Traffic at Dye and Highland Valley Roads on Agenda Wednesday Night at a Public Workshop; Also NCTD Rate Changes in the Works

The intersection at Dye and Highland Valley roads and Highway 67 was the main topic of discussion at Wednesday night’s community workshop sponsored by Ramona Community Planning Group.

Planning Group member Carl Hickman was to lead the discussion, along with representatives from the County. Proposals for ways to alleviate traffic congestion in that area were to be presented.

In other news from a recent planning group meeting, North County Transit District has set April 21 for a public hearing to present proposed changes along its bus routes. It will begin at 2 p.m. at the NCTD office, 810 Mission Ave., Oceanside. If there is enough interest, a public meeting will take place in Ramona at a future date. Also, if there is enough interest, NCTD will arrange transportation from Ramona to the April 21 public hearing in Oceanside.

At present, the NCTD proposal for Ramona is to increase the rates to $5 each way between Ramona to Escondido on Route 386. Currently there are two rides in the morning and two in the evening.

Planning Group secretary Kristi Mansolf said the Ramona routes will eventually be discontinued. NCTD is proposing “Dial-a-Ride” service in which riders will call in advance for “curb-to-curb service.”  For more information on the NCTD proposals, contact Tim McCormick, NCTD  Director of Planning, at (760) 966-6576. His email address is tmccormick@nctd.org.

Another workshop will look at flooding issues in Ramona. County Supervisor Dianne Jacob has been meeting with three members of the planning group and four property owners who are affected by floods during heavy rainstorms. Another meeting is planned with Jacob before a public meeting is scheduled.

In other business, the planning group heard about reported parking problems created by the Cedar Creek trailhead near the east end of Thornbush Street. Steve Venalia, a resident near the trailhead told the group there were between 75 and 100 vehicles parked on the street on a recent weekend in an area that is marked for 29 parking spaces. He said property owners are not able to park in front of their houses. There also has been a problem with littering, Venalia said. He requested the matter be placed on the agenda for the planning group’s May meeting.

A subdivision on Keyes Road was brought to the attention of the group. A plot of 10.38 acres is being subdivided into five lots and one road. The county is requiring improvements be made to widen one half of Keyes Road into four lanes with a shoulder and bike lane. Larry Walsh, of Walsh Engineering and Surveying, asked the planning group to consider deferring the county requirements. The group voted to waive the requirements.

Another request for a waiver came from Bernie Thompson, a resident on Haverford Road. He said the county is requiring a nine-foot pathway on the shoulder near his property because of a lot split. Thompson said it would require adding decomposed granite to an existing  trail.

John Degenfelder, representing Ramona Trails Association, encouraged the planning group to accept the county requirements to bring the Haverford Road pathway up to trails standards. The Trails & Transportation subcommittee chairman Dennis Sprong recommended Thompson’s request be denied. After three separate motions were made, the group approved the county requirements for upgrading the existing trail.

The Planning Group received an invitation to tour the Fund for Animals facility on Highland Valley Road. A presentation by the new management will be made at the June 2 meeting.

Ramona Community Planning Group meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month, beginning at 7 p.m., at Ramona Community Library, 1275 Main St.. Jim Piva is the chairman.