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DATE: |
October 22, 2025 |
10 |
SUBJECT
Title
ESTABLISH THE LINCOLN ACRES COMMUNITY SPONSOR GROUP (DISTRICT: 1)
Body
OVERVIEW
County planning is more responsive to local needs if there is a high level of citizen participation in the planning process and all community voices are heard. There are currently 28 local advisory planning and sponsor groups representing the communities of the unincorporated area. These groups are formed to advise the County Director of Planning & Development Services, the Zoning Administrator, the Planning Commission, and the Board of Supervisors (Board) in the preparation, amendment, and implementation of community and subregional plans, as well as the review of discretionary regulatory projects. As such, these local advisory groups are governed by County Board Policy I-1, Planning and Sponsor Group Policies and Procedures.
Nestled as an unincorporated "County island" surrounded by the City of National City, Lincoln Acres is a small but distinct community in South San Diego County with a rich history and a unique character. For many years, Lincoln Acres residents have felt unrepresented and worked through the long-established Lincoln Acres Civic Association (Civic Association) to voice their need to have a Community Sponsor Group (CSG) formed to better and more formally represent their community on County business. The Civic Association has long gathered Lincoln Acres residents at the local Fire House, Library, and County Park spaces to create a space for community members to gather and discuss issues of local concern, and ultimately to determine their vision for their community.
CSG’s serve a key role in ensuring the Board and all our County leaders are advised by the communities we serve. Establishing a CSG for the Lincoln Acres community allows residents, businesses, and stakeholders in this community to directly shape local projects, policies, and priorities involving County projects and initiatives. While residents can always voice their opinions individually, a formally recognized CSG provides a structured, collective voice, more direct access to decision makers, a public forum for community discussions, and training to understand County processes and regulations. Today’s action requests the Board direct the Chief Administrative Officer to establish the Lincoln Acres Community Sponsor Group. Once established, my office will return to the Board with recommended appointments so the group may commence meetings.
RECOMMENDATION(S)
CHAIR PRO TEM PALOMA AGUIRRE
Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to:
1. Find that the proposed Board of Supervisors action is not subject to CEQA because it is an organizational or administrative activity of a local government that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment and is therefore not a “project” as defined in Public Resources Code section 21065 and CEQA Guidelines Sections 15378(b)(5) and 15060(c)(3).
2. Establish the Lincoln Acres Community Sponsor Group and determine that the authorized membership of the Lincoln Acres Community Sponsor Group shall be a total of 5 authorized members.
3. Initially seats 1, 3, and 5, shall hold terms expiring the first Monday after January 1, 2029, and seats 2 and 4 shall hold terms expiring the first Monday after January 1, 2027. Thereafter the term for all seats shall be four years.
4. Recognize the Lincoln Acres Sponsor Group Area as the existing Lincoln Acres unincorporated County island area depicted in the attached map (Attachment A).
5. Adopt the Resolution entitled: RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO TO ESTABLISH THE LINCOLN ACRES COMMUNITY SPONSOR GROUP (Attachment B)
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
The establishment of a local sponsor group promotes community inclusion and provides a well-needed voice for a specific community’s needs.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT STATEMENT
Establishing a Community Sponsor Group for the Lincoln Acres community allows residents, businesses, and stakeholders in this community to directly shape local projects, policies, and priorities which promote social sustainability. By creating a formal process to engage with residents on issues that impact their community, the County is creating a pathway for co-developing sustainability strategies that are informed by local expertise and knowledge on local ecosystems, cultural heritage, and environmental priorities.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds to establish the Lincoln Acres Community Sponsor Group are included in the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Operational Plan for Planning & Development Services (PDS) and include $10,000 of existing staff time, services, and supplies. The funding sources in the current fiscal year are existing General Purpose Revenue and discretionary project review fees. Ongoing costs for staff support of the Lincoln Acres Community Sponsor Group in future years will be identified and included in future Operational Plans for PDS based on available funding source(s). There will be no change in net General Fund cost and no additional staff years.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
N/A
Details
ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
N/A
BACKGROUND
Nestled as an unincorporated "County island" surrounded by the city of National City, Lincoln Acres is a small but distinct community in South San Diego County with a rich history and a unique character. Originally founded as a farming settlement during the Great Depression, the area has since evolved into a predominantly Mexican American community with a strong sense of cultural identity and a cherished small-town feel. Despite its compact size and location surrounded by a larger city, Lincoln Acres maintains its own identity, shaped by its historic roots, diverse population, and a strong community spirit that values its peaceful, residential character and the unique opportunity for a mix of urban and semi-rural living.
Since its inception, Lincoln Acres residents have demonstrated that organizing to provide their own services and governance is of great importance and goes back well over 70 years. The community has long gathered to discuss concerns and advocate for the community’s needs through a Civic Club going back to 1943 and forming the Lower Sweetwater Fire Protection District in 1944.
The principle of representation is a bedrock of this country’s civic process and democracy. Allowing distinct communities to be represented, particularly in unincorporated areas, is critical to ensuring we hear from the residents who will be directly impacted by our decisions. CSG’s serve a key role in ensuring the Board and all our County leaders are advised by the communities we serve. For these reasons, it is important to me that we hear from voices in the community that have been disenfranchised without a direct line of communication or official advisory role for so many important County decisions, such as public safety concerns or infrastructure needs and priorities. In short, establishing a CSG for the Lincoln Acres community allows residents, businesses, and stakeholders in this community to directly shape local projects, policies, and priorities involving County projects and initiatives. Residents will have the opportunity to apply to these positions, which will be advertised, with applications accepted and reviewed, and then a list of eligible applicants will be presented to the Board of Supervisors in order to select the folks who will serve.
Today's request directs the Chief Administrative Officer to establish the Lincoln Acres Community Sponsor Group. Once established, my office will submit recommended appointments for the group to commence the effort with our County staff to develop its community plan.
ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT
The proposed Board of Supervisors action is not subject to CEQA because it is an organizational or administrative activity of a local government that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment and is therefore not a “project” as defined in Public Resources Code section 21065 and CEQA Guidelines Sections 15378(b)(5) and 15060(c)(3).
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
Today’s action supports the Community Initiative in the County of San Diego’s 2025-2030 Strategic Plan, as the establishment of this Community Sponsor Group contributes to strengthening communities through civic engagement, partnerships, and improving quality of life, creating a space for promoting diverse opportunities for residents to exercise their right to be civically engaged and find solutions to current and future challenges.
Respectfully submitted,
PALOMA AGUIRRE
Supervisor, First District
ATTACHMENT(S)
Attachment A - Proposed Lincoln Acres Community Sponsor Group Boundary
Attachment B - RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO TO ESTABLISH THE LINCOLN ACRES COMMUNITY SPONSOR GROUP