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.
East County Arts Organizations
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FROM THE REAL ESTATE TRENCHES: THE BIG PICTURE, PLUS LOCAL REAL ESTATE NEWS
By Charlotte Reed, REALTOR, SRES CRS Windermere SoCal Real Estate La Mesa Branch July 13, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) –This week in the real estate trenches, we bring you some “big picture” news of landmark state legislation and a major federal court case settlement, both of which have major ramifications for our local real estate market, lenders
GOVERNOR SIGNS HOMEOWNERS BILL OF RIGHTS INTO LAW
July 11, 2012 — Marking a major milestone for Californians and all Americans, the Homeowners Bill of Rights, a package of bills sponsored by Attorney General Kamala D. Harris that gives homeowners important new protections and places restrictions on how aggressively banks can foreclose, was signed into law today by Governor Brown. As Attorney General, Kamala Harris has made homeowner
SENATOR JOEL ANDERSON AND SAN DIEGO ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® TO HOST FREE WORKSHOP FOR FIRST-TIME HOME BUYERS
Panel of experts to answer questions about purchasing a home July 7, 2012 (El Cajon) — A free workshop to assist the first time home buyer will be held on Saturday, July 14 from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. with a check in at 8:30a.m. with Senator Joel Anderson, the San Diego Association of REALTORS® (SDAR), and a
HOMEOWNER BILL OF RIGHTS HEADS TO GOVERNOR’S DESK
Updated July 5, 2012 with roll-call votes for San Diego legislators July 2, 2012 (Sacramento) – “Sometimes David beats Goliath…Just a few minutes ago, the Homeowner Bill of Rights was passed by the California State Legislature," the Alilance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE) annouced. "This means that Wall Street Banks are on notice: California will no longer tolerate the
HEARTLAND COALITION TAKES NEIGHBORHOOD REDEVELOPMENT SERIOUSLY AT GREEN UP-CLEAN UP BLOCK PARTY
By Sherry Adler, El Cajon, CA June, 22, 2012 (Chula Vista) — An uninhabitable residence at 102 East Oxford Street in Chula Vista provided the setting for Heartland Sustainable Housing (HSH)’s “Clean Up-Green Up Block Party” on Saturday, June 16. HSH is a division of the nonprofit Heartland Coalition, publisher of East County Magazine. Curious
HIGH-POWER LIVING: SOLAR FUELS HOUSE AND VEHICLE FOR LOCAL COUPLE—WITH ALL THE COMFORTS OF HOME
“It’s just the right thing to do.” – Gene Dolphin How Kathy and Gene Dolphin walk their talk every day By Faith Attaguile June 11, 2012, (San Diego) — When the energy “crisis” hit California in 2001, Kathy and Gene Dolphin got angry. The roving blackouts and triple-digit rate increases in California caused by Enron’s market manipulations
STATE SENATE DEFEATS AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUNDING BILL
June 1, 2012 (San Diego)– State legislation that would have generated $500 million annually for the construction of affordable housing in California failed to reach the necessary two-thirds vote in the State Senate today and is dead for the year. “Today’s vote is a disturbing reminder of how little our state is doing to address its lack of
AWARD FINALISTS ANNOUNCED BY SD HOUSING FEDERATION
May 30, 2012 (San Diego) — The San Diego Housing Federation has announced finalists for its annual affordable housing and community development awards newly named the “Ruby Awards . . . There’s No Place Like Home”. Finalists include individuals, organizations and developers of affordable housing. Awards will be given in 11 categories at a reception and awards presentation Thursday, June
BIRD FEEDER BATTLES: WINNING THE WAR AGAINST SQUIRRELS
For bird lovers, the sight of a bushy tail hanging off the side of a feeder means just one thing: war. May 19, 2012 (San Diego County) — Sure, squirrels have to eat, too, and no one wants to harm the persistent critters. But that doesn’t mean you have to put up with squirrels scarfing down the seed
TOP INTERIOR DESIGNERS SHOWCASE FIVE STUNNING HOMES ON ASID’S 2012 SELF-GUIDED REMODEL TOUR MAY 19
The Tour Features a Wisconsin-style “Lake House” on the La Jolla Oceanfront, Tennis Star Bobby Riggs’ 1970’s Remodeled Mid-Century in Ramona and Three North County Homes that Showcase Universal Design for Aging in Place May 11, 2012 — The San Diego Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) is offering an exclusive self-guided tour of five recently
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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