El Cajon council approves Mollison Villas 11‑home subdivision

The El Cajon City Council unanimously approved resolutions clearing environmental review and authorizing a planned unit development and tentative subdivision map for Mollison Villas, an 11‑lot common‑interest subdivision at 1168–1174 North Mollison Avenue.

Spencer Hayes, the city’s associate planner in community development, told the council the proposal — submitted by Ronnie Saloom of New Vision Building and Design — would create 10 single‑family homes oriented to a private 20‑foot street and an 11th common lot for private street access. Hayes said the site is roughly three‑quarters of an acre, carries a medium‑density residential general‑plan designation, and is zoned RM‑2200; the project’s proposed density, about 13.3 dwelling units per acre, is within the 20‑unit‑per‑acre allowance under the general plan.

Hayes described site features including required front and interior setbacks, a pedestrian path along the private street, five supplemental parking spaces distributed through the development in addition to two‑car garages and driveway guest spaces, and grading adjustments to meet sewer and stormwater needs. He said exterior materials would include stucco, lap siding and stone and that the structures would be about 24 feet tall, under the 35‑foot limit for the zone. Hayes also told the council the project would require recordation of covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs) and formation of a homeowners association to maintain common facilities.

“[The] planning commission was in general support of the project design and unanimously recommended City Council approval,” Hayes said, and staff recommended the council receive testimony and adopt the next resolutions approving the CEQA determination, the planned‑unit development and the tentative subdivision map, all subject to conditions. He said staff determined the project is exempt from CEQA review under the cited CEQA guidelines section for infill development and that one public comment on parking had been received and judged adequate after review.

Councilmember Michelle pressed staff on neighborhood parking, saying, “Parking is a major, major issue in that neighborhood,” and noting nearby apartments that fill street parking at night. Hayes responded that project standards for developments of this size require a supplemental half parking space per unit (yielding five supplemental spaces for this plan) and that CC&Rs typically include language requiring garages remain available for vehicle parking rather than storage.

Rania Salom, the project designer representing New Vision Building and Design, said the team anticipates beginning construction “the first of next year, probably by January or February,” and estimated roughly eight months for construction to complete the project, with units intended as for‑sale product though they “could be sold separately or rented out” later.

After hearing staff and the applicant, the mayor moved to close the public hearing; the council voted unanimously to close it. A councilmember then moved to adopt the next resolutions approving the CEQA determination, the planned‑unit development (PUD 2020‑43) subject to conditions, and the tentative subdivision map (2020‑410) subject to conditions; the council again voted unanimously to carry the motion. The resolutions were approved by unanimous vote of those present.

Council welcomed a group of students attending as part of a government class during the meeting; one student, Ava, asked about voting options and the mayor explained the choices on the council’s voting display. The meeting was adjourned until Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, at 3:00 p.m.