Planners work to improve intersections
Solutions to improve line of sight for an intersection that was recently the scene of a fatality, and a review of a sustainable farm project comprised the bulk of the Ramona Community Planning Group’s May meeting.
On April 7, Sharon Blodgett, 79, was killed in a collision while attempting to make a left turn from Green Haven Lane onto San Vicente Road in San Diego Country Estates. Blodgett was president of the homeowners association for San Vicente Country Estates Villas II, located by that intersection. Due to lack of parking spaces for the villas, vehicles are often parked along San Vicente Road and that impedes line of sight, say condominium residents.
“I’m sorry that it takes a death to get this far, but we need change, folks,” said Jerry Lyness, who has assumed the role of HOA president.
Lyness said there have been at least five accidents in that area in the past two years, including one a week after the fatality.
Lyness presented the homeowners association board’s proposal to improve safety by addressing line of sight, parked vehicles and high traffic speeds on San Vicente Road.
“I’ve watched this traffic grow in 17 years and it’s to the point where it’s crazy,” said Lyness, noting that such traffic and parking needs were probably not envisioned when the condominiums were built 43 years ago.
The villas have two entrances, Green Haven West and Green Haven East.
On San Vicente Road at the east entrance, the HOA proposes extending the “no parking” red painted curb 115 feet west of the center line, constructing a traffic turning movement for westbound San Vicente vehicles to turn left onto Green Haven Lane and construct a turn lane for vehicles leaving Green Haven to turn left. At the west entrance, the HOA proposes to extend the “no parking” curb 220 feet west and 200 feet east from the center line, install flashing yellow caution lights about 340 feet west of the entrance, and construct a westbound traffic merge lane. Between both entrances a dedicated parking only lane is also suggested.
The 110-unit complex has 167 parking spaces, which include garages and carports, said planner Jim Cooper, who went there to observe traffic and noted that tall shrubs by nearby Country Villa Road also obstruct line of sight.
Lee Munsell, who handles the villas’ property management, said some concerns with the suggestions are that residents would park on the opposite side of San Vicente Road and cross the street, and with no parked cars traffic speeds could increase.
A county traffic engineering manager said he will work with the groups on solutions but there should be agreement from all affected property owners.
Planning group chair Jim Piva said they want something done, but want it done the right way. Planners unanimously agreed to table the item until the June 2 meeting.
Piva, who is also president of the San Diego Country Estates Homeowners Association, said that board is working on putting a stoplight in front of the clubhouse to slow traffic speed.
In other business, biologist Di Wu presented his plans for a sustainable agriculture project for his 20-acre property at 2005 Ramona St., at the intersection with Dye Road and next to Royal Vista Road, for which the county says he needs an administrative permit. Wu said the property formerly had a chicken and egg ranch but all buildings were demolished. He plans to use the land for free range pasture-raised animals and horticulture using organic fertilizer, possibly composting manure from nearby farms.
Planner Donna Myers said the project affects about 12 families in the area that were sent letters from the county, but only had three days to comment due to timing of the mailing. She questioned what else is planned since he needs an administrative permit, and said there are vernal pools and Native American grinding stones on that land.
Wu said he is only planning the sustainable farm project, as presented.
“We’re approving what is written here,” said Piva, pointing to the project information from the county, and adding that if there are vernal pools, the county would know.
Planners approved the administrative permit 14-1 with Myers opposed.