You are now in San Diego County category.

OPINION: The Drought Doesn’t Mean Your HOA Has To Look Like A Wasteland

Our homeowner association near Santa Clarita has a problem that most of the other associations around us don’t seem to share. Our association board appears to go out of its way not to approve drought-resistant landscaping or makes it difficult for owners to pick out plants. Several dozen of our 500 or so homeowners have stopped watering because of the drought. Trees, shrubs and lawns are completely dead. Most of the dead grass has even disappeared and all that is left at many properties is just dirt.

 

Residents Upset As Carlsbad Hikes Water Rates

Residents spoke and sent letters en masse but to no effect as water rate increases were approved by the City Council on Tuesday. Mayor Matt Hall, though, stressed the action was unavoidable and the average 4.85 percent rate increases were limited as the Carlsbad Municipal Water District dipped into its reserve fund to ease the cost hike. City Finance Manager Aaron Beanan reported to the council the rate increase is due to a massive spike from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, which hit customers with a 12.1 percent increase.