North Park Jack in the Box: Lawsuit Goes to Trial -- 06/05/17 at Hall of Justice

In a disappointing late day announcement on Thursday (June 1), the trial has been rescheduled by SD Superior Court for Sept. 25, 2017. Please check the Facebook page for details and updates.
— June 1, 2017 11:31 p.m.

North Park Jack in the Box rebuild permit has yet to pop up

@Cory Wixom, Newsflash! What you believe has no bearing on the truth. Read Dorian's article again and focus on the part about city laws including 'prohibitions against demolishing any exterior walls, increasing the footprint of the building, or undertaking any renovation that cost greater than 50 percent of the existing restaurant’s value.' Jack in the Box violated all three, there is undeniable proof of this, Repeatedly making nonsensical statements that nothing was changed, and the structure looks exactly the same as before does not automatically make them true. Read the lawsuit, it contains the evidence-- except for that pesky original permit, which the city won't provide. Why? Because a permit issued on the date claimed, allowing the scope of work that was performed doesn't exist. And that opens the door for our lawsuit, whether or not you agree with it, and whether or not you like the attorney handling it. And although it's evident you dislike Cory Briggs, but stop and think logically about your statements: " Cory Briggs driving the lawsuit...it's BS and he's gonna do his best to suck the city dry", "con man Briggs", "a scam artist that says he's trying to help people but costs the city millions of dollars", and best if all: "Cory Briggs cost the city millions for OTHER lawsuits. He makes a living out of it." Hate him if you want to, but the lawsuits he wins against the city (and he doesn't win them all) is quite simply because the city is wrong. If the city doesn't like being "sucked dry", then how about they stop setting themselves up for it? I usually don't continue trying to make somebody see the logic or truth in something when it's obvious they've dug their heels in the sand and won't consider anything other than their set in stone beliefs. I'm afraid I've exceeded that limit here. Believe what you want, I'm done sparring with you.
— February 18, 2017 5:10 a.m.

North Park Jack in the Box rebuild permit has yet to pop up

@ Cory Wixom: If you truly live "right next to" Jack in the Box, as you state and have "been going there for 25 years", yet contend it "literally looks exactly the same as before", it's hard to imagine how you missed the demolition and construction of the new restaurant. Simply compare the photographs included in Dorian's article - sorry, but you can't just simply paint a second story level to the elevation. Perhaps you were out of town during the months long construction, and missed the photographs of the site documenting the old building completely torn down? Cory Briggs is not "driving the lawsuit", residents are. And what "costs the city millions of dollars" is the city itself by not obeying its own laws. Briggs wins lawsuits, the city pays for breaking the law. Not sure how that makes him a con artist...? All the city has to do is start following its own laws, they don't get to pick and choose which laws to follow nor who they allow to bend or ignore those laws. A level playing field for all. What a concept! With that, Briggs wouldn't have those lawsuits to file, and those millions could be used to fill all those 'Dean Spanos triggered potholes'. @AlexClarke: The idea of requiring JIB to tear down the structure is enticing, and although there's a faction who would like to see Jack gone altogether, the lawsuit's focus is the drive through, in violation of city zoning laws. Stay if you want, Jack, this was never about your restaurant. Make it a walk-up window, a ride-your-bike-up window, whatever, just get rid of the illegal drive through and ease the traffic impacts to this residential neighborhood.
— February 16, 2017 8:32 p.m.

Who’s minding San Diego’s council districts?

Aw, C'mon now! 3rd District Councilman Todd Gloria is often seen walking the streets of his district! Following close behind is a photographer ready to snap a shot of Todd grinning and drooling over his "sexy streets" (his words, not mine) that he's so proud to have resurfaced. Meanwhile, he's too busy figuring out his next political move to deal with pesky little constituent issues! Lower your expectations, and things will be just the way the city wants them.
— March 14, 2015 12:50 p.m.

Burger chain gang heads to court

AlexClarke: Then I nominate you for King. Unfortunately, the Development Services Dept. (DSD) is revenue driven and the goal is to approve permits. Looking at little details like codes, zoning, community plans, laws are troublesome and bog things down. City Staff is currently nearing completion of the ninth update to the LDC (Land Development Code), in which they are supposedly 'fixing' the 'Maintenance, Repair, or Alteration of Previously Conforming Structures' section so that these "remodels" like Jack In the Box claimed "can never happen again" (those words have been thrown around by a lot of people of authority in this case). The new wording leaves things just as ripe for abuse as the original, and they won't include anything with real teeth to protect neighborhoods or residents. Even when a permit issued is "inconsistent with the City’s Land Development Code" (Goldsmith's opinion on JIB permitting process), the mistake is defended rather than corrected. Fortunately there's residents who are willing to fight for what is right rather than roll over and take it. Sometimes (not often enough) justice really does prevail. Hopefully Judge Prager will see that this one needs corrected.
— January 22, 2015 9:34 a.m.

Burger chain gang heads to court

So if you get far enough along in an illegal activity, you get a free pass to get away with it?Jack can simply close the drive through window, or make it a 'walk up' window, and carry on selling Jumbo Jacks. Nobody expects the facility to be torn down, just that the law be followed. There comes a time when accountability has to be a priority.
— January 21, 2015 7:05 p.m.

San Diego's Code Monitoring Team: Foxes guard the henhouse

Great reporting like always, Dorian. I doubt that many people knew about this group, lurking in the shadows! (I sit on a planning committee too, and never heard a word about it!) As long as the residents, planning groups, and above board developers (yeah, there are some...) allow this to go on, we will always see our neighborhoods eroded by unwanted and just plain bad development, despite the best efforts by community plan updates, watchdog groups, and involved residents trying to ensure existing code is enforced! Hey, Todd! If you want to "fix the problems" that plague this city, how about addressing this big one? Put this group in the same playing field as the rest, and set them on track for their original mission.
— December 18, 2013 6:24 p.m.

Hillcrest car-repair shop closure signals gentrification

Jonathan Segal is the same architect/developer that is building the multi-use project at 30th St. & Upas St. in North Park.
— December 2, 2013 6:32 p.m.

Arby's coming to North Park — with drive-thru?

Bishop Mathes said nothing in his communications about the posting of the Arby's sign on the fence installed around the property. I'm curious what the Diocese has to say about the posting of the sign itself. Did they even know about it, or was this a well played practical joke by some joker in North Park to see what the reaction would be? If so, well done joker, but even more: well done to the residents & community activists of North Park for jumping on this fast and hard to make sure the city is not sneaking more illegal development into our neighborhoods. This also gives insight that the issue of fast food restaurants/drive throughs and other auto intensive commercial use must be addressed specifically in the community plan, being updated right now. It is evident that the City will not enforce it's own muni code in these kinds of issues (Jack in the Box is just one example), so we need to be as detailed and specific as possible in our community plan to protect our neighborhoods against inappropriate development.
— December 2, 2013 11:03 a.m.

San Diego sides with Carmel Partners in Rolando project

Another fine example of the inept DSD and the enablement, and actual SUPPORT of improper permitting by City Attorney Jan Goldsmith, and Interim-Hypocrate Mayor Todd (Jgo & Tglo). DSD routinely issues ministerial permits for projects that should be subject to full public input process all over the city. When area residents catch on to this absolutely illegal activity, the project is usually far enough along that all the residents get is "oops, we made a mistake", "there's simply nothing we can do now", "it fell through the cracks", "we can't stop it without great risk", or "we'll make sure it never happens again"....this time it's "I think we are stuck". To Goldsmith re your quote: "The City can be held liable for failing to afford a developer due process even if there would have otherwise been a legitimate basis for issuing a stop work order had the process been followed". Did you already forget about Jack in the Box North Park? Filner followed due process then, and you refused to issue the stop work order, choosing instead to face a lawsuit by the residents rather than one by the Big Bucks Box. I have a suggestion: DO YOUR DAMN JOBS CORRECTLY, ALL OF YOU ! We would have none of this abuse of neighborhoods if DSD would simply correctly apply Land Use Code, Zoning, and Community plan regulations, and stop catering to big business interests. Goldsmith wouldn't have to "defend the City" against lawsuits for improperly issued permits, and Todd would no longer have to have to "clean up the mess" and could get back to his 'sexy streets'. Hey Rolandans for Quality Infill Development -- good for you! You are part of a movement throughout the city to say 'enough is enough' and stand up for your quality of life against a corrupt municipal system. Check out two other community groups who have joined forces to stop the endless cycle of abuse to our neighborhoods: http://www.careaboutclairemont.com/ http://www.careaboutnorthpark.com/ This happens all over our city. Certainly there are more groups who are fed up with it all. Maybe a united coalition of such neighborhood advocacy for groups could effect some real change in our messed up municipal system.
— November 5, 2013 8 p.m.