Residents demand action in Lemon Grove over ongoing storm drain woes

LEMON GROVE, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — As heavy downpours and possible thunderstorms are expected in San Diego once again, the city of Lemon Grove is working to repair problematic spots ruined by previous storms from 2024 alone.

“It just popped up, it just opened up, within a matter of a couple days,” said Andrew Mazon, who works as the public information officer with Lemon Grove Little League as he showed FOX 5/KUSI crews the giant sinkhole situated in his parking lot.

It’s strike number two, joining another large sinkhole that first eroded far behind center field along a hillside following historic rain back in January.

Now the league’s “field of dreams” is an ongoing nightmare, as storm damage packs a financial punch for the city. According to Mazon, the cost of restoring the area “…could be anywhere from $300,000 and up.”

Meanwhile, lines form at the Lemon Grove Community Center Tuesday night.

“Our tenant is living in a motel, the place is uninhabitable,” said David Brauner, who has been a property owner in Lemon Grove since 2005.

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The room was filled with multiple angry residents whose homes are said to have been plagued by broken storm drains. Their pleas for help come with strong backing from Councilmember Liana Lebaron who is calling upon council for swift action.

“For a very long time there has been a history of the city, not taking care of public infrastructure,” the councilmember said.

For Elijah Hill, it’s a matter of safety. He says his grandma got stuck in the sinkhole outside his home on the adjacent sidewalk when backing out of their driveway weeks back.

“We don’t have a light in this area, she couldn’t really see, so it took four or five people to dig her out,” Hill said.

Now, in a unanimous vote Tuesday evening, the city is moving forward with a resolution geared toward conducting emergency repairs on 6971 Broadway and 7701 Nichals St., which happens to be the home of Lemon Grove Little League.

However, while some say it’s a step in the right direction, it’s who the city is prioritizing first that’s raising concern.

“They didn’t come to my property. And when I get 18 inches of standing water up along the fence line because it can’t drain, there’s something going on,” one concerned resident said.

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About the Author

Yosi Yahoudai is a founder and the managing partner of J&Y. His practice is comprised primarily of cases involving automobile and motorcycle accidents, but he also represents people in premises liability lawsuits, including suits alleging dangerous conditions of public property, third-party criminal conduct, and intentional torts. He also has expertise in cases involving product defects, dog bites, elder abuse, and sexual assault. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of California and is admitted to practice in all California State Courts, and the United States District Court for the Southern District of California. If you have any questions about this article, you can contact Yosi by clicking here.