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VOLUME 27 NUMBER 5
Planners oppose proposed district change By Karen Billing Staff Writer The city of San Diego is in the process of re-drawing its eight districts and eventually will add a ninth. One local group is pitching a plan that would move Carmel Valley from District 1 to District 5. The Asian and Pacific American Coalition (APAC) has taken an active interest in the City Council’s redistricting committee as they see it as a way to bring together a new district that includes the large Asian populations in Mira Mesa (District 5) and Rancho Penasquitos (District 1)— Asian Americans make up 48 percent of the population in Mira Mesa and 37 percent of Rancho Penasquitos. “Naturally those two areas have a common interest,” said APAC member Dr. Allen Chan at the Carmel Valley Community Planning Board meeting on Jan. 27. “We think that it’s time that our interests be represented.” With APAC’s new district map, Carmel Valley and Pacific Highlands Ranch would be in District 5 with Rancho Bernardo and other communities to the east. The Torrey Hills and Torrey Pines communities would remain in District 1. The planning board did not respond favorably to APAC’s plan. “This plan takes my community away from my community of interest and
See PLANNERS, page 15
FEBRUARY 3, 2011
Bond measure considered for voter approval by high school district Facilities Task Force presents findings to San Dieguito Union High School District board By Marsha Sutton Staff Writer A facilities workshop held Jan. 18 presented San Dieguito Union High School District board members with the latest findings of a Facilities Task Force formed in December 2008 to explore facilities needs for the dis-
trict for the next 50 years. At the meeting, board members gave cautious approval to consider a bond measure to bring before voters in 2012 to fund some or all of the projects. The district will now move forward “with a planning process over the next nine months
that will culminate in a “go/no go” decision for a November 2012 bond levy,” said SDUHSD superintendent Ken Noah, emphasizing that no decision has yet been made to proceed with the bond measure. Noah said trustees “will exercise significant discrimi-
Pajama Jam & Bingo Night
nation in determining precisely what should be presented to voters, both in projects and cost, if the decision to place a bond on the ballot is made.” The need for more dollars has been driven by the state’s severe cuts to education in recent years, as well
See BOND, page 6
June start likely for CV hotel construction By Karen Billing Staff Writer Last year might have been the final year to get Halloween pumpkins or Christmas trees at the vacant lot on El Camino Real—developers are aiming for June to begin construction on the new Carmel Valley Residence Inn. The eight-story, 118room hotel will be located across the street from the Doubletree, next to the Del Mar Marriott and Hampton Inn. At the Carmel Valley Community Planning Board meeting on Jan. 27, the board approved a small
(Above) Torrey Hills Elementary School students enjoy the school’s Pajama Jam held Jan. 28. (Right) Liane, Molly and Claire Laneat at Solana Highlands school’s recent Bingo Night. For more see pages B10-B11. Photos/ Jon Clark
as diminishing developer fees, deteriorating facilities and the district’s stated desire to provide equity for students at each of the district’s schools. School districts, Noah said, must prepare a summa-
elevator penthouse for the top of the building and one additional room as the developers decided to change a resident manager’s quarters into an additional room. The elevator penthouse does not change the roofline or elevation at all. “The hotel market suffered dramatically over the last three years, but we’re seeing a fairly decent recovery which is encouraging,” said Hunter Oliver of Prospect Street Hotel Partners. Construction bids for the 120,960-square-foothotel went out in January.
Del Mar Highlands Town Center upgrade halfway finished By Karen Billing Staff Writer Del Mar Highlands Town Center Manager Elizabeth Schreiber said they have reached the halfway point in their ren-
ovations on the shopping center, with the project expected to be complete by mid-July. The center’s “re-imaging” is bringing improved parking, more restaurants and a com-
pletely revamped UltraStar Cinemas. “We’re focusing now on a tremendous amount of work in the amphitheater,” Schreiber said of the area that is completely
Patty Keck 760.681.6081 Christie Kramer-LeVander 760.632.9302
walled off. In the amphitheater area the popular children’s fountain will be replaced with a new one and five new shops will be added. On the second level on
top of the shops will be a large patio area with a fire pit and outdoor furniture. Near Tilly’s, The Counter burger restaurant
See HIGHLANDS, page 6
Lillian Shine 760.310.4800
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Neda Nourani 760.822.7154