Did you ever read something fro a governmental agency that you’re sure says something, but then again, it’s not quite clear what it says?
Property owners in La Costa Valley and beyond should have received a mailing from the SDUHSD entitled “Community Information Session” and District Facilities Action Plan Overview of Process.
Reading between the lines, as they talk about a “multi-step analysis of all District sites and facilities” this certainly involves the vacant property in La Costa Valley.
More information is promised on the SDUHSD.NET website.
If you’re interested, attend the meeting at Oak Crest Middle School’s Crest Hall on June 23rd at 6pm.
What’s going on with the vacant middle school property?
What’s the latest shakeup on the HOA Board now that another Board member has stepped down? Will another Friends of North County member be put on the board?
Will the Board vote to move over a million dollars to a different financial institution?
Attend the HOA Board meeting and find out for yourself, or even have some say in these matters.
There is no current lawsuit about the vacant land owned by the school district.
On some questions, there may be as many opinions as neighbors. Some neighbors may believe it’s worth risking legal action to prevail over the school district, developers, or whoever is at fault for not building a middle school as advertised. Others may be concerned that any legal action will have a negative effect on property values.
What is your opinion?
Check back for the sentiments of other La Costa Valley homeowners.
There have been a lot of questions raised about the group calling themselves Friends of North County. (FONC)
Here are some ways to learn a little more yourself.
Non-profit status
You can check to see when Friends of North County (FONC) is granted non-profit or 501(c)3 status, so are eligible to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions.
Go to the IRS website and check if have been granted that status yet. Just enter “Friends of North County” in the name.
You can also check on Charity Navigator, which shows how well foundations and non-profits spend their money.
Website
You can learn more about FONC directly from their website. If you type “friendsofnorthcounty.org” you get one of those blank, coming-soon, type of pages. But, there actually is more information deeper on the site, including their stated mission.
The La Costa Valley HOA is having a special HOA meeting on Tuesday May 6th at 7pm, at the Coastline Community Church on Calle Barcelona.
The topic of the meeting is the vacant property next to the church, and how much we will be involved in its future. Specifically, the meeting is regarding La Costa Valley Master Assoc.’s authority-limitations and capabilities regarding School District property.
Can La Costa Valley Homeowners have a say in the use of the property?
Will this be as citizens of the City of Carlsbad?
Will this be through the LCV Homeowner’s Association?
Will our voices be heard as parents of middle-age school children?
It’s very important that homeowners get involved now however they feel about the school district’s property.
Please tell your La Costa Valley friends and neighbors about the meeting, because we did not get much advance notice.
There’s the possibility that this special HOA Board meeting may not be valid for any voting purposes.
According to the HOA by-laws, we need to be told about upcoming meetings well in advance. Notice for HOA special meetings must be within 20 days after a board president calls a special a meeting or after the board receives a petition asking for one, and must be no sooner than 35 days and no later than 90 days after that decision or petition. See section 4.6 in the by-laws on the official La Costa Valley HOA website (you will need Adobe PDF).
The notice will be in the paper newsletter, but at best that will only arrive one or two days before the meeting, certainly not enough time for busy La Costa Valley HOA homeowners to change their schedules.
According to an anonymous special City representive who has dedicated extra time to this issue over the last year, “We have had our ears and eyes on this matter for some time, and have spent considerable staff time and large portion of our per diem expenses already.”
The City’s attorneys have ruled that the $53.4 million in fees which the High School District earmarked for the FONC/SOLD group will instead be transferred to City coffers.
The representative went on to explain, “The City is facing possible cutbacks from already-tight budgets. This windfall will almost get us caught up.”
The representative brought more to light about the use of the property, which will remain part of LCV HOA common areas. “We had an Arts committee out there recently and they determined that the location is perfect for the famous Carlsbad landmark that some people have derivisely referred to as ‘The Bars.’ Finally, we can once again stick this great work of art in the public eye.”
[Okay, the following was our little April Fool's day joke. Glad so many of you liked it and have a sense of humor, well most of you. Sorry if you're disappointed that Schwarzenegger won't be moving to La Costa Valley. We know this is a serious issue.]
In a surprising announcement, the High School District today reached settlement with homeowners who have been paying into Mello-Roos CFD 94-2. In addition, a parcel of land within the La Costa Valley (LCV) development which had been pegged for a middle school will be transferred to the LCV Homeowner’s Association.
“We simply made a math error,” said Peg Linch, School District Superintendent, in a prepared statement. She continued, “We had anticipated that middle-school enrollments would increase based on the many young children in La Costa Valley, along with irrational exuberance about continued population increase. Our consultants had assured us that life was so good in that area that families would get busy and have more children than average. Instead, those projections were optimistic.”
An advocacy group, sometimes going under the name FONC-Friends of North County and other times referred to as SOLD-Save Our Lawyers and Developers, claimed credit for the transaction.
A member of FONC/SOLD, who preferred to remain anonymous, disclosed “we were able to reach an agreeable formula which took into account the many hours we have spent on this single issue, in preparing and presenting meetings, creating graphics, keeping up with email, and other vital tasks.”
The total settlement of $55.9 million is made up of $7.6 million for accumulated Mello-Roos payments with interest, plus $48.3 million for the agreed-on value of the middle school property. The amount will be used to fund development of the land, provide rebates to LCV homeowners, and satisfy the financial claims of the FONC/SOLD group.
LCV Homeowners are expected to receive their rebates of approximately $1.3 million before the end of 2008, working out to $1,200 for each household. Another $1.3 million will be transferred to the LCV Homeowners’ Association for maintenance of the property and related reserves. The balance of the settlement, $53.4 million, will be transferred to the FONC/SOLD group for unspecified purposes.
An LCV homeowner who was interviewed shortly following the news release shared his sentiments. “Well, we never expected to get a nickel and everybody knew there would be no middle school, so at least it’s settled and behind us. Plus, now I’m getting $1,200 and won’t need to pay that $800 per year. So, it’s a win-win.”
Although plans for the vacant property have not been formally announced, unspecified sources have estimated that the settlement amount provided to the HOA might be enough to allow development of a mixed-use day and night moto-cross track, dog park, pet kennel, and compost-processing center.
In minutes from an October 19, 2006 SDHUSD board meeting, trustees reported visiting a La Costa Valley HOA meeting.
The SDUHSD minutes don’t include what was discussed at the HOA meeting.
Mrs. Hergesheimer reported attending:
° La Costa Valley HOA community meeting
Mrs. Dalessandro reported on:
° La Costa Valley HOA community meeting
Mr. Mark Hvasta stated that he had attended the recent La Costa Valley homeowners meeting. He requested more information about the Board’s direction on whether or not the school will be built and alternative uses for the La Costa Valley property. He had questions about the Davis Demographics and Planning study and the process for bidding the work. He also indicated a concern for children’s safety traveling to/from school if the middle school is not built.
Mr. Leonard Steinberg attended the recent La Costa Valley Homeowners community meeting to receive answers to his questions. He offered to meet with members of the district and work through the issues, get answers and move forward, without attorneys present.
