Meeting Minutes December 2025

Minutes for Tuesday, December 2, 2025

Normal Heights Community Center/Zoom 

4649 Hawley Avenue 

Attendees: 

X = in attendance 

X	Paul Coogan (C)	X	Kenny Patrick		Emilie Dedeic
X	Allan Harjala (VC)	X	Dan Soderberg		Sierra Orsinelli-Rivers
X	Julia Corbett (S)	X	Mark Lawler	X	Brian Adams
X*	Frances Prichett (T)	X	Nancy Lawler	X*	Madison Stevens
X	Sami Burrows	X	Kim Pham	X*	Matthew Chaffee

Paul called the meeting to order at 6:04 and read the opening reflection. Then Paul gave a brief overview of the meeting procedure. 

Community Attendees

Estimate: 3 zoom participants, 15 attendees in person.

Non-Agenda Public Comment

• Claire Deutch asked about the status of the area in Ward Canyon Park where the Mock building used to be and emphasized that the city needs to be held accountable to complete the park properly.
• Nancy and Jim Baross summarized the presentation provided last month to the Adams Ave. Recreation group on the city’s new plans for the park – the playground equipment is being replaced and moved further back from the street, the dog park is moving to by the freeway barrier and will be smaller than originally planned because CalTrans will not give up the ramp. Jim said he would see about getting the presentation slides to share with the planning group.
• Art Harrison thanked Paul for working to get his street swept, reiterated his concerns with the city’s failure to provide this basic service, and mentioned that the city has told him that the street sweeping is only done on an overtime basis.
• Becky Rapp expressed concerns with the city’s marijuana department’s lack of transparency and called for a full audit.
• Susan Redelings spoke about the council’s activities in October and November and presented Pete Stafford with an award for his efforts in getting a dumpster for clearing canyon brush.
• Susan Redelings spoke about the council’s activities in October and November and presented Pete Stafford with an award for his efforts in getting a dumpster for clearing canyon brush. The group is not aware of where the San Diego River Conservancy gets its funding

Actions/Decisions

November Minutes approved
Brian 1st
Yes: Brian, Nancy, Mark, Paul, Allan, Kenny, Sami, Kim, Matthew, Frances
Abstain: Madison & Dan

Discussion on NHCPG Priorities in the New Year

Paul presented on the group’s mission & vision and asked for board members to provide key words on what they would like to see the group work on next year.

• Dan – combine sustainability with historic resources in development
• Kenny – pooling water – inadequate storm water drainage
• Brian – being proactive regarding the redevelopment of the former DeMilles and Rite Aid
• Allan – basic walkability infrastructure – sidewalks and streetlights
• Nancy – the needed ADA ramps on East Mountain View at the alleys just south of Adams and the poor conditions of the crumbling alleys
• Susan Redelings – Street paving – the streets are unsafe for all users
• Kim – mobility safety – accessibility & walkability – being proactive rather than reactive – keeping up with what SANDAG is doing regarding the purple line.
• Julia – Need more park & green space. Need affordability as part of development.
• Sami – Pedestrian and mobility safety
• Mark – traffic calming
• Parker – Parks – potholes and sidewalks
• Paul – tree canopy. Moonshot – getting the Rite Aid site developed as multi-use with a library branch, affordable housing, and maybe some market-rate housing.
• John Zomisky – Get Von’s to build a new multi-story building like they did on Washington and use the left over land for park space.
• Frances – urban canopy & DeMilles & Rite Aid sites redevelopment
• Matthew – affordability in new developments – accessibility – sidewalk ramps and street paving for bikes.
• Claire Deutch – Accountability – Keep historic feel on Adams with new development (like Starbucks building in Kensington). Need more affordable 2-3 bedroom units.
• Nancy – Mentioned that Encanto rec center had tree planting event and Camino del Sol park planted new trees as well – Should have a similar event in Ward Canyon Park – maybe in the bowl to increase shade.
• Julia asked if anyone would be interested in pursuing canyon restoration with canyon lands. There was discussion – folks were primarily supportive – but no resolution.

In summary the most commonly mentioned priorities are:

1) infrastructure focused on mobility, sidewalks, and drainage

2) tree canopy & green/park space

3) affordability of housing in Normal Heights, especially in new developments

4) traffic safety

5) proactive involvement in development with a focus on inclusion of amenities

Reports/Updates

Elected Representatives Reports & Updates

Fatima from the Mayor’s office

The mayor’s office is getting ready to release a missing middle housing engagement plan soon. Automated License Plate reader ordinance with amendments is coming up for council soon. SPD is getting additional funding for traffic enforcement.

Ashton from Assembly member Sharp-Collins office

The assembly member is accepting suggestions for legislation in the New Year. Constituents can submit their ideas on the assembly member’s website. On 12/20 they are hosting a holiday giveaway at Bell Middle School with turkeys, ham, toys & clothes. They held an apprenticeship fair with over 100 attendees and 20 vendors. There will be a new community rep starting next month named Karolina.

Standing Committees

Community Planners’ Committee – Paul

CPC re-scheduled and is meeting right now. Emilie is there representing the NHCPG. LDC update in the works. Calls for removing the DIF exemption for units under 500 square feet to incentivize larger units for families.

Community Garden Update – Paul

The application for 501(c)(3) non-profit status is progressing. The initial board of directors is in place. The shareholders will be the NHCPG, the Adams Ave. rec group, and Normal heights for Smart Growth. Once 501(c)(3) is in place – will start grant hunting and fund raising in earnest to get the water permit and install the water lines.

Advisory Committees

Historic Property Review – Dan

There are no properties in Normal Heights in city’s 45 year review list

Utility Undergrounding & Street Lighting MAD – Frances

Construction will not begin until late 2026. They are trying to get estimate from city for 2 acorn light scenarios – one with lots of acorns and another with fewer acorns. Would like to host a meeting for folks in the undergrounding zone – city does not want to so maybe the planning group could include it as part of a regular meeting in early 2026.