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Sunrise Powerlink plans involve
tree removals along Boulevard
By Lori Bledsoe
The Alpine Sun
ALPINE — At the Alpine Planning Group
monthly meeting, Aug. 26, discussions and presentations came up
for a new McDonalds restaurant to be established in Alpine near
the Albertson's, and the beautification of Alpine Boulevard.
The beginning of the meeting began, as always with Greg
Fox once again explaining that the Alpine Planning Group is an
advisory committee that's only purpose is to advise the San
Diego County of the desires of our Alpine community.
The Alpine Planning Group has no real power to enact or
change plans of the county, however they do have input on
up-coming projects. This is in response to many community
members who want the APG to stop or to make something happen
regarding projects that are beginning to commence in town, such
as the Sunrise Powerlink.
Lou Russo and Betty Thomas both approached the APG at
this meeting. Lou Russo had concerns regarding the Lazy A Ranch,
the site chosen by Grossmont Union High School District for the
new Alpine High School. Soils tests are taking place and toxins
are being found at this time. However, the levels have been
reported to not be concerning, but the County has to monitor
these levels as the site is set to be the location of the high
school here in town. Betty Thomas presented her plans for a tree
removal that is blocking the access to her land parcel.
Rob Dodman from Fountainhead Development then began a
presentation on plans to build a McDonald's restaurant where the
recycling center is currently located in the Albertson's
complex.
McDonalds Corporation is responsible for building the actual
facilities, but local franchisers own the businesses. Dodman, in
his presentation wanted to emphasize that McDonalds stands
alone, since 1973, for their release of nutritional values to
the public. They are also making great strides in offering
healthy choices to consumers in their meal plans. Every meal has
an option for apple slices instead of fries, and juice or water
instead of soda. McDonalds also holds their corporate
responsibility up high as they have donated to Scripps Hospital
for Diabetes research.
Questions from the APG to Dodman included hours of
operation for the restaurant, as well as how sound pollution was
going to be handled. Scott Tuchman was very interested in the
sound pollution as he offered the fact that he has worked in
sound for many years. He mentioned that the drive thru speakers
could very easily leak noise to the surrounding neighborhoods.
Dodman assured the APG that every action would be taken to
dampen that noise so as not to disturb any surrounding
residents.
Laura McDonald, Sunrise Powerlink Project Director, was
also at the meeting as a presentation was made to the APG
regarding how SDG&E will be helping with the beautification of
Alpine Boulevard. The presentation was complete with a 17-page
plan on improvements and a delineation on which entity would be
taking financial responsibility for those improvements. SDG&E
was taking responsibility for five and a half miles of
rubberized asphalt along the boulevard to create a quieter road.
There will be several trees removed along the
boulevard; the County is responsible for all of the tree
removals. Trees mentioned were mainly eucalyptus trees, such as
the one that is near the road in front of the Community Center,
the eucalyptus trees in front of the Alpine Sun as well as next
to the Woman's Club.
In addition, eucalyptus trees that are east of the
Alpine Blvd. Gas and Diesel Station are under consideration for
removal. Some oak trees under evaluation, but the County is
unsure if any oak trees will need to be disturbed. There will be
a temporary road access provided near Tapatios during a road
widening process.
The APG desires the beautification work on Alpine
Boulevard to be scheduled to coincide with the finishing work of
the Sunrise Powerlink to decrease the inconvenience of the
residents. SDG&E is very confident, and is willing to work with
the APG in the scheduling of work.
Laura McDonalds said, “We believe the project is going
to go forward and we believe that it's the right thing to do —
we will leave Alpine in a better place that when we found it.”
 E-mail
Christy Scott
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