Project Ramona Is Moving Ahead; Ideas To Be Presented to the Board of Supervisors by Mid-2012

Plans for upgrades to Ramona's business district are due to be presented to the Ramona Community Planning Group in November.

Some local residents think it's the best news in a long time but they wonder if the county will agree to the changes. Others are concerned about community character issues.

PlaceMakers is working with the county and the Ramona Village Design Group to come up with ideas for the upgrades, under a $103,000  Caltrans grant. The work, called Project:Ramona, is focused on the  “Paseo” area on Main Street from Pala to 10th streets.

Howard Blackson, principal project manager for PlaceMakers, an urban planning and design group out of San Diego, wants more ideas from the Ramona Village Design Group before presenting the plans for Project:Ramona to the County Board of Supervisors.

Blackson and Joe Farace, zoning project manager with the county’s Department of Planning and Land Use, met Oct. 13 with the Village Design Group, plus a few members of Ramona Community Planning Group and interested community members. The men reported on the progress of generating ideas and suggestions for the Paseo.

Blackson showed examples of the types of commercial buildings that could be constructed in the business area, including two- or three-story buildings that would have commercial storefronts or offices on the ground level and residential apartments on the upper levels.

He also suggested more outdoor dining areas that would appeal to the equestrian community.

Architecture, lighting and landscaping are some of the issues that are being taken into consideration. There are also certain issues that would be covered by Caltrans since Main Street is a state highway. Requirements by Ramona Municipal Water District were also discussed, as well as mitigation issues such as vernal pools.

Steve Powell, a local developer and member of the Village Design Group, expressed his frustrations with building in Ramona.

“In the 14 years I’ve been here, the town has only gotten worse,” Powell said, adding that he moved to Ramona from La Jolla. “This has been ‘the’ most difficult town I’ve ever worked in. I’m frustrated with the process.”

He said some developers have left Ramona because of all the county building requirements. He considers the plans presented by Blackson and Farace as a step in the right direction.

“What you’re saying, and what Joe is saying, that’s the best news I’ve heard,” Powell said. “I just hope it comes to fruition.”

Rob Lewallen, chairman of the Village Design Group, said he has concerns “for the Ramona community character.”

The group will devote the next regularly scheduled meeting on Nov. 10 to go over Blackson’s presentation in more detail.

At this point, the schedule is that in November, the draft plan would be reviewed by the Village Design group and then the planning group. A county spokesman told Patch following the meeting that the plans would require public and environmental review and a Planning Commission hearing before they could go to the Board. At this time, Board review is expected in mid-2012.

In addition to Lewallen and Powell, members of the Village Design Group include Bob Stoody, Jim Robinson, Paul Stykle, Dawn Perfect, Greg Roberson, Carol Fowler, Ron Rodolph and Torry Brean.

Project:Ramona began several years ago, then was delayed due to lack of funding. It started up again in August after the Caltrans grant was awarded. Blackson hope to eventually present his plans to the Board of Supervisors.

More information can be found online at www.projectramona.com.