Lemon Grove City Council

Council fields questions and concerns regarding County’s project planned on Caltrans property

Story and photos by Karen Pearlman 

March 6, 2025 (Lemon Grove)  – The controversy and concerns surrounding a planned interim housing project at Troy Street and Sweetwater Road continues to drive a wedge between residents and members of the Lemon Grove City Council -- and looks to be headed for discussion in a future closed session. 

San Diego County-spearheaded the temporary housing project, an $11.1 million plan to build up to 70 tiny homes for people experiencing homelessness on Caltrans-owned property in Lemon Grove. The project was the subject of a special  Lemon Grove City Council meeting held March 4 at the Roberto Alvarez Auditorium. 

The cabins are expected to start construction this year and be finished sometime in 2026. 

The meeting included a presentation by four county staff members and brought out nearly 200 residents plus other interested individuals packing the auditorium. Some said they have been asking for the City Council to listen to their concerns and act on their behalf since last July. 

First-term Lemon Grove Mayor Alysson Snow and veteran City Councilmember Jennifer Mendoza were candid about the need for housing in the city.  

Mayor Snow (photo, right, with Councilmember Mendoza) said, “I understand that there is a population of people here in Lemon Grove who don’t want these cabins. There’s also a population of people who absolutely, desperately need these cabins... a population who really need help, and this is a big help to that.” 

Mendoza said she has long been part of the Interfaith Shelter Network that advocates for those individuals who are homeless, and said there is a dire need for Lemon Grove to step up for those living on the street or in their vehicles. 

Newly elected Lemon Grove councilmembers Jessyka Heredia and Steve Faiai as well as newly appointed councilmember Yadira Altamirano -- who previously served on the council in 2019-20 -- peppered the county staff with questions and concerns about who would be living in the homes, how they would be chosen and why their presence could impede the safety of residents. 

All three said they understand the need to house those who are living on the street, but expressed interest in making unhoused Lemon Grove residents the top priority when considering who should live in the cabins—not homeless people from other areas.

Photo, left:  tiny homes in El Cajon, courtesy of Meridian Baptist Church in El Cajon

A majority of the approximately three dozen speakers shared concerns, including the close proximity of the planned cabins to a school, potentially reduced property values, a liquor store across the street and the exorbitant cost, which will also include annual charges of $3 million for ongoing operations needs. 

A contingent of those opposed to the plan to house a mixture of unsheltered veterans, senior citizens, transitional aged youths and adults held little back at the nearly four-hour meeting. 

Former Lemon Grove City Council member Liana LeBaron called out Snow, who defeated LeBaron in the race for mayor last year, and called the project “a money grab.” 

“County officials’ intentions are to put people who are suffering from drug and alcohol addiction and severe mental health issues right next to a preschool,” LeBaron said. 

LeBaron encouraged the Council to meet in closed session to take legal action against the county about the cabins “and plan a strong legal fight against the project,” and told them to “stand up for us.” 

Larry Bonamo, who said he is a longtime resident of the city and who owns a Spring Valley business directly across the street from the site, said while “we all want to help the homeless,” those individuals experiencing homelessness who have mental illness and drug problems “don’t want to live by rules and regulations” and should not be in the area. 

He said Spring Valley, which “turned down the project”, will be impacted the most. 

Initially, the project was supposed to bring 150 sleeping cabins to Spring Valley. Objections from Spring Valley residents to the San Diego County Board of Supervisors about the location of the cabins near residences and protected sites led to the county’s decision to move the project to Lemon Grove, but with less than half the number of cabins originally planned.

Last July, Supervisors voted 4-0 to move forward on the project, with then-chair Nora Vargas absent, a vote that came two days before a previously planned community forum in Lemon Grove about the project. 

Bonamo said the project “doesn’t do anything for the homeless in Spring Valley or Lemon Grove.” 

“We don’t need another 70 to 140 people,” he added. “We already have enough problems here at this location. We the business people and the citizens have to deal with shopping carts, trash, fights, property they’re using as a toilet, bothering our customers, breaking into homes, breaking into cars.” 

While county staff told those at the meeting that coordinated referrals and intakes into the program would be led by the county’s Office of Homeless Solutions and would exclude those with certain criminal backgrounds such as registered sex offenders, arsonists or active felony warrants, many in attendance said they didn’t believe that. 

Amy Reichert, who lost a 2023 bid for county supervisor in District 4 (which encompasses Lemon Grove) to Monica Montgomery Steppe, said that residents of the city had been lied to when Snow told residents that the project would house working families and seniors.  

“Cabins only accommodate two people,” Reichert said. “These... are not habitable for a family of four.” 

Four people who have been homeless or currently are experiencing homelessness spoke in favor of the cabins, including Rachel Hayes (photo, left), who said she has been “homeless for over 10 years, including in Lemon Grove and probably in every city in San Diego... and in almost every shelter in San Diego.” 

Hayes said she found housing through Alpha Project about 1½ years ago in permanent, supportive housing. 

She credited the nonprofit’s wraparound services as being crucial to her ability to feel safe, then shared the importance of being able to have a home with a door that shuts. 

"Not everybody out there are drug addicts or mentally ill,” Hayes said. “I support these cabins and you (elected officials) are brave to go ahead and do this. If I were on the streets, that’s where I would want to be, in one of your cabins. Because you have a door that you can close and with that door comes peace, serenity and dignity.” 

A few city councilmembers and former elected officials from other jurisdictions also attended, with two speaking out about the need for compassionate care for those who are unhoused.  

El Cajon City Councilman Steve Goble (photo, right) shared that he is proud of the success of his city’s tiny homes project, on the grounds of Meridian Baptist Church on Third Street since 2022. 

“Forty-two women have gone through those cabins, and 78 percent have gone on to permanent housing,” said Goble, who helped hammer nails to build those cabins. 

Snow acknowledged that Lemon Grove is without shelter and without resources, and that the City needs to step up. 

“We send our people who are unhoused out to (other) communities to get services,” she said. 

Since 2022, the County has been exploring emergency housing options as part of the Compassionate Emergency Solutions and Pathways to Housing Implementation Plan.  

The plan outlines community desire for non-congregate shelters such as sleeping cabins, safe parking and RV parking options. 

The Troy Street site can host up to 70 sleeping cabins, restrooms, laundry, and onsite services, county staff said at the meeting.  

Onsite services would include case management, housing navigation to permanent housing options, access to behavioral health services for those who have the needs, access to public benefits, employment or support with disability benefits, credit repair and other supportive services. 

View video of this incident, via Lemon Grove Media on Facebook

By Miriam Raftery

February 19, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – During last night’s Lemon Grove City Council meeting, former Councilmember Liana LeBaron urged members to agendize a discussion on 70 tiny homes for the homeless slated to be built on Troy Street. County Supervisors approved building the project in Lemon Grove before holding any public discussion, angering many residents.

For months, members of the public have clamored for Lemon Grove’s City Council to put the tiny homes on the agenda for discussion and a vote.  Last night, during public comments, LeBaron stated, “Our community wants to be heard. They want you to take action on their behalf.”

City Manager Lydia Romero then announced that she was finally able to get a commitment from county staffers to come to a March 4 meeting and give a presentation, including staff involved in both design and operations of the tiny homes project.  The meeting will be held at Alvarez Auditorium to accommodate a crowd.

Mayor Alysson Snow told the audience, ”We wanted it done much sooner,” adding that it took time to find a large enough space.

LeBaron then shouted from the audience, “Most important, we want to know what our city’s position is on it.” 

The mayor warned LeBaron not to interrupt the meeting or she would have to leave the meeting.

“I’m not leaving the meeting,” Le Baron said.

A man in the audience also disrupted the meeting and both were told to leave.

Sheriff’s escorted LeBaron out of the room as she objected, ”Take your hands off of me.”

She was later arrested briefly and cited for disrupting the meeting, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. The misdemeanor offense is punishable by a fine of up to $400,  or up to 90 days in jail, or both.

LeBaron was arrested in 2022 when her husband accused her of domestic violence, and again in 2024 when he accused her of violating a restraining order.

After Tuesday’s meeting, Mayor Snow told the Union-Tribune that it was not her intent to have LeBaron arrested, however, but merely to assure that she left the room.

Update: An earlier version of this article contained information added by our editor stating that the vote violated California's Brown Act. The City has disputed this and indicated that a public vote was held.  Our earlier report was based on a text from a Councilmember indicating that the vote was "anonymous" after ECM's editor asked whether the vote was unanimous. An anonymous vote during a public meeting would be illegal. Please see correction note below this article for  full details.

By Jessica Brodkin Webb

Miriam Raftery contributed to this report.

February 5, 2025 (Lemon Grove) –Lemon Grove’s City Council last night appointed Yadira Altamirano to fill the seat left vacant after Allyson Snow was elected as Mayor in 2024. She was previously appointed to finish City Council Member Matt Mendoza’s term from late 2019 through December 2020.

To members on the dais, Altamirano recalled her arrival in Lemon Grove as a young child who did not speak English but felt safe walking to and from school, playing in neighborhood parks and navigating city streets.

Since then, the businesswoman said, she grew to appreciate where she was raised and chose to come back and raise her own children in the small city. 

“My desire is to make an impact and make Lemon Grove as I remember it when I was little,” Altamirano said.

Answering questions posed by Snow and city council members, Altamirano said her top focus points would be improved safety, infrastructure projects and city repairs.

“Our youth are our future,” Altamirano said, and emphasized her desire to clean up the city is rooted in wanting to restore the Lemon Grove she remembers from her own youth. Her application indicated her goals include reopening the city’s rec center.

She also said she wants to see time dedicated to community service projects, and suggested residential buildings could be cleaned up to illustrate a sense of pride in Lemon Grove.

When  Council members asked about her experience, she suggested she might be a wiser choice than other candidates, as this will be her second go-round on the dais.

Her first time on the Council coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, during which many operations including City Council meetings were handled remotely. She did not address how that experience would inform her ability to affect change under current, post-pandemic practices.

When pressed for suggestions on what she might do to enhance the city, she cited La Mesa’s car show and farmers market as examples of events which bring the community together, but reiterated the city’s need to clean up its appearance so events are attractive to residents. On her application, she mentioned bringing back the Old Times Parade as a goal.

Altamirano landed this second appointment to City Council over candidates Kenneth Davies, Robert Holaday, Cody Littleton, Oyuki Littleton, Minola Manson, Robert Rael, Seth Smith and James Stout. Jay Bass withdrew his application before last night’s  Council meeting, which included interviews with all applicants.

After the interviews, Councilmembers were asked to place marks next to up to three candidates whom they would be willing to have serve on the Council.  Altimirano received three votes, the most of any applicant.  A subsequent vote was held publicly, with a motion and second,  according to the Mayor, with Altimirano receiving a unanimous vote of all four Councilmembers.

The next Lemon Grove City Council meeting will be held Tuesday, Feb. 18 at Lemon Grove Community Center.

Correction: An earlier version of the article indicated that the vote was held anonymously, which would violate California’s Brown Act prohibiting secret votes on any agendized item in a public meeting. The Brown Act information was added to our reporter's  original article  draft, due to a text from a Councilmember to our editor stating that the vote was “anonymous” and that each councilmember could vote for “up to three.”  This text was in response to our editor's text asking who voted for or against the appointment, which was not in our reporter’s draft. The  Councilmember’s text also included a photo of the vote tally for each applicant, without any Councilmembers identified on the vote tally.  That tally showed three votes for Yadira Altamira.

Mayor Snow and a city legal representative have both since advised that a second  vote was held in public and seconded (after the initial tally), and that this vote was public and unanimous, with all four Councilmembers supporting Altamirano's appointment.

Lemon Grove does not videotape  its Council meetings, unlike all other East County cities, nor are email addresses for staff listed on the city’s webpage, making it difficult to verify information or obtain answers to question in a timely manner after a meeting. In this case, ECM sought information from the only city representative we had contact for after hours, since our editor wanted to post the news about Altamirano's appointment before leaving town for three days. ECM regrets the error.

By Miriam Raftery

January 30, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – Eleven people have applied to fill a vacancy on the Lemon Grove City Council created when former Councilmember Alysson Snow won the mayoral election.  The City Council will interview the applicants during the Feb.4 Council meeting at 6 p.m. at the Lemon Grove Community Center. View the full agenda including candidate applications: https://events.lemongrove.ca.gov/council.

The Council previously approved filling the vacancy via appointment, to avoid a costly election. The appointee chosen will serve the remainder of the term, which expires in December 2026.

Applications included detailed questions about candidates’ backgrounds and goals, though some did not identify policy objectives.

The applicants, in order of their interview times, are as follows, along with highlights from their applications:

Cody Littleton: Ani internet recruiter, he has served as Vice President of Urban League Young Professionals, as a corporate liaison, and volunteered with GEICO Cares/United Way. He says his goal if appointed would be first to learn about key issues, foster meaningful community engagement, and work to strengthen relationships with external organizations and boards. He has training as a facilitator, including conflict resolution skills.

James G. Stout:  His community involvement has been serving on the board of directors at Faith Chapel and Lifepoint Church, teaching Bible study, and serving as treasurer at Lifepoint Church. He has worked as a machinist and inspector. He cites endorsements from other pastor. His goals include being an “advocate for the people” and to help the city become “healthy and strong.”

Jay Bass: His community and governmental experience include serving as a trustee of the Lemon Grove School District, commissioner on the city’s planning commission, member of the Lemon Grove Community Advisory Committee and Revitalize Broadway Lemon Grove, as well as the Lemon Grove Historical Society, Lions Club, Latino Diversified Lions Club, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and soccer coach. A Navy veteran who is now retired, he has worked for the Port of San Diego and the San Diego International Airport. His goals include assuring funds are spent responsibly, supporting local businesses, creating a business-friendly environment to foster growth, assure worker retention and instill community pride.

Kenneth J. Davies: He did not provide a resume or list any community involvement.  A 25-year resident, he is concerned that streets need repair and about trash along roadsides.  He has a master’s degree in computer programming, and says, “I care about Lemon Grove and want to see it preserved.”

Meredith Rae Levin: A law professor, licensed attorney with USD legal clinics, she works to assist domestic violence victims. She has served as president of the Crime Victims Fund and cochair of the SDCBA family law section. She was a founder of the San Diego family Law Bar.  She wants to fix roads, bring in new business, learn from diverse views, and come up with “sensible, compassionate ways to address home businesses.:

Minola Clark Manson: Director of workforce development healthcare for the San Diego Workforce Partnership, she has a master’s in psychology and extensive experience including managinga$15 million budget, serving as training and development director for the County’s Health and Human Services agency, and other professional positions. She’s a Lemon Grove Planning Commissioner and involved in numerous local service organizations, including as President of Soroptomists, helping with Lemon Grove cleanup, food distribution and more. She wants to increase the city’s resource development through grants and new businesses, improve transparency and community involvement at Council meetings.

Oyuki Littleton: An office administrator, customer relations specialist and 7-year resident of Lemon Grove, she wants clarification on the county’s tiny homes project for the homeless on Troy Street and to find measures that can be taken to assure children and residents are safe. She also wants to repair and strengthen communication between residents and councilmembers to restore unity.

Robert Holaday: A Lemon Grove native and licensed realtor, he has served as Chairman of the Lemon Grove Planning Commission when the city was incorporated, as president of the Lemon Grove Chamber of Commerce, and on the citizens advisory committee for the 1980 Community Plan. He has been active in College Avenue Baptist Church, and helped form the Lemon Grove Little League. His goals include improving Lemon Grove’s image, being frugal with money, and seeking out new revenue sources.    

Robert M. Rael:  A systems engineer and webmaster with a degree in film and media, Rael has lived in Lemon Grove for 15 years and plans to start a business here. He was previously in Normal Heights, where he was involved in a a business association, newspaper, and cultural council.  He lists one goal,  “to represent my peers, as well as pass information along to my peers.”

Seth Smith: An architect and Chair of the Lemon Grove Planning Commission, he is also involved in the Busy Bees Garden Co-op, farmer’s market, Latino Diversifed Lions Club, and Revitalize Broadway efforts in Lemon Grove as well as youth sports, food distributions, and as youth leader at Grace Communion. He also donates his architectural services for Thrive Lemon Grove. He wants to set up efficient systems for the city to use revenue from the newly passed ballot measure to repair/improve city infrastructure such as streets, sidewalks and storm drains, implement policies to remove blight and diversity the types of businesses downtown, and promote policies to encourage access to housing through General Plan updates. He lists numerous endorsements, including the city’s firefighters.

Yadira Altamirano: A former Lemon Grove City Councilmember and small business owner, she has been on the board of softball and girls fast pitch organizations, as well as the Mt.. Vernon Educational Foundation and Lemon Grove toy drive. Her volunteer efforts have included youth mentorship, homeless ministry and food drives through Rock Church Homeless Ministry. She wants to reopen the rec center 5-7 days a week, encourage commercial landlords to rent vacant properties, get more businesses to invest in Lemon Grove, assure that new sales tax revenue is used for infrastructure and road repairs, have bathroom access on weekends, a pedestrian-friendly downtown that is aesthetically improved, and bring back the Old Times Parade.

By Jessica Brodkin Webb

January 27, 2025 (Lemon Grove) -- Lemon Grove Mayor Alysson Snow called the Jan. 21 City Council meeting “very light,” yet there was time enough for staunch resident pushback against a historically controversial tiny homes project which was not on the agenda. 

The project, funded and in development by the County of San Diego, is intended to house homeless residents in 70 tiny homes on Troy Street.

A previous iteration of the project, planned around State of California funding, was slated for over twice as many structures and originally destined for Spring Valley. However, state funding was rescinded following missed deadlines, and the project was downsized and relocated to Lemon Grove amidst Spring Valley resident pushback. 

Tuesday, Lemon Grove residents once again questioned why an open community discussion about the project has yet to appear on an agenda.

“I’ve been here over six months asking for this item to be put on the agenda,” resident Ken King said.

King is one of several residents who have consistently voiced concerns about the project during time for public comments at city council meetings.

“Jennifer said the tiny home project would be on the agenda this meeting or next meeting. Those are her words,” King said, referring to Councilmember Mendoza.

Lemon Grove City Manager Lydia Romero said she is working with the county to schedule a special study session which would be open to the public. 

“We are dependent on the County of San Diego because they’re the ones putting forth the project,” Romero said.

However, former Lemon Grove Chamber of Commerce president and resident Teresa Rosiak-Proffit addressed city council members with an emphatic comment, stating that residents “want each one of you to hear their concerns” at a regular city council meeting rather than a county presentation or other special meeting.

“We need a city council tiny homes presentation where the residents can speak with you directly. It is their right for you to hear them. You may not want to hear them, but you have to give them a chance to be heard. Normally, I don’t demand but I am demanding that this be put on the agenda as quickly as possible so you hear what residents have to say,” said Rosiak-Proffit.

Snow said she would look into adding a special city council meeting about the tiny homes project, to which Romero said that essentially constitutes a special study session.

As of publication, no special study session or additional meeting information had been announced. The next regular Lemon Grove city council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 4 at the Lemon Grove Community Center, located at 3146 School Lane.