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An Independent Weekly Newspaper Serving the Backcountry Communities of Julian, Cuyamaca, Santa Ysabel, Shelter Valley, Mt. Laguna, Ranchita, Sunshine Summit, Warner Springs and Wynola.
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Periodical • Wednesday
Time Sensitive Material
February 10, 2016 Volume 31 - Issue 27 ISSN 1937-8416
Julian, CA.
www.JulianNews.com
Hoskings Ranch Development Approved By County Planning
Time To Turn Off The Lights The time has come to turn off exterior holiday lights in the Julian town site. The request comes from the Architectural Review Board, which is charged with maintaining the town’s historic look, resembling what was here during the Gold Rush era from 1870to 1913. The only authentic town of its kind in Southern California, Julian’s historic ambiance draws the visitors each year who support our economy. There were no holiday lights during the historic period. An exception is made for a few weeks at the end of the year, when the town celebrates Christmas and other holidays. Please extinguish the colorful outdoor lights and remove any outdoor remaining holiday decorations by February 17. The ARB can cite businesses that don’t comply.
Borrego’s First Open Studio Tour Soroptimist of Borrego Springs is hosting the first Artist’s Open Studio Tour on Sunday, February 21. The self-guided tour will be held from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, with reception to follow at Borrego Art Institute. Tickets are $20.00 and can be purchased at online at http://borego.wix.com/ soroptimist or in operson at The Fudge Factory, Tumbleweed, or The Desert Robin in Borrego Springs. Tickets purchased on-line may be picked at these locations as well.
Changes To Chamber Mixers Starting in March 2015 the Julian Chamber of Commerce mixers will be free to two people per business member or member, but five dollars for each guest regardless of age. If a person is not a chamber member they will pay five dollars as well regardless of age. The mixers are held usually on the first Thursday of the month to allow business owners to network and meet each other plus announce activities or specials that their businesses are having. The mixers are held either at the business’s location or at the basement of the Town Hall in downtown Julian. For a list of the future Julian Chamber of Commerce mixers and their locations please call the Chamber office: 760-7651857
Eighteen people from Julian appeared at the County Planning Commission hearings on Friday, Feb. 5, to speak about the proposed development on the Hoskings property. The 1,400+ acre piece of land stretching south and west from the corner of Pine Hills Road and Highway 78 is proposed to be divided into 24 large lots, each of which may have a house and other buildings “incidental to agriculture”; the lots will be linked by a system of roads with entrances from Pine Hills Road and through the existing Hoskings Ranch property west of Wynola. Genesee Properties, the owner of the land, also proposes retaining the property under the Williamson Act which substantially reduces taxes on agricultural land. The Williamson Act, passed by the State of California in 1965 enables local governments to enter into contracts with private landowners for the purpose of restricting specific parcels of land to agricultural or related open space use and substantially reduces taxes on that land. Representatives of the developer spoke first, essentially repeating the points they have made in prior presentations. There will be 24 lots of a minimum 40 acre size and the rest of the land will be maintained either as open space to protect endangered species or (most of it) for cattle grazing. Individual owners may eventually decide to put in orchards or vineyards or use some of the land for other agricultural pursuits. Roads would be widened at the Pine Hills Road/Highway 78 junction to allow for increases in turning traffic and threats to endangered species would be mitigated. Kiki Munshi addressed the Planning Commission first for those opposed to the development, asking how the land could be called ‘agricultural’ under the Williamson Act (which specifies that commercial agriculture be maintained) when the cattle, now being used as justification for lower taxes, now bring in (generously) $5,000 per year which would amount to $17.36 per lot per month. She also noted that grazing operations require an 80 acre minimum while 40 acre parcels were for breeding operations and added that that one bull hardly constituted a “breeding operation” for 24 lots. Munshi added that the wells on the property, as tested, would not support more intensive agriculture. Munshi was followed by Lynn Jarman who noted that in 2006 the Planning Commission had recommended the development not be approved. Citing the laws quoted then to support that decision, Jarman pointed out that they had not changed; the only difference was the addition of 40 head of cattle so that land could be called ‘agricultural’. Jarman echoed Munshi in saying that the cattle currently on the land did not justify calling the houses and other structures that might be built “incidental to agriculture” as required by the law. Others, including Brian and Nancy Kramer, Karin Krawiec and Chris Elisara questioned the impact on natural resources and the visual beauty of the countryside. Teak Nichols pointed out that a huge amount of earth would be moved and that if it spread at a depth of four inches on Highway 78 starting at the Pine Hills Corner it would cover the road all the way to the County Operations Center. Almost all speakers expressed their concern about water usage and several raised concerns about the impact on the golden eagle and other wildlife. Representatives of the Hoskings Ranch Homeowners’ Association had a separate issue. The roads through their property, now 15’ wide, would be enlarged to 24’ to allow access to the new development. This would threaten at least one well and be an enormous intrusion on their landscape and privacy. The Hoskings’ HOA representative contended that his deed stated his property extended to the center line of the existing road. The developers’ representative, who noted that Genessee Properties had two lots in that development, contended that they had a 60’ easement. Mike Menghini spoke in favor of the development drawing on his respect for private property rights and said he didn’t know of any water shortages in the Julian area and that this shouldn’t be a concern. Jack Shoo, the President of the Cleveland National Forest Foundation spoke against the proposal. The Planning Commission staff had already recommended the plan be approved but the Commissioners had a number of questions. Many concerned the Williamson Act. At least one Commissioner said he had not been familiar with the legislation before this project came up and others as well as the Commission staff seemed to be hesitant about some of its provisions. Another Commissioner had specific questions on golden eagle habitat. The developers were asked about the concerns of the Hoskings Ranch HOA and replied that they had the necessary easements for use of the private road. The Commissioners noted that the Julian Planning Group had approved the project at several points. Some of the concerns raised by Julian residents, such as multiple errors in several of the reports commissioned by Genesee Properties, were not addressed. In the end, the Commissioners approved the project 7 to 0 with the added conditions that golden eagles and predators be protected. “I think we did well,” said Lynn Jarman after the hearings. “It took 12 years and millions of dollars for the developer to get the County Planning Commission to recommend approval of the HR development. It took us only 2 months, with the combined effort of many Julian neighbors, to raise serious concerns about the viability of this proposed development. Next step, the Board of Supervisors hearing (in April or May) where a DECISION will be made on whether this development will actually happen. Julian will be there . . . we've only just begun!”
Jess Martin Park Gets Green Light From Supervisors For Needed Improvements Big news for Little Leaguers and others: My fellow Supervisors joined me today to set aside federal grant money to spruce up the ball fields at Jess Martin Park in Julian. Better grass, better irrigation lines and re-graded fields are planned. Thanks to Julian residents for their input on this needed project. Authorization To Advertise And Award A Construction Contract continued on page 10
1985
Out With The Old, In With The New - Chamber Board
Girls Basketball
Incoming board being sworn in by Supervisor Jacob, outgoing President Mike Menghini receiving special recognition(upper right).
Thursday, January 21 - W 39-28 Warner Friday, January 22 - 3:30 @ Gompers Prep Monday, January 25 - L 43-29 Borrego Wednesday, January 27 - L 63-27 Calvary Christian Tuesday, February 2 - 4:00 @ San Pasqual Academy Friday, February 5 - L 33-30 St Joseph Academy Tuesday, February 9 - 4:00 Escondido Adventist Friday, February 12 - 4:00 San Pasqual Academy Tuesday, February 16 - 4:00 @ St Joseph Academy Friday, February 19 - 4:00 @ Escondido Adventist
Boys Basketball
Outgoing board members Randy Meyers and Mike Menghini presented service awards by State Senator Anderson.
Gaveling Saturday Night
Thursday, January 21 - W 58-55 Warner Monday, January 25 - W 69-42 Borrego Wednesday, January 27 - L 67-65 Calvary Christian Tuesday, February 2 - L 45-23 @ San Pasqual Academy Friday, February 5 - 7:00 St Joseph Academy Tuesday, February 9 - 5:30 Escondido Adventist Friday, February 12 - W 41-39 San Pasqual Academy Tuesday, February 16 - 4:30 @ St Joseph Academy Friday, February 19 - 5:30 @ Escondido Adventist
Girls Soccer
Over $10,000 was raised at Saturday night Senior Class Auction.
Thursday, January 21 - L 4-2 Mountain Empire Friday, January 22 W 2-0 Rock Academy Tuesday, January 26 - W 6-0 @ Palo Verde Thursday, January 28 - W 7-0 Vincent Memorial Friday, January 29 W 3-1 @ Guajome Park Tuesday, February 2 - W 8-0 @ Borrego Springs Thursday, February 4 - W 6-1 West Shores Tuesday, February 9 - 3:30 @ Mountain Empire
Boys Soccer
Thursday, January 21 - W 5-4 @ Mountain Empire Tuesday, January 26 - L 4-2 Tri City Christian Thursday January 28 L 3-2 @ Ocean View Christian Tuesday, February 2 - W 4-3 Calvary Christian(SD) Thursday, February 4 - L 2- 1 @ San Diego Academy Tuesday, February 9 - 3:15 Mountain Empire Thursday, February 11 - 3:15 @ Tri City Christian Tuesday, February 16 - 3:15 Ocean View Christian Thursday February 18 - 3:15 @ Calvary Christian
Wrestling
Wednesday, February 3 - 4:30 Citrus Quad Meet Army-Navy Academy, Guajome Park, @Mountain Empire Saturday, February 13 - 9:00 Girls CIF Finals Freshman County Wrestling Saturday, February 20 - 9:00
Valentines Weekend - Valentine’s Teas th thru th Julian Tea & Cottage Arts • February 11 15