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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WHY THE REAL ESTATE MARKET LOOKS BRIGHT FOR SAN DIEGO
By Ryan Zuckerman, Homehub.com After a few years of a down economy and real estate market, the sun is rising again, as things turn around for the housing market in San Diego. How you might ask? Here are HomeHub.com’s top three reasons why we believe the future is a bright for the real estate market in San Diego. Remember this,
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REAL ESTATE MARKET FINISHES STRONG AT END OF 2012
Foreclosures down 41% in California and 19% nationwide By Kurt Wannebo January 5, 2013 (San Diego)–The year 2012 has become the critical turning point in this downward market that began many years ago. Analysts will say that the real estate market started its downward trend in 2008, however, through my work I was able to see indicators and pockets of
MAYOR FILNER AND NAAC ANNOUNCE FREE HOMEOWNERS CONFERENCE DEC. 15 IN SAN DIEGO
Do you qualify for compensation due to wrongful foreclosure in 2009 or 2010? Find out and get help–free December 13, 2012 (San Diego) — San Diego’s newly-elected Mayor Bob Filner and the National Asian American Coalition (NAAC) are co-sponsoring what could be the largest Independent Foreclosure Review (IFR) event and resource fair in California this year. Under the IFR review,
WHAT ‘S UP WITH THIS DOWN MARKET?
By Kurt Wannebo, CEO, San Diego Real Estate and Investments (SDREI) November 26, 2012 (San Diego)–Did you know that right now that we are actually in a seller’s market and prices are starting to go up? If you are a buyer waiting for the bottom of the market to buy, news flash, you already missed it by a couple of
TIPS FOR A SAFE AND WARM WINTER SEASON
By Juan Velasco November 22, 2012 (San Diego) — With the cold weather setting in, consumers should be aware of certain safety measures and energy-efficient tips to keep their home comfortable throughout the winter months. 1. One of the easiest heating tips: On sunny days, take advantage of the sun to bring in heat. Adjust blinds so they are open and tilted
SAN DIEGO COUNCIL APPROVES PROPERTY VALUE PROTECTION ORDINANCE
November 20, 2012 (San Diego)—By a 5-3 vote, San Diego’s City Council voted last week to pass the Property Value Protection Ordinance (PVPO) aimed at helping banks clean up blighted foreclosure properties. It requires banks to register with the city and pay a $76 fee whenever they take action to foreclose a home. The registry makes it possible to immediately identify the bank
HOLIDAY HOME TOUR DECEMBER 1 IN LAKESIDE
November 19, 2012 (Lakeside) — The Lakeside Historical Society will be hosting their annual HOLIDAY HOME TOUR on Saturday, December 1 from 10a.m. until 2p.m. Four unique homes and one business will be featured on the self-guided tour. The Lakeside Museum and Olde Community Church will open for viewing as well. Mrs Clause Christmas Resale Shoppe will be open for shopping.
THE BLACK FRIDAY BARGAIN: WHY NOW IS THE TIME TO START PLANNING THE HOME REMODEL OF YOUR DREAMS
November 15, 2012 (Sunnyvale, CA)—With the holidays (and associated chaos) fast approaching, you probably aren’t putting much thought into home improvement—except, perhaps, to grumble about the fact that you’ll have to cook another Thanksgiving meal in your outdated kitchen, or to wish that you didn’t have to steer your fa-la-la-ing guests toward your house’s only bathroom with its leaky faucet.
CHRISTMAS IN ALPINE HOME TOUR, DECEMBER 9
November 15, 2012 (Alpine) — The Alpine Woman’s Club will hold its eighth annual “Christmas in Alpine” Holiday Home Tour on Sunday, December 9th from 10a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be an opportunity to stroll through five stunning country estates and view one of Alpine’s beautiful churches, which will be decorated for the season. The historic town hall will
THE ALPINE WOMAN’S CLUB 8TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY HOME TOUR IS DECEMBER 9TH
November 9, 2012 (Alpine) – The Alpine Woman’s Club 8th Annual Holiday Home Tour is December 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. You will have an opportunity to stroll through five stunning homes which will be decorated for the holidays and visit a local church which will also be decorated for the season. Ticket holders can stop by the
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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