Minutes of the Linda Vista Planning Committee
October, 2008 at Linda Vista Public Library

LVPG minutes for October 27, 2008 meeting opened at 6:05 p.m. Donna Erickson, Chair presiding.   Roll Call:  Present:  Bamford, Beckham, Bussell, Carini, Castro, Cleary, Cole, Erickson, Hughes, Morgen, Perwin, Riguelme, Rodriquez, Shannon , Spahitz, Stang, Tomcek, and Wilson .   Absent:  Castro, Corley, and Duncan.  Total Board present – 17.  Total present – 36.

Presentation of Colors by the Kearny High School ROTC.  A gift of $100 was given to Master Sgt. San Nicholas on behalf of the ROTC for services over the last decade to the LVPG.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Maureen and Gary Wall—gave an invitation to all to attend the block party on Acheson Street to aide with doctor bills and needs of a young boy, Matthew, who has a brain tumor.

Sheila Hardin – invites all to see the model of downtown development area. 

--Gary Stang – gave letter of resignation to the board due to the Skateworld situation with the Redevelopment Agency.—16 board members present.

Linda Vista Librarian – Barnes and Noble Bookstore is having a Book Fair to benefit the Linda Vista Library.

GOVERNMENT/AGENCY REPORTS

Saldana’s office:  presented a flag that was flown over the capitol building to the LV Parade of Flags chair, Jo Ann Carini.

Susan Davis office:   for a small fee state flags are available.

INFORMATION ITEMS

1- 6:30 p.m. time certain:  JC Thomas from SDG&E gave a slide show on the landscape improvements at the Silver Terrace Substation.   Bill Click was present.  He works with communities to beautify their substations, etc.   

GOVERNMENT/AGENCY REPORTS continued

Police report:  graffiti continues to be a problem.  Residents can call to have it removed.  If a private party removes it themselves he asks that they take pictures of it before they do so and give it to the police department.  The style of graffiti will associate it with a particular person/group and helps to build a case against them.

When asked about the Linda Vista injunction that was established a few years ago the officer explained that there is only a handful of the original people who where part of the injunction still in the area.  Most of the people have moved away.   There is no word of a new injunction.  The people in the Linda Vista area are much less criminal or violent. 

The website arjis.org was a source given to look at crime in a given area.  There is a map available at this site to compare the different areas crime levels.

INFORMATION ITEMS continued

2- 7:00 p.m. time certain Historical significance of Skateworld continued

 An oral history of Linda Vista’s Shopping Center including the Skateworld building, which is the last building remaining of the first shopping center in the United States , was discussed among the Linda Vista Community members present.

3- Exploring the City’s Redevelopment Plans for Linda Vista continued with Part 4:  Historical Assessment of the Skateworld building was presented by Ruth Alter.  Ms. Alter gave a detailed report.  The highlights of the report include:

1.  The Historical Resource Guidelines were used to aide her in her study on the Skateworld property.

                2.  She used 4 areas when considering the historical significance of a building.

                                A- Event, series of events---national, state and local   

                                B- Personages of importance

                                C- Design, notable architect, architecture and unique materials            

                                D- Archeological

3.  She found that the building that houses Skateworld fits 3 of the 4 criteria she looked at.  (B does not apply to the Skateworld complex.  This would require direct association not a person of note visiting the building.)

4.  Since this is the last link to the original shopping center, this building is significant.

5.  The barrel, vault architecture is a rarity now and is historical and also significant.  The building is definitely a landmark of the Linda Vista Community and is therefore important.

6.  In 1983 remodeling to the exterior of the building was done where the storefronts are now located and the building now does not mirror the original building in its entirety, therefore, the whole building cannot be considered historically significant.  She stated that it wasn’t necessary to have the entire building registered.  Part of the building can be registered as a historical building.               

7.  Kathy Winterrode, of the Historical Research Board, contact information is 619-236-5555.

• The portion of the October 24, 2004 minutes was read by Rob Spahitz.  The LVPG is on record that they would like to maintain the same recommendations as voiced then that Skateworld remain in the community and that the Redevelopment Agency work with Gary Stang to try to make it happen.
• Mr. Stang’s financial records were made public and were discussed at length by of the Redevelopment Agency.
• There was much discussion on the Skateworld topic.  Some of the items included:

1.  Questions regarding if the KATZ survey will be used in deciding the best use of the property.     Ms. Barreiros assured us it was being considered.

2.  Comments were made that as a month to month lessee how difficult it is to justify doing improvements to the property when he may lose his lease at any time.

3.  The rental income going to the City rather than to Mr. Stang would be detrimental to his continuing with his business as owner of Skateworld.

4.  How as a business owner, for tax purposes, his tax returns would not reflect his true income generated on the property.

                5.  This is the last skating rink in San Diego and should be allowed to remain.

6.  It is the only place in Linda Vista the youth and families of Linda Vista can go for recreation.

• Eliana Barreiros then spoke regarding the Redevelopment Agency’s purpose is to find the best use for the property.  They feel this is not happening with the Skateworld property.  She stated this property is valued at two million dollars and is only bringing in $1600 a year in tax revenue.
• Ms. Alter stated that one copy of the Historical Report would be made available to the LVPC board.

GOVERNMENT/AGENCY REPORTS continued

Donna Frye’s office:  her representative, Mark Sauer, notified the group about a soccer tournament to be held on the Mesa College campus to benefit Linda Vista children ages 9-13.  The Oct 20^th meeting had the left turn mitigation at Mesa on the agenda.

Brian Schoenfisch—there will be a COW class October 28, 2008 , Wednesday at 6:00 p.m.   This class may be available on line.  Grant money is available to complete the trolley route at the Midcoast Corridor which runs from Old Town to University Town Center .

--Bussell left at 8:00 p.m.   17 board members present.

Quarry Falls approval.  Meeting on this will be at the Mission Valley Library at 12 noon .

Thrift Village .  Lucy Tran is no longer holder of the lease on the property.

--Riguelme left at 8:20 p.m.    16 board members present.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

ZONING  -- (Castro)  Since the Zoning committee Chair does not have the required information and paperwork from the City, the land use items need to be placed on hold until the Zoning committee receives required paperwork.

TRAFFIC– Beckham on 11/13 the Padre Gold Telecommunications goes before the City Council.

MAD – (Tomcek) 11/17/08 will be the next meeting date.

Meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.   Respectfully submitted by Kathleen Morgen, Recording Secretary