Dear fellow Rolandos! Joining the Rolando Community Council is a great way to support your community and stay involved. You can join the RCC and pay your membership dues online with this form. If you’re an existing member you can renew your membership by paying your dues online. Thank you for supporting the RCC.

Full disclosure: RolandoVillage.com is independent from the RCC. However, RolandoVillage.com really likes the RCC and appreciates their hard work very very much.

Rolando neighbor Richard Burkett and his bluegrass band, Gone Tomorow, will play a free (thanks guys!) concert this Saturday at Clay Park. The show runs from 5:00pm to 6:30pm.

The Rolando Community Council have arranged to provide shade. So come with blankets, chairs, drinks, or just yourself and be ready to have some fun.

Photo credit: GoneTomorrowBluegrass.com

Clay Park on Google Maps

CitySourced is the easiest way to report civic issues (graffiti, potholes, trash, urban blight) directly to city hall and make a difference in our neighborhood. It is free for your Android, BlackBerry, or iPhone.

Install CitySourced on your smartphone today for an easy way to make a difference.

The map below shows CitySourced activity in Rolando Village.

The Rolando Community Council meets Tuesday, April 21, 2009 at 7:00 pm. Social time starts at 6:30 pm.

Items on the agenda are:

• Neighborhood Beautification
• Upcoming Rolando Community Council Election
• NOTE – In May, 2009 the RCC meets on the 26th.

Read the full agenda.

Location: 4855 Seminole Dr, San Diego, CA 92115

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Residents, please renew or start your council membership today.

People get ready. The 13th Annual Rolando Street Fair is just around the corner. Vendors, you can download the 2009 Rolando Street Fair application here. More to come…

The Rolando Community Council newsletter is available for download.

Happy 2009 Rolando Villagers! Please invest your time and invest in your neighborhood. Become a member of the Rolando Community Council. Just download the new Rolando Community Council membership application from RolandoCommunityCouncil.org and mail it in. It only takes a moment for you to make a big difference by getting involved.

A Celebration for the Rest all of Us

Bring your family and your favorite dessert to share.

What:
The San Diego Police Historical Assn. generously offered to host this year’s celebration in its so- new-it’s-not-quite-open museum! Come get a sneak preview of this amazing collection of San Diego police memorabilia! Coffee and punch provided.

When:
Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2008 – 7:00 p.m.

Where:
Rolando Methodist Church, 4855 Seminole Dr.
New Venue: Police Museum, 4710  College Ave.

You can park in the bank lot or the church lot across the street from the museum, but please do the safe thing and walk down to the light to cross!

Sponsored by:
The Rolando Community Council
The San Diego Police Historical Association

Content Courtesy of Jan Hintzman, RCC President

The June 17, 2008 Rolando Community Council meeting agenda is now available online at RolandoCommunityCouncil.org

Rolando Methodist Church • 4855 Seminole Drive
Tuesday, May 20, 2008 7:00 – 8:30 PM

AGENDA

Call to Order 7:00 PM
Approval of Agenda
Approval of Minutes of April 15, 2008
Treasurer’s Report
Community Input on Non-Agenda Items * 7:10 – 7:20 PM

Government Reports: 7:20 – 7:30 PM

• Jim Madaffer’s Office
• Shirley Horton’s Office
• Susan Davis’ Office
• Eastern Area Planning Committee
• Crossroads PAC

Committee Reports: 7:30 – 7:50 PM

• Book Sale
• Nominating Committee

New Business: 7:50 – 8:00 PM
Charitable Donations for 2008 * ACTION REQUIRED *

Program:
Tyler Sherer, SDSU Director of
Community Relations, reports on
University growth plans and
answers your questions.

8:00 – 8:30 PM
* Speakers are asked to limit their comments to three minutes each.

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Thanks to Jan Hintzman for providing me with the information!

The Rolando Community Council meets at 7pm on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 4855 Seminole Drive, 92115.

I will post agenda details as soon as they are available.

The best way to predict the future is to create it! So join the Rolando Community Council and help create your community’s future.

The bylaws of the Rolando Community Council, amended March 18, 2008, have been certified. Download a copy at the following link:

bylaws-of-the-rolando-community-coucil-inc-amended-2008-03-18

The Rolando Community Council will meet Tuesday April 15, 2008 at 7:00pm.

AGENDA

Call to Order 7:00 PM

• Approval of Agenda
• Approval of Minutes of March 18, 2008
• Treasurer’s Report

Community Input on Non-Agenda Items * 7:10 – 7:20 PM
Government Reports: 7:20 – 7:30 PM

• Jim Madaffer’s Office
• Shirley Horton’s Office
• Susan Davis’ Office
• Eastern Area Planning Committee
• Crossroads PAC

Committee Reports: 7:30 – 7:40 PM

• Street Fair
• Book Sale

New Business: 7:40 – 8:00 PM

• Election of Nominating Committee for RCC Officers – ACTION REQUIRED

Program: 8:00 – 8:30 PM

• Report on CentrePoint Project (63rd and El Cajon) by David Kieffer, Douglas Wilson Companies

*Speakers are asked to limit their comments to three minutes each

Douglas Wilson representative to speak at April meeting

Whatever happened to CentrePoint?

For a few months in 2007, it looked like plans for a mixed-use residential development at 63rd and El Cajon were going to be scrapped in favor of a student housing project. To the relief of some (and the chagrin of others), the Texas developer that was considering what some called a “megadorm” decided not to pursue the project.

Since then, rumors have bubbled up from time to time about the future of the former shopping center. What we know for sure is that the property has remained untouched for months. It remains a loosely fenced pile of rubble, the sight of which raises the blood pressure of many Rolando residents.
Has the economic downturn reduced the CentrePoint dream to rubble as well? What’s next for this critical piece of property? How long before the debris is hauled away and recycled? What must occur before we can expect to see construction – of something – begin on the site?

Neighbors can learn the answers to these questions and more at the April 15 Rolando Community Council meeting, when Wilson Companies representative David Kieffer brings the members up to date on the future of CentrePoint and current cleanup plans.

Leaders wanted: Nominating committee, then council seats

Spring in Rolando means the beginning of the election season. The bylaws call for the election of a nominating committee at April’s meeting. Over the next month, the nominating committee interviews neighbors who are interested in serving on the council. The committee presents a slate at the May meeting. The membership votes in June and the new council is seated in July.

The revised bylaws changed the composition of the council a bit. Beginning with this election, the council will consist of a president, two vice presidents, a secretary, a treasurer and two directors.

There are many ways to serve the community through the RCC. Those who are interested in a short-term commitment might consider volunteering for the nominating committee. Running for election for the council itself is a longer commitment, but provides the opportunity to work closely with talented, concerned neighbors to make lasting contributions. For more information, read the bylaws online (www.rolandovillage.com) or speak to one of the council members at the April meeting.

Meetings

Eastern Area Planning Committee:
April 8 and May 13, Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Parish Hall, 2723 55th Street, 7:00 PM.

Crossroads Project Area Committee:
April 24, College Avenue Baptist Church, 4747 College Ave, Visitor Center, 3rd floor, 6:30 PM.

Don’t Miss the Next Book Sale!

Saturday, May 3, 8:00 AM – 2:30 PM, parking lot of Rite Aid on El Cajon Boulevard. Volunteers needed.

Next RCC Meeting: Tuesday, May 20, 7:00 PM.

Controlling Mini-dorms – A History (in progress)

Ann B. Cottrell, Chair CACC Committee on Nuisance Rental Properties

Mini-dorms, defined by the city on its mini-dorm web page as “single dwelling units occupied by multiple adults, which through unconventional development patterns and a variety of disturbance issues are adversely affecting local single dwelling unit neighborhoods” have concerned College Area residents for over two decades. The pattern of commercialized rental properties in RS zones is increasingly a threat throughout the city. Here is a summary of efforts to control “mini-dorms.” These efforts are not intended to eliminate all rental properties in RS zones.

1980 Adamson v. Santa Barbara California Supreme Court Decision.

This decision states that “family” cannot be defined as individuals related by blood, marriage or adoption. Thus we cannot prohibit renting single “family” homes to 3 or more unrelated individuals, as is the practice in many other states.

1987 Single Family Rental Overlay Zone (SFRPOZ)

This College Area zone limited the number of individuals in a rental house by establishing size and other physical requirements per tenant.

1991 College Area Rental Landlords Association (CARLA) challenged SFROZ.

CARLA argued SFROZ violated principles of equal protection by illegally discriminating between tenants and resident owners when similarly situated. The California Superior court supported the case and a city appeal was not upheld. The significance of this ruling is that there can be no distinction between users of similar properties. SFROZ was repealed in 1997.

1989 College Area Party Plan

College Area Party Plan

This permits police to “CAPP” chronic party houses. This program, now city wide as the Community Assisted Party Plan, allows the police to raise the response when called to a CAPP house, including confiscating equipment and even making arrests.

2000 Addressing Parking impact in College areas.

• Land Development Code creates Campus Parking Impact Overlay Zone which requires off-street parking for single dwelling units with 5+ bedrooms. (city requirement is 2 off street parking spaces for a single dwelling unit)
• Parking Districtes B & E established for SDSU and Mesa College Areas. These prohibit street parking to anyone who does not have a B or E permit (4 maximum per house)

September 2006 Community Forum on mini-dorms.

District 7 Councilmember Jim Madaffer convened a public forum on mini-dorms. Over 300 angry College Area residents made an impression. Madaffer followed up with a list of possible responses to the problem, addressed by an ad-hoc College Area Community Council committee.

October 2006. Bedroom redefined in municipal code.

Municipal Code was amended to define a bedroom as any room with a permanent door which can be used for sleeping. This was to stop the practice of calling converted/new rooms dens or family rooms thus getting around the 5 bedroom parking requirement

May 2007 Administrative citations for violations of existing loud noise codes.

SDPD can be issue $1,000 fines to all residents and homeowners when Police Officers judge the noise level sufficiently extreme. The program’s six month trial was so successful in the College Area it is being expanded city-wide.

August 2007 New codes related to mini-dorms take effect.

(overview)

Based on recommendations from the CACC ad hoc committee the city council adopted amendments to the municipal code to address inconsistent physical development related to mini-dorms. Briefly, these are:

• Small lots in RS zones (less than 10,000 square feet):
  • Houses limited to 6 bedrooms (using new definition)
  • Hardscape for vehicular use limited to 4 surface parking spaces.
• RS zone properties-no more than 60 % of front yard hardscape or paving.
• RS zone properties – new parking standards ensure parking spaces will be functional
• Campus impact area (only single dwelling units with 5 or more bedrooms):
  • New development must provide 1legal off-street parking space for each bedroom
  • At least 2 parking spaces must be in an enclosed garage.
• In the parking impact overlay zones, all lots must have a 12-foot driveway at the front property line.

January 2008 Residential High Occupancy Permit (RHOP)

In an effort to assure that high density single dwelling units in RS zones provide adequate parking, the City Council has passed a RHOP. RHOP is required for a single dwelling unit housing 6 or more persons 18 and older. To obtain a permit, legal off-street parking must be provided on the property for the number of adult occupants minus one. The RHOP establishes an annual permit, with an annual fee ($1000) and inspections that can be revoked for code violations. This will take go into effect October 1, 2008. No existing violations will be “grandfathered” in.

Spring 2008?? Rooming House Ordinance (RHO)

The above changes, while of some help, do little to address the systemic over commercialization of RS zones with mini-dorms. Any existing mini-dorm remains legal until a structural change is made. Houses can have as many bedrooms as they want on lots over 10,000 square feet and unlimited parking in large back yards. A way of addressing the commercialization of RS neighborhoods with large mini-dorms is sought.

The proposed Rooming House Ordinance is designed to “preserve community character” in RS zones, and “promote neighborhood quality, character and livability” by prohibiting rooming houses in RS and low density RM zones. A version defining the RHO as a single dwelling unit in which three or more rooms are rented under three or more separate leases has been approved by: Land Use and Housing Committee, San Diego Planning Commission, Community Planners Committee, CACC, PBPG. However, while the majority of City Council members claim to support the RHO in principle, the RHO did not receive majority support at the November 19, 2007 Council meeting. A revision is being drafted presently and, hopefully will go to Council this spring.

February 19, 2008 – Document in progress – Ann B. Cottrell, Chair CACC Committee on Nuisance Rental Properties