Who We Are — What We Do

We are a group of concerned citizens who have come together to help determine the quality of growth in our community. The City is planning for many new mid-rise buildings (up to 7 stories), with some high-rises near Trolley Stations, projecting that over 7,000 additional homes, condos and apartments will be built in Northwest Chula Vista over the next twenty years! This will dramatically change the look and feel of our community. Acting together we hope to attract positive measured growth to our neighborhoods. Appropriate development will enhance our quality of life, and ill-conceived development could bring chaos & congestion and distract from our unique community character. With our many voices and ideas we seek to participate in decisions that will affect our community. Our goal is to improve quality of life for everyone while preserving our rich heritage.

The Northwest Civic Association is a community group that's inclusive, transparent and stresses the importance of public participation in planning our City's future. Our first meeting took place in January of 2006. We conducted a community-wide survey, the results of which underscored the need for a localized association to give voice to citizens concerns about the future of our City's historic core. Since then we have held monthly meetings on a variety of educational topics. Some meetings focus on familiarizing residents with helpful City resources that are available to everyone. At other meetings we tackle important long-range issues- like the Urban Core Specific Plan the Housing Element Update to the General Plan and the Bayfront Master Plan Environmental Impact Report. These are zoning and policy documents that will have an enormous impact on the way our City develops.

Our Monthly Meetings

Here is a list of our monthly meeting topics to date. We encourage you to inform us of any suggestions you may have for future meeting topics.

Why form a grassroots community organization? Louise Torio, Historic San Diego Marketing & Consulting
Graffiti Removal and Abatement Program, Ted Larson, City of Chula Vista
Safe Streets & Neighborhoods, Sergeant Cline and Richard Preuss, Community Relations Specialists, Chula Vista Police Department
City Code Enforcement Program, Brad Remp and Doug Leeper, Chula Vista Planning and Building
Urban Core Specific Plan Workshop, Mary Ladiana, Project Manager UCSP; Co-sponsored with Crossroads II
Eminent Domain Educational Forum, Panelists: Congressman Bob Filner; Chris Lewis, CVRC Member; Planning Commissioner Gary Nordstrom; Steve Haskins, Attorney
Working to Enhance Third Avenue, Stan Jasek, Board of Directors, Third Avenue Village Association
Forum on Housing in Chula Vista and the Draft Housing Element, Leilani Hines, Chula Vista Housing Department
History of Chula Vista, Peter Watry, Chula Vista Heritage Museum
Making your Voice Heard at City Hall, Panelists: Council Member Steve Castaneda, Environmentalist Laura Hunter, Retired Planning Commissioner Russ Hall.
Chula Vista Election Forum - Mayoral and Council Candidate debates
"Granny Flats" Accessory Dwelling Units - Presentation by John Schmitz, Planning Department, City of Chula Vista.
Chula Vista Bayfront Development - Discussion of Master Plan Draft Environmental Impact Report
First Anniversary Celebration, awards, open mike
Historic Preservation in Chula Vista, Lynette Tessitore Lopez, City of Chula Vista
Arts & Culture in Chula Vista
Panel Discussion on the Cummings Growth Control Initiative and the Urban Core Specific Plan
Is Chula Vista Turning Green - Will we play a role in protecting the environment?
Planning Our Future - Putting the pieces of the puzzle together. Presentation on City Planning by John Schmitz, City of Chula Vista
Town Hall Meeting - Open Mike Night
Reports on Water conservation; Mobile Home Park Closure Ordinance; and comments by Chula Vista City Councilman Rudy Ramirez
Town Hall Meeting – various topics including: New Mixed-use projects planned for downtown; What is the South Bay Community Benefit Foundation? Chula Vista Redevelopment Corporation; updates on parking study & new business openings
Forum on the San Diego Chargers with Mark Fabiani
Holiday party & fundraiser for South Bay Community Services at Mangia Italiano
City Budget Cuts & Their Impact – What can we do?
Town Hall Meeting – Updates and Reports on a variety of topics of concern to NW Chula Vista residents, Presentation on Junior Theatre by Will Neblett, Director
Revitalization of Western Chula Vista – Presentation by Jim Sandoval, Director of Building & Planning, Status Report on Library Services, Library Director Leah Browder
Forum on Chula Vista’s Proposition E

Forming Partnerships & Building Bridges

Many NWCA members have formed "task force" committees focusing on issues specific to Northwest Chula Vista such as the Urban Core Specific Plan, affordable housing, redevelopment projects, and public participation in the Redevelopment Corporation's design review. We gather information about proposed plans and policies, read draft documents, discuss them and form positions that reflect the overall concerns of our membership. When possible we form coalitions with other community groups and we engage in dialogue with future urban core developers. We attend (lots of) meetings to listen and to articulate our ideas and positions. We foster dialogue wherever possible with elected officials, staff and urban-core developers. Our intent has been to swiftly become effective partners in shaping our own future.

How You Can Participate

There are many ways to participate in Northwest Civic Association. Come to meetings, bring a friend or neighbor, and spread the word about changes that are coming to Chula Vista. Consider becoming a member (dues are only $10 per year or $5 for seniors) joining a committee, or volunteering for events like Cinco de Mayo or the Lemon Festival, helping in our NWCA information/outreach booth. If you have special talents you would like to share - such as Spanish language translation or computer skills - let us know. If you feel you have no specialty to offer, participate by attending monthly meetings and learn how invaluable your ideas and love for our City can be. Also, donations are always welcome and will help pay for mailings, supplies and announcements. Our Organizing Committee is working on By-Laws and Articles of Incorporation necessary to becoming a 501-C3 public-benefit, non-profit corporation, a direction our membership has voted to take. There are many opportunities for YOU to help find solutions to make Northwest Chula Vista a better place to enjoy life.

NORTHWEST CIVIC ASSOCIATION
MISSION STATEMENT

"We will empower the diverse residents of Northwest Chula Vista
to enhance, protect and preserve the unique character, quality and heritage
of Northwest Chula Vista through education and group action."

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