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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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.
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DWELL HOME TOURS EXPLORE AMERICA’S FINEST CITY NOV. 10 – 11
November 9, 2012 (San Diego) — Fans of modern design are invited to explore some of the most notable modern residences in San Diego this fall when the Dwell Home Tours (www.dwellhometours.com) come to America’s Finest City for the first time. The San Diego Tours take place on November 10 and 11 showcasing ten amazing modern homes through the East
LA MESA HISTORICAL SOCIETY 2012 CENTENNIAL YEAR HOME TOUR IS NOV. 3
October 26, 2012 (La Mesa) – La Mesa Historical Society’ hosts its 2012 Centennial Home Tour on November 3, which will focus on 5 historic/classic homes in the Date Avenue/Mt. Nebo area. The event will be from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. and will begin at the Shuttle Bus Stop at the City Parking Lot on the northeast corner of
MORTGAGE-FREE HOMES AVAILABLE TO COMBAT-WOUNDED VETERANS, GOLD STAR SPOUSES
October 15, 2012 (Sacramento) — The California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) learned today that Military Warriors Support Foundation is currently accepting applications online from combat-wounded veterans and unmarried Gold Star Spouses of OIF/OEF for newly-renovated, 100% mortgage-free homes in Bakersfield, Crescent City, Riverbank, Sacramento and Stockton, California. Applicants must be honorably retired or separated from the military and must
PROTECT YOUR HOME: FIRESCAPING WITH NATIVE PLANTS SEPT. 29
September 27, 2012 (El Cajon) – The Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College will offer a fire-wise gardening seminar with Greg Rubin, native plant expert from California’s Own Native Landscape Design. Cost is $20 for members, $28 for nonmembers. The program will be held on Saturday, September 29 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. For more information or to register,
10 STEPS TO CHOOSING A TRUSTED HVAC CONTRACTOR
By Colin Martodam September 14, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)–It’s inevitable. At some point, everyone needs to call a heating and air conditioning company for maintenance, repairs and/or replacements. Before getting any work done by an HVAC company – or any contractor for that matter – follow these 10 simple steps to ensure you’re hiring a trusted and qualified contractor.
LT. GOV. CALLS UPON U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL HOLDER TO REVIEW THREATS OF RETALIATORY ACTIONS BY MORTGAGE INDUSTRY
September 13, 2012 (Sacramento)– Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom called upon Attorney General Eric Holder and members of the Antitrust Division at the Office of the Attorney General to review the actions of some members of the mortgage industry, as well as federal agencies, who have coercively urged local governments to reject consideration of any proposal that would exercise the powers
COLOR GARDEN TOUR AT THE WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN
September 6, 2012 (El Cajon) — Rosalie Dosik, landscape painter and avid gardener, will walk the Garden with you and show you how to coordinate color among your hardscape, walls, pots, plants, and everything else. The principles of texture, value and hue will be clearly defined and illustrated through the Garden’s beautiful examples.This is a FREE tour open to all
INDISPENSABLE DAFFODILS
From Longfield Gardens: www.longfield-gardens.com September 3, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) — In life some questions loom larger than others. Certainly, for gardeners, one of the biggies worth working out this time of year borders on the cosmic: Does the concept “too many daffodils” exist? Seriously: can one ever have enough daffodils? Daffodils are more than fabulous. They’re indispensable. Planted
WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN ANNOUNCES FALL & WINTER EVENTS CALENDAR
August 30, 2012 (Rancho San Diego)—The Water Conservation Garden invites the public to enjoy its 2012 Fall/Winter calendar of classes and events. Gardening classes help residents save water and money by focusing on water-smart landscaping techniques and plants. Classes are taught by professionals, with offerings for both adults and children. Pre-registration is required for all classes. To enroll call 619-660-0614
VALUE, COST, & PRICE: THE THREE KEYS TO BUYING YOUR NEW HOME
By Megan Gates July 18, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)–When purchasing a home, it’s important to "become an educated buyer," as Dottie Herman frequently advises. Aside from having a finalized budget in place and knowing how much home you can afford, one of the first steps any potential homebuyer should take is to hire a real estate broker
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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