
integration squeezes even more people and goods
through border infrastructure that was built for a
much smaller and radically less security conscious
economy.
For many years a new highway called State Route
11 (SR 11) and a new Port of Entry (POE) at East
Otay Mesa have been contemplated to improve the
efficient movement of people, goods and services
between the United States and Mexico.
The study concluded that a new POE
at East Otay Mesa will help reduce traffic at the
existing San Ysidro and Otay Mesa Ports of Entry.
The border crossing also will provide an alternate
entry for commercial traffic that currently is
limited to the Otay Mesa POE.
Time is money and right now it’s not uncommon for
trucks to wait in excess of three hours to enter the
United States. A new “Smart Border” crossing at
East Otay Mesa could move trucks through in less
than 20 minutes per vehicle. This “Smart Border”
would have the latest in technology including
scanners similar to an MRI or CAT scan that would
inspect vehicles electronically enabling improved
commerce.
Scheduled to open in 2015, this
new POE and three-mile, four-lane state highway will
connect the U.S.-Mexico border to key regional,
state, and international highways.
In the United States, SR 11 will connect to State
Routes 905 and 125. In Mexico, the corridor will
connect the new POE to the Tijuana – Tecate and
Tijuana – Ensenada free and toll roads.
I was also impressed with the Mexican
government's interest in exploring the possibility
of a new airport terminal on the US side that would
utilize Tijuana's Rodriguez International Airport.
With the trans-border airport terminal idea still in
its infancy, the Airport Authority is doing its
homework to make Lindbergh Field work as our
region’s international airport while exploring how
we might partner with the operator of Tijuana's
airport for long haul international flights that are
not currently available at Lindbergh Field. The
voters spoke loud and clear when they said they
wanted Lindbergh to remain San Diego's main
airport. There will be plenty more to discuss on
this topic in the coming months and I'll have more
to share with you soon.
Here are a few documents you might want to review
for more information:
Economic Impacts of Border Wait Times
(Overview)
Economic Impacts of Border Wait Times (Full
Report)
SR11 & East Otay Port of Entry Financial
Feasibility Study Fact Sheet
SR11 & East Otay Port of Entry Financial
Feasibility Study (Full Report)
Speaking of Transportation
You’re invited to a celebration dedicating a new
lane along State Route 52 this weekend. As the
region works together to implement our $50 billion
transportation improvement program, it seems
everywhere you look, freeway improvement projects
have been ongoing with many more contemplated. From
past eNewsletters, you know of the $451 million
we’ll be receiving from Prop 1B – this, added to
TransNet contributes to a $50+ billion
transportation improvement program over the next 30
years.
This Saturday at 10:30 a.m. on the Westbound SR52
onramp from Santo Road, we’ll be dedicating a new
truck lane that is sure to improve commute times
along SR52. This project was what we called part of
our “immediate action program” upon the passage of
TransNet.
Click here for a copy of the invitation.
Mini Dorm Madness
I call it mini dorm madness and it is an issue
that affects more than just my district. Mini dorms
are really apartments for students that are jammed
into one house in single family neighborhoods. This
is an issue that affects the entire region. As you
know, I’ve been working on this issue since last
year and now we’re seeing some results. My thanks
to my City Council colleagues, Mayor Jerry Sanders
and City Attorney Mike Aguirre for recognizing the
decimating effect mini dorms have on the quality of
life for people living in established single family
neighborhoods.
Briefly, let me add my perspective
on the most recent developments. As you may know
Michael Haaland and Ian Sells, two mini dorm
developers, agreed to halt their business of
converting single family homes into mini dorms.
Certainly I welcome that turn of events but I’m far
from satisfied. I want them to undo the damage in
the College Area and restore a tranquil life that
many residents once had.
Haaland and Sells are but two of
the developers who are converting thousands of homes
into mini dorms throughout the City of San Diego.
There are so many more who find ways to circumvent
regulations designed to restrict mini dorms and
nuisance properties.
We need to treat mini dorms as
businesses because that is what they really are. A
new requirement should be to make mini dorm
developers apply for a business permit just as any
other business is required to. We don’t allow
someone to set up a car repair business in the
driveway of their home in a residential area so why
would we allow a business such as a mini dorm to
operate in a residential area? This land use is
incompatible.
 An
additional tool to counter the problems created by
mini dorms goes into effect this month. Beginning
April 30th the City will initiate a new, six-month
pilot program in the College Area that allows San
Diego police officers to issue on-the-spot fines of
up to $1,000 per person to anyone who creates
disturbances in their neighborhood. In addition,
the City’s Code Compliance Department will send a
citation to the property owner each time a tenant
causes a violation.
There is no magic wand to wave and
no real easy answer because we’re governed by state
laws that severely limit what we can do on a local
level. So part of the solution may require new
legislation at several levels of government.
For more detailed information
about mini dorms and about the City Council meeting
in June at which mini dorm regulations will be
discussed, please visit my web site at
http://jimmadaffer.com/
State of the District
I invite you to attend my State of the District
address on Wednesday May 23rd in order to find out
more about issues impacting our district and about
our goals and projects in progress. It will begin at
6:30 p.m. at the College-Rolando Library located at
6600 Montezuma Road.
We’ll have a presentation about keeping San Diego
safe with Jill Olen, Director of Homeland Security,
Fire Chief Tracy Jarman and Assistant Police Chief
David Ramirez. You’ll have a chance to meet Andrea
Tevlin, the City’s Independent Budget Analyst, and
find out more about her vital role at City Hall.
Plus we’ll have a Q&A session during the event where
you can share your questions, comments and concerns.
Please plan to attend this important event and tell
other District 7 residents about our upcoming State
of the District on Wednesday, May 23rd.
Improving the Trails at Mission Trails Regional Park
I want to commend Chester Owen III who is an
Eagle Scout candidate with Boy Scout Troop 959. His
Eagle Scout project focused on improving the Cowles
Mountain hiking trail in Mission Trails Regional
Park (MTRP).
 The
trail was closed on Saturday, February 24th when he
and a great crew of volunteers installed fencing and
railings in order to protect the habitat of
vegetation and wildlife and to limit further trail
erosion.
As anyone who has hiked the trail knows, they
provided a wonderful service. Not only does this
benefit MTRP users but my calculations indicate that
he saved taxpayers approximately $15,000 in what it
would have cost to have this work done.
 On
behalf of the residents of District 7 and the City
of San Diego, I want to thank and congratulate
Chester for a job well done.
New
Medians for El Cajon Boulevard
March 26th was a big day in our district.
Residents, the business community and local leaders
truly deserve credit for spearheading the project of
getting new medians on El Cajon Boulevard.
 Without
them, I don’t think this project would have gone
past the drawing board. Community leaders such as
Jose Lopez, Thomas Du, Lee Rittiner, Harold Webber,
Danielle Laman, Doris Perry, Bruce Robertson and
Jody Talbot joined me in celebrating the official
groundbreaking. Mayor Jerry Sanders told the
audience that neighborhood commercial revitalization
projects such as this are crucial to help beautify
San Diego, enhance identities of older business
districts and improve the quality of life for
surrounding neighborhoods.
 He
said we are fortunate to have the tool of
redevelopment and the commitment of so many partners
to make this project a reality. Mike Trunzo,
President of the College Area Business Improvement
District (BID) and Charles Maze, Chair of the
Crossroads Redevelopment Project Area Committee
(PAC) also spoke eloquently at the event.
This long anticipated $2.2 million median
reconstruction and landscaping project will help
beautify and improve sections of El Cajon Boulevard
from 54th Street to 73rd Street within the
Crossroads Redevelopment Project Area. The project
is expected to take 180 work days to complete and
involves reconstruction of raised medians and the
installation of decorative stamped concrete,
irrigation and landscaping. It will also feature
two community entrance signs. This revitalization
project is the result of a public/private
partnership of the Redevelopment Agency, several
City departments, my office, the College Area
Business Association, community members and
businesses along El Cajon Boulevard.
Landscaped medians are part of my overall
beautification goal for the communities in District
7. I ran for office on a platform of improving the
quality of life in our neighborhoods and the El
Cajon Boulevard medians are one more example of
keeping that commitment.
This project has been in the planning and
preparation stages for several years. In fact, my
Chief of Policy Don Mullen was instrumental in
helping move this project forward years ago when he
was Executive Director of the College Area Business
Improvement District. Funding comes from a variety
of sources. More than $2 million in funding was
approved by the Redevelopment Agency using tax
increment generated by the Crossroads Redevelopment
Project Area. The County of San Diego is investing
nearly $16,000 for the business district signs. The
businesses along the corridor are investing an
initial $45,000 for the business district signs and
will also fund ongoing maintenance of the medians.
 I’m
very proud of the Crossroads Redevelopment Project
Area and the many community leaders who have donated
their talent to make it the best it can be. As you
know the 1,031-acre Crossroads Redevelopment Project
Area was adopted 2003 to facilitate new
construction, revitalization and upgrading of
residential, commercial and public properties as
well as revitalizing facilities within the
surrounding Crossroads Redevelopment Project Area.
Revitalization and redevelopment within the
Project Area is gaining momentum. The Crossroads
Housing Enhancement Loan Program (HELP) for
low-and-moderate income homeowners was created to
help homeowners make needed improvements to their
homes. In March of 2006 an agreement was approved
for CentrePoint, a $110 million mixed-use project
incorporating 312 condominiums including 47
affordable units and neighborhood serving retail
space.
Redeveloping the area known as Chollas Triangle
is in the works and the Redevelopment Agency is
actively seeking development partners for this
36-acre site which is bounded by University Avenue,
Chollas Parkway and 54th Avenue.
Also nearby is a private development project called
Parc@54 which is a
90-unit housing development one block north of
University Avenue on 54th Street.
Traffic
Calming Measures Coming to Twin Lake Drive and
Jackson Drive
 Recently
there have been issues raised by parents concerned
for the safety of their children traveling to
Benchley Weinberger Elementary School crossing at
Twin Lake Drive and Jackson Drive. This is an issue
that has been discussed by parents, by community
leaders and by community planning groups over the
past several months.
I have reviewed their recommendation and have also
read evaluations from the City’s Traffic Engineering
Department as well as from the San Diego Police
Department. While I understand some residents desire
to have an all-way stop sign installed, I believe
Traffic Engineering’s recommendations for traffic
calming measures, which are supported by the Police
Department, are a much safer alternative. I do not
take this issue lightly and wanted to thoughtfully
evaluate all aspects.
After careful consideration, and following input
from the local community group, I came to the
conclusion that an all-way stop sign would create a
dangerous false sense of security for pedestrians
using that crossing. You
may read my letter on this issue by clicking here.
Tip of the
Hat
Congratulations to Bob McElroy and his group at
the Alpha Project for reaching a major milestone.
This remarkable non-profit group just celebrated
their 20th anniversary with an event as distinctive
as they are.
The Alpha Project helps the homeless get off the
streets and helps in transitioning them into living
a productive, independent and drug free life. It is
touching when you hear testimony from people whose
lives have been completely transformed by their
mission.
I’ve been a longtime supporter of the Alpha
Project and invite you to
click here
to find out more about them.
The
Passing of a Champion
San Diego lost an incredible sports icon and
champion for our youth with the passing of Ernie H.
Wright, Sr. on March 20th. From his days as a sports
hero in the 1960s and 70s to his founding of the Pro
Kids Golf Academy, Ernie Wright exemplified the very
best for San Diego. He was a legend in the National
Football League and the San Diego Chargers as well
as a driving force for the Pro Kids Golf Academy and
Learning Center. He could make things happen when
others were unable to. He used his contacts,
resources and love of children to provide thousands
of San Diego’s inner-city youth the opportunity to
learn life enhancing values through the game of golf
by establishing Pro Kids in 1994 at the City’s
Colina Park Golf Course.
His dream for Pro Kids started with a ramshackle
one-room clubhouse at the Colina Park Golf Course
which he turned into the outstanding facility that
it is today. His Pro Kids program is now a model
for the nation. He used the game of golf to teach
important life lessons about values, sportsmanship,
etiquette, honesty and self-discipline.
 Ernie
Wright’s Pro Kids Golf Academy and Learning Center
has provided more opportunities for our inner-city
youth than any comparable program. The Academy is a
testament to his years of dedication to the less
fortunate and to those who would never have had
these opportunities. Although Ernie has now passed
on, his legacy will live forever and the foundations
he has provided for our youth will continue to shape
wonderful citizens and leaders for tomorrow.
Dial 511
 Did
you know that you can now dial 511 for Roadside
Assistance on our roads and highways? If you get
stranded in a non-emergency situation, you may use
your cell phone to dial 511 to be connected to the
Call Box Answer Center for assistance. To find out
more about this, visit SANDAG's 511 web site at
http://www.511sd.com/
Happenings in the District
From time to time I include a few
community events taking place throughout the
District. Here are a few you may be interested in:
May 4 – The 8th
Annual SpringFest in Allied Gardens kicks off with
activities on Friday night from 6:00 p.m. until
10:00 p.m. and on Saturday there will be a parade,
live music, pony rides, entertainment and other
activities from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. For more
information click here
http://www.kiwanis-gag.org.
May 19 – Explore
Mission Trails Day. Join park staff and volunteers
for an all day celebration highlighting everything
Mission Trails has to offer. This popular event will
feature free guided nature walks, talks and programs
throughout the park, including live animals and
special programs for children. The San Diego Natural
History Museum is bringing Scholastic Publishing’s
Ms. Frizzle™ and The Magic Schoolbus© again this
year as a special program for children at the
Visitor and Interpretive Center Amphitheater. There
will also be free pony rides and children's crafts
at the Equestrian Staging Area. Click here for the
flyer.
May 20 – The Wine
and Breezes event is a wine tasting from the finest
wineries in Temecula. At this special afternoon
event, benefiting the San Diego Family Justice
Center and Camp HOPE, premier wines will be provided
by several Temecula wineries. Live Latin/jazz
entertainment and specially prepared hors d'oeuvres
will complement and enhance the wine-tasting
experience. The event takes place from 3:00 p.m.
until 6:00 p.m. at the Heritage Estates in Poway.
For more information call (619) 533-6037
or click here to download the invitation.
May 23 – I’m
hosting a State of the District address and invite
you to attend. It takes place at the
College-Rolando Library located at 6600 Montezuma
Road and begins at 6:30 p.m. For more information,
please call my office at (619) 236-6677.
Neighborhood E-Watch Keeps You Informed
The City of San Diego's
Neighborhood eWatch provides information about crime
incidents in the City of San Diego to the public for
free via the Internet and is updated every 24 hours.
I introduced this popular service in 2002 and
encourage you to use it. The web site address is:
http://ewatch.sandiego.gov.
Thanks for reading
the eNewsletter
In the meantime, please don't
hesitate to send me your thoughts
on issues by sending email to
jmadaffer@sandiego.gov
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serve you on the San Diego City Council.
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