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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HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES COLLABORATIVE ADDRESSES HOUSING AND OTHER ISSUES IN REFUGEE COMMUNITY
By Janis Mork August 29, 2013 (San Diego) – At the San Diego Refugee Forum on August 20, the focus was on housing issues faced by refugees. The forum covered a variety of programs on housing and other topics, including announcements of upcoming events in San Diego and East County. Faith Espejo, Director of Program and Operations, and Tina
SAN DIEGO RANKED 9TH MOST EXPENSIVE CITY TO LIVE IN
June 25, 2013 (San Diego) — San Diego ranks 9th on the list of most expensive cities. Kiplinger’s ranks the ten cheapest—and also the ten most expensive— US cities to live in based on the Council for Community and Economic Research’s calculations of living expenses in 307 urban areas. The Cost of Living Index measures prices for housing, groceries,
LOCAL HOME SALES JUMPED 15 PERCENT IN MAY
June 12, 2013 (San Diego) – Local home sales were strong in May and median prices continued to rise steadily, according to the latest housing statistics from the Greater San Diego Association of REALTORS® (SDAR). Detached home sales increased 15 percent in May compared to April, and about 10 percent from last year. Properties also continued to be scooped
HUBBELL/ILAN-LAEL FOUNDATION OPEN HOUSE JUNE 16
May 27, 2013 (Santa Ysabel) – The Hubbell/Ilan-Lael Foundation will be holding an Open House Studio and Home Tour of renowned architect, James Hubbell’s home and studio on June 16 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at 930 Orchard Lane, Santa Ysabel. A morning tour is offered between 11 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. The afternoon tours will be between 2
16TH ANNUAL SAGE AND SONGBIRDS GARDEN TOUR AND FESTIVAL DRAWS A CROWD
By Janis Mork May 20, 2013 (Alpine) – The 16th annual Sage and Songbirds event this year featured seven self-guided tours around a church garden, two colorful home gardens, and the Sky Hunters birds of prey facility. This event was hosted by CHIRP for Garden Wildlife Inc. The event held May 4-6 also included a festival at Viejas Outlet Centers, where
A DELIGHTFUL DAY ON THE DEERHORN VALLEY HOME AND GARDEN TOUR
By Miriam Raftery April 28, 2013 (Deerhorn Valley) – The first-annual Deerhorn Valley Home and Garden Tour on April 21 provided an intriguing glimpse into the history of this fascinating area of East County, as well as tours of a spectacular and diverse array of homes and gardens. A unique aspect of this tour, unlike others that are self-guided,
EL CAJON CENTENNIAL MOMENTS: SHARING A PIECE OF CITY HISTORY AT HISTORIC HOME TOUR MAY 4
April 25, 2013 (El Cajon) – In celebration of El Cajon’s Centennial, the El Cajon Historical Society will sponsor a tour of the Historic JPR Hall Ranch House in El Cajon on Saturday, May 4, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Lemonade and iced tea will be available in the garden. Admission is $15 in advance and $20 at the door.
LOCAL PROPERTY VALUES UP 10%; ASSESSMENT REVIEW DEADLINE APRIL 30
April 18, 2013 (San Diego) – Residential property values have been rising in San Diego County. Depending upon the source of the real estate information, values have risen 10 percent or more in the past year. However, if a property owner believes their property’s market value as of January 1, 2013 is below their current assessed value, they may request
REP. SUSAN DAVIS RE-INTRODUCES BILL TO HELP HOMEOWNERS AVOID FORECLOSURE
April 11, 2013 (Washington D.C.) – As homeowners in San Diego and across the nation continue to tangle with banks, Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) re-introduced legislation to give people another tool to avoid foreclosure and the subsequent damage to the their credit rating. The Short Sale Transparency Act will require Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to disclose the minimum
AMERICAN HOME SHOW COMES TO EAST COUNTY APRIL 5-7: FEATURES MADE-IN-AMERICA PRODUCTS
By Miriam Raftery March 21, 2013 (Santee) – American Home Show will present the first-ever Spring Home Show at the Town Center Community Park and Santee Sport Complex in Santee on April 5, 6 and 7 from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily. Admission is free. ‘The show inspires homeowners with countless ideas on enhancing their home’s comfort and
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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