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Obtaining a Building Permit is a slow, time-consuming process that can seem like an impenetrable maze of obstacles and hurdles.  It involves reviews by numerous discipline experts in many different departments, in several agencies in different jurisdictions, lots of forms and a host of approval stamps.  The process has become slower because of the protocols put in place to protect the people involved from COVID-19.  But, we have achieved an important milestone: our plans have passed the Plan Check process at San Diego County Planning & Development Services and are now at the City of Vista for the next steps in [...]

Concrete, consisting of portland cement, sand, gravel and water, is a critical component of construction projects.  Concrete will be poured for the foundations of our cottages.  Jon Hill, Instructor in the AGC Apprenticeship Program, asked Dave Weintraub of Robertson’s Ready Mix if Robertson’s would donate a load of concrete, 9 cubic yards of 3,000 psi Concrete Pea Gravel Mix, for the foundation of SM #1.  This much concrete is expensive.  So, we were very grateful when Dave said Yes.  Robertson’s has facilities throughout southern California, the Bay Area, and southern Nevada.  But, the concrete will probably be delivered from their Escondido [...]

Cosmic Solar & Roofing installed a solar system expansion at my house two years ago.  I contacted Cosmic because they were highly recommended by neighbors who had solar systems designed and installed by Cosmic.  I was very   happy with their work and have recommended them to     others.  Pey Shadzi, Cosmic’s Operations Manager, has  advised me about solar requirements under our new building codes.  They are a great group, so when I asked Bahram Shadzi, Founder and President, to donate 2 solar panels, 2 inverters, some rails, wiring, connectors and hardware for our BITA curriculum, I was pretty confident that Bahram would [...]

You read in our August newsletter that the Building Industry Technology Academy (BITA) curriculum has been updated to include solar system installation.  Students will build a mock-up roof to hone their roofing and solar installation skills.  We asked Will Picquelle, owner of Temecula Roofing Co., if he could donate some asphalt shingles for this project.  His response: “Thank you for the opportunity to assist you on this project.”  He even offered to work with our students when they return to school.  In addition to running a successful roofing business, Will volunteers countless hours to the community, including with the Alaska Adenture [...]

The Navy Construction Maintenance Battalion (CMBU) 303 has volunteered to help us with site work for SM #1.  CMBU-303 is a shore-based command within the Navy Expeditionary Combat Force aligned with the West Coast Seabees under Naval Construction Group 1.  They are an integrated active and Reserve unit homeported in San Diego with an active duty detachment in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and Reserve detachments in San Diego, Port Hueneme, California, and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.  The Seabee nickname is a heterograph of the first letters "C B" from the words Construction Battalion.  Seabees have major construction skills, and we are very grateful for [...]

I learned about Sunbelt Rentals at the opening ceremony for a home the Gary Sinise Foundation built for a Marine in Vista.  Sunbelt is a big supporter of the Gary Sinise Foundation.  So, when I asked for help from Michael Clonts and Richard Busto, Managers of the Sunbelt stores in Vista and Escondido, respectively, I was pretty confident that they would say yes  - and they did, enthusiastically!  They will loan us a mini-excavator and trencher for our site work at the Wounded Warrior Homes site in Vista.  Thanks Sunbelt for supporting our vets!

The State of California requires that all new Single Family Dwelling Units have automated residential fire sprinkler systems installed.  New Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are also required to have sprinkler systems if the Single Family Dwelling Unit where the ADU is installed has fire sprinklers.  Fortunately for us, Symons Fire Protection, Inc., a Building Industry Association member, has offered to plan and install fire sprinklers in SM #1.  When our students are back in school, Symons will teach our students how to install sprinklers in SM #2.  Thank you Symons!  

Providing utilities for our cottages is one of the more challenging tasks facing us.  It will be a little different for each cottage.  It helps to have an advisor that understands the technical requirements and the process for working with SDG&E.  Our first cottage, SM #1, will be installed at a Wounded Warriors Home residence in Vista.  Tom Perez, Senior Project Manager for EPI (The Engineering Partners, Inc.), visited the SM #1 site and told us what we need to do and explained the process for working with SDG& E.  Before joining EPI, a Building Industry Association member, Tom spent 20 [...]