East County Magazine
County hosts webinar October 22 on Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) proposed ordinance
East County News Service October 14, 2025 (San Diego) – The County of San Diego Planning & Development Services (PDS) invites you to attend a virtual meeting to share your thoughts on the draft ordinance for the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Zoning Ordinance Amendment and the proposed Separate Sale of ADUs Program, which is currently available for public review.
Reduced Santee Council approves 285-unit condo project near Town Center Community Park
By Mike Allen October 5, 2025 (Santee) — The vacant lot behind the Cameron YMCA will soon be vacant no longer. The Santee City Council voted 3-0 to approve a 285-unit condominium project on the 22.17-acre site which had long been used by dog walkers, model car and plane users, and overspill parking during big events at the Town Center
Harmony Grove Village South development approved by Board of Supervisors despite controversy
By Paul Levikow Photo, left: Brenda Wright October 2, 2025 (San Diego) — The San Diego County Board of Supervisors Wednesday unanimously approved a housing development in the North County community of Harmony Grove, despite objections by several residents who expressed concerns about the lack of a second evacuation route during wildfires. The Harmony Grove Village South development will be
Jones’ mobile home insurance bill passes Legislature: measure would protect owners in case of disaster
East County News Service September 25, 2025 (Sacramento) — Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones (R-San Diego) announced passage of his SB 525, which if signed by the Governor would help manufactured and mobile home owners afford to acquire full replacement cost insurance policies. “Mobile home owners should not be treated like second rate citizens when it comes to protecting
Losses in Coches Fire show need for firewise upgrades to mobilehomes: County offers grants and loans to mobilehome owners
By Miriam Raftery Photos and video by Josh Stotler View video Updated Sept. 10, 2025 with latest damage assessment based on a report from Lakeside’s Fire Marshal September 9, 2025 (Lakeside) – Swift action by firefighters including aerial attacks held yesterday’s Coches Fire to 5.3 acres, but the damage was substantial. Five homes were destroyed, including three mobilehomes at the
El Cajon receives SANDAG grants to improve streetscapes, revamp Parkway Plaza and add housing
Photo by Karen Pearlman East County News Service Sept. 4, 2025 (El Cajon) – El Cajon has been given a Notice of Intent to be awarded three grants through the San Diego Association of Governments TransNet Smart Growth Incentive Program. The city is expecting to receive one engineering grant and two planning grants as part of SANDAG’s
Building together: local trades connect at Ram’s Hill Golf Cottages
Meet-and-Greet By Jennifer Sencion September 2, 2025 (Borrego Springs) – On July 31, Borrego Community Builders, in partnership with Skyline Construction, hosted a Subcontractor Meet-and-Greet in Borrego Springs to connect local tradespeople with a landmark hospitality project. The gathering brought together electricians, plumbers, painters, construction crews, and other skilled trades from Borrego Springs and neighboring desert communities, providing a
East County Neighborhoods Could Be Impacted By Proposed State Law to Allow Significantly More Multi-Family Housing Projects
By Paul Levikow Image, left, via United Neighbors August 26, 2025 (East County) – Large-scale, high-rise apartment complexes could soon be built within a half mile of a bus stop or trolley station near you, under a proposed state law that would take away local control of developments and turn single-family neighborhoods into high-density housing. State Senate Bill 79, the
How much more valuable is land in East County cities? $14 billion in El Cajon, $10 billion in La Mesa, $9 billion in Santee,$3 billion in Lemon Grove
East County News Service Photo from left to right: Jordan Z. Marks, San Diego County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk (ARCC) and Andrew Potter, Executive Officer, Clerk of the Board of Supervisors. August 21, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – Land in East County has never been worth so much. According to Jordan Z. Marks, San Diego County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk (ARCC), the
Disparate impacts in fair housing and how to get help
By Vanessa Rojas, Fair Housing Program Manager July 31, 2025 (El Cajon) — Renters generally pay their rent through the most practical option for themselves. It may be easier for some people to pay through cashier’s checks, personal checks, money orders, or online. However, what works for one person can end up being tedious, harder, or impossible to do for
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PARDEE HOMES DONATES $5,000 TO SANTEE SANTAS FOR LOCAL FAMILIES IN NEED
December 23, 2013 (Santee) – As part of its commitment to the communities in which it builds, Pardee Homes announced on December 18 a $5,000 contribution to the Santee Santas Foundation to purchase food, toys and flowers for local families and seniors this holiday season. The grant, made possible through Pardee’s parent company, Weyerhaeuser, will help support the Santee
TOP TIPS TO PROTECT YOUR HOME AND FAMILY DURING THANKSGIVING
November 27, 2013 (San Diego) – The holiday season isn’t all twinkling lights and home-baked pies. Did you know that household hazards and preventable damages peak significantly in the holiday season? For example, on average, there are three times more turkey fryer claims during the holiday season than any other time of the year. The median cost for turkey
HOMES NEEDED FOR CHRISTMAS IN ALPINE HOME TOUR
November 14, 2013 (Alpine) – For the past 8 years the Alpine Woman’s Club has sponsored “Christmas in Alpine” Home Tour. However, as of October, the group has only one house for this year’s tour. “This fundraiser helps to provide scholarships that we give away each year. Since 1950 the Alpine Woman’s Club has given away more than $95,000
CITY COUNCIL VICE MAYOR ALESSIO TO MEET WITH PACIFIC SOUTHWEST ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS TODAY
November 13, 2013 (La Mesa) – La Mesa City Council Vice Mayor Kristine Alessio will meet with members of the Pacific Southwest Association of REALTORS® (PSAR) starting at noon today at the PSAR East County Service Center, 1150 Broadway, El Cajon. Topics will include an update on new projects in La Mesa, new development opportunities in La Mesa, the
ENERGY DEMONSTRATION HOUSE IN SANTEE SAVED 49.9% ON ENERGY COSTS
Photo by Erik Hauenstein November 6, 2013 (San Diego) – An “Energy Demonstration House” featured on the San Diego Sustainability Tour in September has generated 49.9% in energy savings for the homeowners. This ‘Clark Kent’ of households was transformed into an energy super-hero to showcase the simply things homeowners can do to slash energy costs and live more
HISTORIC HOMES TOUR SATURDAY IN LA MESA
The La Mesa Historical Society hosts its 8th Annual Home Tour November 2 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Look out Ranch and Morningside tracts features up to seven beautiful, and historic, homes of La Mesa, including the Society’s recently restored McKinney House. Some of the homes are older than the city of La Mesa. The Society will
ENVRIONMENTALISTS WEIGH CHALLENGE AFTER SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL APROVES CASTLEROCK PROJECT AND TRANSFER OF LAND TO SANTEE
By Nadin Abbott September 17, 2013 (San Diego)—The San Diego City Council voted 7-0 to approve the controversial Castlerock housing project on the border of Santee and San Diego. The resolution proposed by Council Member Scott Sherman (District 7) and Council Member David Alvarez (District 8) reads in part, “approve the Staff’s recommendation (Annexation being the preferred scenario).” It
CASTLEROCK PROJECT TO BE HEARD BY SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL SEPTEMBER 16
Environmental concerns, conflict of interests by Lightner raised By Miriam Raftery September 16, 2013 (San Diego) – San Diego’s City Council will hold a hearing today at 2 p.m. on the controversial Castlerock housing project. The project is proposed by Pardee Homes near the boundary between Santee and San Diego. The Planning Commission previously recommended annexing land for
SOLAR HOMES TOUR SEPT. 21 INCLUDES EAST COUNTY HOMES
September 15, 2013 (San Diego’s East County)–The non-profit San Diego Renewable Energy Society’s 13th San Diego Sustainability Tour features free, open house tours of 10 energy-smart homes showcasing the gamut of energy efficiency and solar solutions San Diegans are employing to slash utility bills, power their electric vehicles (EVs), improve property values and reap rich tax credits and cash
EARTHTALK®: GREEN HOME RENOVATION
September 12, 2013 (San Diego) – Dear EarthTalk: I’m planning a major home renovation and want to include as many green-friendly features as possible. Where do I begin to look? — Matthew Glaser, Queens, NY There has never been a better time to renovate green, given the abundance of Earth-friendly building material choices
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Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting — not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine’s local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.
Our Guide to Live Entertainment venues