Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in San Dimas public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
20 issues with high priority
Charter Oak Mobile Home Estates wall project cost overrun
The city-owned mobile home park and senior apartments need a new property manager after DeFalco backed out. Residents described years of incompetent management and suggested the city hire its own manager instead — the RFP release starts that search.
Sexual assault awareness at San Dimas High School
Student leaders told the council they're organizing a November 19 panel with professionals to address sexual assault, harassment, and mental health after a recent crisis at the school.
SB 1123 ADU/JADU moratorium extension
The state Housing Department required San Dimas to make it crystal clear that apartments and condos on Housing Element sites are allowed by right — no discretionary hearings. Nothing changes in practice, but it keeps the city compliant with state law.
Caltrans right-of-way conditions and encampments
Councilmember Vienna thanked staff and the sheriff's captain for meeting with residents about homelessness, and Councilmember Bratakos discussed proactive approaches near the train station learned at a regional conference.
Zoning Code Cleanup: CUPs and Unclassified Uses
A zoning change for Specific Plan No. 6 would allow new vehicle sales, service and outdoor vehicle storage conditionally — the step needed for a Rivian electric vehicle sales, service and delivery center in a 51,000-square-foot industrial building. The city expects new jobs and sales tax revenue.
Future of the Walker House / Vincenzo's Terrazza
The city extended the restaurant's lease at the historic Walker House six months at $6,300/month — well below the ~$20,200 market rate — after the operator missed its own extension deadline. The council weighed roughly $23,850 in past rent reductions, returned late fees, and $568,000 in coming capital repairs like HVAC and roof replacement.
EV Charging Fees at City Stations
Nine city EV chargers that are currently free cost the general fund over $100,000 a year in electricity — double what it was two years ago. The council signed a deal with Liberty Plugins to handle payments and will hold a public hearing to set the actual charging fee, with possible idle fees, resident discounts and senior rates on the table.
Citywide Landscape Parcel Tax Increase
LA County is considering a half-percent sales tax (the Healthcare Funding Restoration Act) for the June 2026 ballot. San Dimas is formally opposing it, arguing its residents already pay less than neighboring areas and voted down a local increase.
Adoption of the FY 2026-27 City Budget
The city's finances are trending better than feared: revenues are above projections, sales tax is up $200,000, and strong interest earnings are shrinking the projected deficit. The council approved amendments mostly to cover higher water costs.
Deteriorating Street Pavement Condition
Councilmember Bratakos asked for a future meeting and report on the deteriorating condition of Valley Center Road between Gladstone and Arrow Highway; the city manager will bring back the plan.
Zone Zero wildfire rules and defensible space
About 500-600 San Dimas homeowners are getting defensible space notices for the first time after the state updated its fire hazard severity maps. Protest deadlines run through March 5, with inspections in May.
E-bike safety concerns
The city pushed out e-bike law information after a spike in deadly crashes regionally; the mayor called e-bikes 'essentially motorcycles' and warned parents. Councilmember Bratakos noted riders must be 16 for scooters.
Kimberley Avenue private street maintenance
Residents described crumbling pavement, potholes, and trash trucks tearing up their private street with no HOA or city maintenance. Councilmembers explored whether a special assessment district could let the city maintain it, and asked staff to gauge resident interest.
School facilities bond (Measure A) and broken classroom A/C
A San Dimas High junior described classrooms that hit 90 degrees when air conditioning failed, arguing the bond measure would fix conditions that hurt learning.
1356 W. Cienega Avenue lot split and two-story homes
The council approved splitting one large lot into two, each with a two-story house plus an ADU. Neighbors on private Kimberly Avenue fear parking shortages, lost privacy, fire access problems, and construction impacts they say the city can't regulate later. Councilmembers said state housing law (Housing Crisis Act/SB 9) left them no legal path to deny a compliant project.
Renewal of San Dimas Mobile Home Accord
The accord caps space rents and rent increases at all five mobile home parks and was renewed unchanged through 2031 with full agreement from park owners. About 906 households rely on these protections.
Cancellation of the June 2, 2026 municipal election
The city officially called its election for mayor (two-year term) and council seats in Districts 2 and 4, consolidated with the LA County statewide primary. That means candidates for those seats will start lining up soon, and San Dimas voters will pick their leadership this June.
Via Verde 76 Gas Station Remodel and Code Amendments
The new owner of the long-neglected Via Verde 76 station is investing roughly $1 million to convert the dead service bays into a bigger convenience store with fresh food, coffee, and Thrifty ice cream. The council scrapped the old 1,000-square-foot cap for this specific plan area and gave gas stations citywide a half-space-per-pump parking credit. Some worry about competition with the nearby Vons and alcohol sales near the 57 freeway.
Public Safety Spending and the A-Line Fatality
A resident criticized the city's $9.5 million law enforcement spending and new bus stops, and Councilmember Vienna countered that public safety is under 29% of the general fund — below neighboring cities. The council also addressed a fatal vehicle-bicycle collision near the A-Line, urging safety from both drivers and cyclists.
Sanctuary State Law Resolution
San Dimas didn’t end up becoming the first L.A. County city to formally oppose California’s sanctuary state law after a heated public meeting. The city backed off, so for now there’s no official local challenge to the state policy—just a loud civic fight over immigration politics.