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Residents wring road elimination from APG
By Christy Scott
The Alpine Sun
ALPINE — A group of about 20 residents living in the area of Bridle Run and Bullard Lane at the west end of Alpine, were at the Alpine Planning Group meeting held last Thursday, Sept. 22, to argue against a new road in their neighborhood — and they got what they came for.
After hearing their concerns about a GP 2020 circulation element road, SC1950 — drawn to connect Bridle Run south to Bullard Lane — the APG voted unanimously to recommend that the county take the road off of the map.
Many were concerned because they had not been aware of the road, and only learned about it at a follow-up GP 2020 road networking workshop held Sept. 15. Several residents were angry that the road had been put on the map, however, county GP 2020 planner Bob Citrano explained that the road, currently classified as a two-lane light collector but only partially built on the ground, had been on the circulation element map for nearly 50 years.
“This is all part of the GP 2020 process,” Citrano said. “No one has brought this road forward, the county is just reviewing the current circulation element to see what works and what doesn’t.”
The major issue for residents was the safety of children in the area. The extension shown on the map could put a striped, two-lane road through the neighborhood.
“There are a lot of schools down there — lots of kids. It just can’t be turned into a major road,” said Bridle Run resident Rayanne Gastrich.
“If you put more traffic on Bridle Run, then my 11-year-old boy is going to get hurt,” commented another mother before leaving the podium nearly in tears.
After hearing from the many parents and concerned residents the board voted unanimously to ask county to remove SC1950 from the circulation element.
“This is just a recommendation,” said circulation sub-committee chairman David Waitley. “We can vote unanimously to remove the road and the county could decide never to remove it — just so everyone knows.”
The approved GP 2020 road-networking maps will now go to the county for a traffic model study to see whether the options will serve to reduce traffic in Alpine.
Albertson’s in Alpine
Many Alpine residents have raised questions about the status of the proposed Albertson’s store in Alpine. The shopping center, located on nine acres at Alpine Boulevard and South Grade Road — has been in the works for six years as it went through the county approval process and opposition from community and environmental groups.
Albertson’s officials announced Sept. 2 that they plan to seek buyers for the 2,500-store supermarket chain due to dropping profits. The announcement reveals how large supermarket chains have been affected by competition from their traditional rivals and from discounters, most notably Wal-Mart and Costco, as well as fast-growing specialty chains such as Trader Joe's.
In response to questions from Alpine residents, Mark Price, APG chair, contacted Albertson’s representative Larry Tucker to get answers.
“As of now, it is business as usual according to my contacts,” Tucker said. “The company is looking at all of its options, including putting itself up for sale.”
Despite financial hiccups, Tucker believes the development will move ahead.
“My guess is that San Diego County real estate, especially an approved project, is a valuable commodity and the store will be built,” he said.
According to Tucker, county and Albertsons’ officials have been meeting to resolve all remaining design details and are in the process of preparing the final project plans.
“This is an iterative process because the site plans for all projects have to be taken from a conceptual stage to a very specific design detail that is necessary to actually build the project,” Tucker said.
According to Tucker, the process is moving slowly, but the company is closing in on permits. “The company continues to spend significant dollars pursuing permits, so I believe the store will be built,” he said.
Viejas TEIR
A draft tribal environmental impact report (TEIR) that was submitted by Viejas casino was discussed at the APG meeting. Chantal Saipe, tribal liaison and Darren Rutler, of the Department of Public Works and a member of the negotiating team for this project.
The Viejas Indian band is planning a two-story, 45,000-square-foot addition to the casino site. The project is undergoing environmental reviews and county negotiations under a revised state gambling compact that Viejas signed last year. Additional traffic is one of the potentially serious impacts identified in the draft report, prepared by the tribe and a San Diego consulting firm.
“Throw out what you know about the statutes that we use now,” Rutler said. “This is a whole new ball-game, the tribal compacts signed with Governor Schwartzenneger are the real guiding force here.”
According to Rutler, he could not comment on the status of discussions between the county and the tribe because negotiations are ongoing. Once an agreement on mitigation issues is decided, the matter will go before the San Diego Board of Supervisors for approval.
The APG has provided the county with its official recommendations and comments on the draft TEIR. Issues raised by the private actions sub-committee of the APG included air quality, water resources and wastewater, gambling addiction and casino staff impacts.
Mark Price asked about the impact community comments might have and how they might affect approval.
“I can’t guarantee that every recommendation is going to be accepted,” Rutler said. “But certainly they will all be reviewed and considered.”
Resident Gay de Gero, asked how, in light of the current road networking phase of GP 2020, the community and the tribe could work together.
“How do we all work together to plan the roads in this area for the next 10 or 20 years?” she asked. “Do they even have to work with us?”
According to Rutler, the tribe is not obligated to work with surrounding communities, but added, “Let me reiterate, this tribe has always worked well with the county, they have a good relationship with us.”
The review period for the draft TEIR ended on Sept. 26. Now the tribe will take all the comments from the county and community and create an official impact report. Once completed, the review period on that document will be 55 days.
APG vacancy
The Sept. 22 APG meeting was the last for outgoing vice-chair Scott Lamb. Due to a family move, Lamb has stepped down from his position on the board, leaving a seat open.
Lamb also stepped down from his position as APG vice-chair. At the meeting, Joe Forlenza and Jim Mowry were nominated to fill the position. By a vote of eight to six, Jim Mowry was voted in as the new APG vice-chair.
The vacant APG seat will be discussed at the next meeting on Thursday, Oct. 27. All interested parties should apply for the position via mail, fax or e-mail to Chairman Mark Price, P.O. Box 1329, Alpine, CA 91903-1329, 445-8351 or apg@markprice.com.
Interested parties should attend the next APG meeting, as a vote on the replacement will be on the agenda that evening. APG meetings are held at the Alpine Community Center at 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of the month.
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Christy Scott
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