Design review approves mural, seeks candidate for vacant seat

No interested candidates showed up for the vacant seat on the Ramona Design Review Board at its March 26 meeting in which the only action taken was approving a proposed mural for the Ramona Chamber of Commerce building.

Robert Krysak, chamber president, said artist Sunny Peterson approached the chamber to do a mural on the front of the building at 960 Main St. He presented an illustration of the proposed mural showing a collage of scenery and sights representing the community under the chamber’s Ramona logo. Included are snapshots of Ramona Town Hall, the Amy Strong Castle, a ranch scene and a wine bottle and grapes.

“This is a wonderful addition,” said Greg Roberson, board president.

The only change the board asked for was to remove the words “Chamber of Commerce” in a heart under the Ramona logo, and instead suggested adding “Heart of San Diego” or hiding a heart on the mural for people to find.

“We’re trying to attract people to walk downtown,” said Krysak.

In other business, board member Rob Lewallen, who is also chair of the Ramona Village Design Group, said county staff will make a presentation about density in the town center and the form-based code at the Ramona Community Planning Group’s April 2 meeting. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in Ramona Library Community Room, 1275 Main St. Concerns about density have resulted from an apartment complex of 62 units proposed for 16th Street.

Lewallen also invited the design review board to attend the village design group’s first “annual tune-up” meeting for the Ramona Village Center Form-Based Code on April 27. Among areas in the document that Lewallen said need review and consideration of changes are: signage, density, site landscape requirements and increasing parking spaces for multi-dwelling residential units from 1 to 2 spaces per unit.

The board talked about some commercial properties on Main Street where plants have died and the landscaping look differs from the original site plan. Member Jim Cooper pointed out that there is a water shortage and Chris Anderson said the board cannot act as enforcement. Scotty Ensign said he thought the intention of the form-based code was to create a more walkable Main Street and he was concerned about visuals.

Members suggested creating a list of drought-tolerant plants and hardscape ideas to improve the look with little use of water and to possibly collaborate with the Ramona Municipal Water District to disseminate the information.

Anyone interested in finishing the term of the at-large vacant board seat is asked to attend the next meeting, April 30, beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the Ramona Community Center. Candidates must live or have a business in Ramona, the ability to read building plans, and preferably have an understanding of the design or building industries. The term ends in September.