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single-family residences. Opponents to the project cited concerns over whether it fit within the community character, the visual impacts it would have to the area, whether the recreational facilities in the Cielo community could adequately host more users and fire protection. The concerns led supervisors to ask Rancho Cielo Estates Ltd to address the concerns. The project has undergone what Mark Rosen, president of Rancho Cielo Estates Ltd, called “significant changes.” The changes include a 43 percent reduction in the amount of residences built, a reduction in the structures’ heights from three stories to two, eliminating the condominium aspect all together, and the project will have to comply with Rancho Cielo Design guidelines. “These won’t be the largest homes in Cielo,” Rosen said, “But they also won’t be the smallest.” The Rancho Santa Fe Fire Department also approved a Fire Protection Plan for the project, including it being a shelter-inplace community with access roads on Mt. Israel Road, Harmony Grove Road and Camino De Arriba. No other roads will have to be built in the area. Rosen said that the 24 lots proposed simply are the lowest economically feasible density on the property. Ali Shapouri is a principal planner with Shapouri & Associates. His company was retained by a group of Cielo homeowners that had concerns over the land use policy of the Rancho Cielo Specific Plan. He argued at the meeting that the project would
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tem, McCoy and the coaching staff translate a missed tackle or blown assignment seen on film into a coachable situation on the field. “As coaches, I always tell the players ‘Tell us what you don’t understand.’ There’s no excuses game day. You’ve got a job to do; you’re supposed to do it the right way and I don’t want to hear an excuse of, ‘well, I didn’t know.’ No, that’s our job as coaches — to coach them,” he said. Game day film is a great way to show the players what finishing the plays mean, McCoy added. After reviewing his firs preseason game, first round draft pick and right tackle D.J. Fluker said he could do “a lot better.” Getting better as far as getting his hands on the right places, getting over double team, being able to move the pile, and hustle a whole lot more, he said. “I’m watching everything,” Fluker said. “I’m watching anybody, because I want to be able to learn what they’re doing — good,
AUG. 23, 2013
RANCHO SANTA FE NEWS be more consistent with the specific plan if 12 units were built and not 24. He added that with the housing marking back, and the price of Cielo lots increasing significantly, he thought the project’s developers might see a better return on a 12-lot subdivision that would be less graded, more compatible and fully supported by the neighborhood. Supervisor Bill Horn,
Despite those who are opposed to this, this is acceptable to me.” Bill Horn San Diego County Board of Supervisors
whose district includes the community, said he rarely sends back a project for redesign. But he commended Rancho Cielo Estates Ltd for their compromises over the project. “Despite those who are opposed to this,” Horn said, “this is acceptable to me. I think it meets community character; it does not have the odious appearance of a huge ‘80s tract.” With the lots now entitled the next step will be to prepare construction plans and receive a grading permit before any work can begin.There is no timetable for when that will be, according to Rosen. The land owned by Rancho Cielo Estates Ltd, was acquired in 1998. A price range for the yet to be built homes hasn’t been set yet, and construction will be based on market demand.
bad — if their hand placement is good, I want to know how to get my hand placement right,” he said. Even for veteran quarterback Philip Rivers, he still takes “tons” away from watching game day film, he said. And the learning curve improves that much more quickly, too. “You tend to get used to going against your own guys,” Rivers said. “There’s only so many different pass moves that the guy you’re going against on your own team in training camp can do; or so many different coverages they can play “So it’s nice to get out there and not be able to know the coverage; not know exactly what the guys are doing and have some different match ups,” he said. The preseason games not only help the young guys and the guys fighting like crazy for a roster spot, but all of the team as a unit getting in sync, getting going and building as they prepare for the home opener, Rivers added. The Chargers face the Arizona Cardinals Saturday in Arizona.
From left, back row, Carlsbad State Beach local surfers Isaac Penrod, O.B. Juncal, Phil Antonopoulos, Terry Ennis, Ulises Thomas and Slater Thomas with Boys & Girls Club of Carlsbad’s Brad Holland and a few new club friends. Courtesy photo
Carlsbad surfers share with Boys & Girls Club CARLSBAD — Making waves in Carlsbad, local surfers gave the Boys & Girls Clubs of Carlsbad $2,000, profits from the State Beach Classic, an annual surf contest at Tamarack Beach. The June event is put on by the State Beach Locals Surf Club, and attracts surfers and non-surfers alike to watch competitors, meet friends, enjoy music and participate in raffles to win surfboards, wetsuits, and clothing. Every year, the State Beach Surf Club selects a local organization to support, this year
choosing the Boys & Girls Club of Carlsbad. “The Club is nearly 100 percent funded by local donors,” said Chief Executive Officer Brad Holland.“We are so pleased to have been selected by the State Beach Locals as the beneficiary of this community event.” The contest was created not only to give back to Carlsbad, but as a tribute to local professional surfer Banning Capps, who died in 2000. Like many Carlsbad surfers, Capps grew up in a town filled with surf talent,
ranging from pros like Paul and David Barr, Sean Dominguez, Mark Sharpe and Taylor Knox, to a younger generation like Chris and Brett Strother, Jake Blackburn and Donovan Stapleton. “Reuniting local surfers from Carlsbad is a major part of this event, but it’s geared toward everyone,” Event Coordinator Ulises Thomas said. “It doesn’t matter of it’s your first surf contest or you’re the average Joe from Wisconsin, you’re going to have fun and experience the
California lifestyle.” Nine divisions allow all ages, genders, and skill levels to compete. This year’s State Beach Cup was awarded to 22year-old Carlsbad local Brent Riley. Thomas said he’s looking for more sponsors to adopt this next year’s contest themed Carlsbad Unite. “One of our goals is to attract more people to our community, helping the local economy grow and highlight everything that is great about Carlsbad,” Thomas said.
San Diego Sockers host open tryouts for team this weekend REGION — The San Diego Sockers will hold their fifth annual Open Tryout Camp Aug. 24 at Parkway Indoor Soccer in El Cajon. Tryouts will be conducted by head coach Phil Salvagio and the Sockers’ coaching staff, beginning at 1 p.m. and continuing until 4 p.m. “This is an important part of our preparation for the upcoming season and
it’s for real,” said Sockers general manager John Kentera. “We are looking for a crop of talented young players who know the game of indoor soccer, and goalies who we can train and develop,” he added. The cost of tryouts is $50 via advance signup, call (866) 799-GOAL for signups, or $60 cash walkup at the tryout camp. Prospective players need to
be age 18 or above. Parkway Indoor Soccer is located at 1055 Ballantyne in El Cajon. Players will be auditioning both for the Sockers’ top team and for the Sockers Reserve, the developmental squad for the four-time defending Professional Arena Soccer League champions. Past tryout camps have yielded players such as defender Mike Mercuriali,
midfielder Raymundo Reza and defender Matt Couch, all of who saw action for the Sockers’ top squad last season. The Sockers are already in training for a Sept. 1 outdoor exhibition match against Stars of Mexico. The 14-time champions will begin their indoor season in November, with the home opener tentatively scheduled for Nov. 9.
HARASSMENT
trial in which she sued Garcia and the city a year and a half after the incident occurred. Mullen labeled it “litigation distress.” Mullen said during the settlement trial parts of Hurst’s testimony seemed staged because she was not emotional when she was initially interviewed, but “faked tears” during the settlement trial. Hirst herself testified at the settlement trial that she did not cry when she discussed the sexual harassment four years ago. Ritter has a different opinion of what transpired. He said the city is responsible for damages because it employed Garcia, who had a pattern of sexual harassment conduct. The city said Garcia had no former charges of sexual harassment. Ritter added that the judge negated the jury’s ruling and determined that Hirst
would receive nothing. “The evidence is overwhelming he harassed this woman,” Ritter said. “They’re unwilling to provide her any compensation for what she had to go through.” “They fired the individual and acted like nothing happened.” Ritter said Hirst is a very credible witness. The city called on her to testify at the arbitration hearing. “She participated in the investigation and was fully cooperative,” Ritter said. Ritter added that no part of her testimony was staged and there is no question the officer’s comments caused her emotional distress. “It disrupted her life, she had difficulty sleeping, she was scared to work with the police officer,” Ritter said. “She moved out of her house to live with her mother.” “Her children were aware she suffered this distress. They said she was angry
sometimes and inconsolable other times.” Ritter said the impact of the sexual harassment should not be discounted because Hirst suffered additional distress during the hearing and trial. “In every case the initial incident causes a cascade of events that are traumatic and distressful.” Ritter said the fact that Hirst did not report the harassment was due to her concern about keeping her job. “She only had the job a month or two and needed it too badly,” Ritter said. “Reporting harassing conduct was something she wasn’t looking forward to doing. She was concerned about any retaliation.” Ritter said he is not certain whether or not Hirst will go forward with an appeal to the judge’s decision. “We’re considering our options at this stage and have not reached a conclusion yet.”
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Garcia was dismissed from the case and the city was responsible for all damages. Mullen said the jury’s $1.5 million verdict against the city is unwarranted because the city of Oceanside was not Hirst’s employer, therefore Hirst cannot sue the city under the Fair Employment and Housing Act. Her employer, American Forensic Nurses, is a private company that was contracted through the county of San Diego to provide blood-drawing services to the Oceanside Police Department. “She doesn’t have a standing under the law used to sue us,” Mullen said. “The evidence did not support the verdict granted.” Mullen said Hirst’s stress came about when she testified at the arbitration hearing against Garcia and during the