Your Serra Mesa Community Council – Making A Difference

Brief History and List of Accomplishments

  • Serra Mesa Community Council (SMCC) formed in 1988
  • SMCC Presidents: Randy Dahlin, Bert Woolley (> 7 years), Jerry Ghigliotti, Bruce MacLachlan, Peggy Lacy (5 years), Les Williamson, Carl Demas
  • SMCC’s Land Use Committee represented the community interests and became the basis for forming the Serra Mesa Planning Group in 1992
  • Sponsor or sponsored:
    • Observer, bi-monthly newsletter, since November 1, 1988 (never missed an issue)
    • Community Fair (2000-2007; 2009-2010)
    • Annual and semi-annual clean-ups (curbsides and community-wide) from 1989-2002
    • Occasional clean-ups (2002-Present)
    • Graffiti Removal
    • Concerts in the park
    • Project 2000 – mailed a free community resource guide to all Serra Mesa residences
    • Community Garage Sale (July 2005)
    • Tree plantings: Coryell Pass, Taft-Ruffin Canyon and other areas in conjunction with People for Trees
    • Workshops on Serra Mesa-Kearny Mesa Library design
    • Community-wide Logo Contest (March 2005)
    • Educational, political and issue-oriented forums
    • Recognition of community volunteers and residences worthy of recognition
    • Promoted community activities
    • Promotion of Serra Mesa businesses
    • Following Henry’s departure worked with new owner of Rancho Serra Mesa Shopping Center to make major improvements; Savon/CVS housed in new building
    • Worked with military providing input for new housing, including street layout along Afton
  • Co-sponsor of Community Connection (1996-2001) – resource center and meeting room
  • Provided financial support to Serra Mesa Planning Group, Friends of Ruffin Canyon, Friends of Serra Mesa Library
  • Worked jointly with the Serra Mesa Planning Group on the following projects: securing over $1 million for the Serra Mesa-Kearny Mesa Library from Stonecrest Development, Mission Village Shopping Center Project (obtained additional retail space and free community meeting room), defeating community plan amendment for road connection from Mission Valley to Phyllis Place in 2005
  • Worked jointly with the Serra Mesa Planning Group and Friends of Ruffin Canyon in obtaining dedicated status for Serra Mesa’s Open Space which includes 84 acres in Ruffin Canyon (would require a two-thirds vote of people of San Diego to change it)
  • Worked on community issues: facilitated meetings with U.S. Post Office that established the Serra Mesa office as #1 priority for replacement, due to funding crisis improvements were made instead; resolving stadium noise; Vulcan mitigation; facilitated meeting which resulted in mitigation measures of the INS Center on Mission Village Drive; instrumental in encouraging relocation of Methadone Clinic from medical office complex on Greyling Drive to a more appropriate site
  • Liaison with elected officials, provided input on community issues, sponsored community leaders roundtable resulting in action steps by elected officials on community issues
  • Spearheaded the fundraising campaign in 2009 for the environmental lawsuit filed against the City and the developer for the Palladium At Aero project that did not address impacts on Serra Mesa. Lawsuit settled out of court in December 2009 with impacts being addressed and expenses reimbursed.

Received Special Commendation from City of San Diego in 2000