Escondido man in trouble over backyard rock tower
By: DAVID GARRICK - Staff Writer | ∞
Escondido homeowner John Miller stands on a pile of rocks he's erected to help stop the erosion near a stream that runs through his property.
DON BOOMER Staff Photographer
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ESCONDIDO - A homeowner in southern Escondido is in hot water with state and city officials for trying to solve his backyard erosion problems by assembling a makeshift rock tower in the creek behind his home.
"When you try to be a little proactive, you run into problems," said John Miller, who has owned his home on Verda Avenue for nine years. "I just put some rocks in the bottom of the creek to stop the erosion in my yard."
After receiving a complaint about the rocks, city officials contacted Miller and then sent a code enforcement officer to his house last week to discuss the rock tower, said Leslie Milks, the city's code enforcement manager.
"There were a couple of issues there," said Milks. "He brought in too many rocks, and he placed them in a creekbed. Any alteration of a creekbed has to be approved by (the state Department of) Fish and Game."
Miller said he was subsequently visited by someone from Fish and Game, who told him they would return this fall to recommend some remedies.
Meanwhile, Miller said that he has left the rock pile in the creekbed so that he can prevent erosion.
"I haven't changed anything because I'm a little confused," said Miller. "And I'll lose more of my yard without the rocks."
About one-third of his
1-acre lot has been cut off by the Escondido Creek, which Miller said has been flowing more forcefully since several condominium projects were built nearby his home on Citracado Parkway and Escondido Boulevard.
"The city knows about the problems we've been having over here with erosion," said Miller, explaining that a handful of homes in his neighborhood are losing their yards. "But the city claims it's not their problem."
Miller said the erosion has created an open swath that is about 20 feet by 25 feet.
"It's actually a nice little microclimate, but it's just a drainage ditch," Miller said.
Miller said concerns that the upcoming winter may be wetter than usual prompted him to build the rock tower, which he estimated was about 10 feet above the surface of the water.
Milks said the city's engineering department will continue to pursue the issue with Miller, explaining that the rock tower might be in a public right of way.
"We'd prefer to have everything removed," said Milks. "He can go through the normal process to do grading outside the creek, but we can't approve anything for the creek."
Milks said it is rare, but not unprecedented, for residents to unilaterally decide to alter creekbeds.
Contact staff writer David Garrick at (760) 740-5468 or dgarrick@nctimes.com.
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Is it worse with new development wrote on Sep 22, 2007 7:46 AM:Looks like an example of a person trying to save his property from erosion that has worsened by the insertion of new developments nearby. Did those developments change the grade or alter the streambed in any way to cause the increase. It seems as if the creekbed would be dry since we are in a drought. What are they to do to stop the erosion from occurring? Did the stream itself change course ? Maybe the City should be contacted by all the residents at a city council meethig-with a slide show, and ask the council for help.
oh brother wrote on Sep 22, 2007 8:35 AM:i hope he tells them to get ... off his property. he is not stopping the flow of surface water. they just cant figure out a way to make any money in fees from him. they need to research it a little. ridiculous.
Tom U. wrote on Sep 22, 2007 8:41 AM:Entities such as Escondido's Engineering department and "especially" the states Fish and Wildlife Department are completely out of control. The "normal" process Mr. Wilks cites is ineffective and arduous to say the least. Fix the problem for Mr. Miller, don't create a bigger problem. It should be the city and states duty to assist me in a reasonable way.
Esco Critic wrote on Sep 22, 2007 9:55 AM:Way to go City of Escondido! What a criminal you have found again! I just love the way the city throws money away. Why do you continue to go after people like this homeowner trying to stop the erosion of his property and continue to ignore the gang members robbing people and the hookers walking all over the place
Priorities wrote on Sep 22, 2007 10:53 AM:Escondido Code Enforcement is out of control. They pick on homeowners trying to protect their property, but ignore obvious blight rampant in the City. Where are the priorities? Where is the common sense? Obviously not at the Escondido Code Enforcement Dept.
Fred H wrote on Sep 22, 2007 11:27 AM:Stock it with trout and I will bring the beer & carne asada!
Esco citizen wrote on Sep 22, 2007 12:09 PM:I have looked at the developed wall and Yes it is not affecting the flow of water at all. It is mearly there to stop the erosian when the water rises. I am appalled with all the immigration problems, Stabbing, Robberies, I agree with Esco Critic, There is alot more problems in Escondido than a Darn Break wall for erosion. Stop wasting our money trying to enforce codes on our homeowners and enforce the codes on the trash walking around our street. They are more of an eyesore than any rock wall.
The Escondido Creek Conservancy wrote on Sep 22, 2007 12:14 PM:The waterway in question is a tributary to the San Dieguito River. It is not 'Escondido Creek', whose watershed is situated several miles to the north.
Get a Clue wrote on Sep 22, 2007 10:09 PM:Does anyone here have common sense? I always see the postings bashing the city and code enforcement for doing what they are supposed to do. I can only guess that the people complaining have.... 1. Never been effected by these issues so they don't care and 2. Have been effected by these issues but don't complain to the APPROPRIATE department. Police, Fire, Code Enforcement, Public Works, etc. are all different departments with different duties. You wouldn't tell a meter reader to arrest a drug dealer would you. People like Esco Critic need to do some research prior to making assumptive statements about the city and its employees.
Dennis A wrote on Sep 22, 2007 11:17 PM:Yep! it's big Brother, on the wrong street though. Bet he got the rock from the other digs around his place. No common sense says"If the Goverment cann't help me stay out of my yard!!" thats for the over-lookers. I'm shure if Mr. Beaver builds to big a wall it will fall,damn gravity. He is just trying to save his with what he's got, not long for the rest of us too!!-
Got a clue wrote on Sep 23, 2007 3:28 PM:This city is very well known for going after the people who they know will comply. They dont do anyting about the blatant code violations, they go right past them with blinders on, because most of these violators wont comply and the city doesnt really do anything about it. And yes, I'm blaming Code enforcement for code violations, Public works for the terrible streets that dont get repaired properly and for the dirty streets that dont get swept. It's ridiculous that this person is trying to stop the erosion of his property himself. The city needs to step up and do their job, take care of the problem. But then why would we expect them to do that now, they havent been for years./
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