Election Cycle for 2026
Meet the candidates running for the 2026 GGHPC board. Our 8 current members are seeking re-election. Read their statements below to learn more about who they are and why they serve.
Not seeing your name? Write-in candidates are welcome too.
What does being a GGHPC member entail?
Active Participation: Attend monthly meetings and participate in discussions on land use, development, and other community issues.
Community Advocacy: Represent the interests of Greater Golden Hill residents and businesses.
Decision-Making Power: Vote on important planning decisions that affect our neighborhood.
How to Run for a Seat:
Eligibility: To be an eligible community member an individual must be at least 18 years of age, and shall be affiliated with the community as a:
(1) property owner, who is an individual identified as the sole or partial owner of record, or their designee, of a real property (either developed or undeveloped), within the community planning area,
or
(2) resident, who is an individual whose primary address of residence is an address in the community planning area,
or(3) local business person, who is a local business or not-for profit owner, operator, or designee at a non-residential real property address in the community planning area:
only one representative of a particular establishment may hold a seat on the community planning group at one time.
Nomination: Please submit a brief statement of interest outlining your qualifications and why you're interested in serving on the GGHPC.
Election: Eligible candidates will be included on a ballot, and GGHPC members will vote to select the new members at our next meeting, November 19th.
2026 Candidate Statements
Aaron De Groot
I'm a 2.5 year resident and homeowner in South Park but I grew up in North Park.
I love Greater GH for all the reasons we all do. Community, walkability, neighborhood charm, natural beauty.
Change is inevitable, but it should be for the betterment of our community. I support a 5 story maximum on new development. I have a perfect attendance record in my 2 years in this volunteer job.
I helped in getting 3 new stop signs in the Felton/Beech neighborhood.
If you reelect me I will be here every time.
I will always listen to every single resident in our community. I humbly ask for your vote if you like what I wrote here.
Patricia Law
Patricia Law has lived in Golden Hill/South Park for the last 41 years. She has enjoyed the unique culture of the area it's walkability, small shops and restaurants plus the historic houses. This neighborhood was a haven for artists and intellectuals also diversity of population.
Elise Piazza
I’m a recent San Diego State graduate with a master’s degree in Geography and a transplant to San Diego. I’ve had the pleasure of living in Golden Hill for the past 2 years. Growing up in rural Northern California, moving to San Diego was a huge culture shock but being in Golden Hill felt special and I’ve felt very welcomed by the community. I have a passion for working to provide equitable solutions to many of our shared issues. This is my first community group and I’m excited to help better the community for myself and my neighbors. I want to work with the other members of the committee and the community-members to support our common goals. I’m still learning about San Diego and Golden Hill and I look forward to serving the area.
Richard Santini
Hello Greater Golden Hill neighbors,
I am honored to once again ask for your support to continue serving on the Greater Golden Hill Community Planning Group.
My involvement with the Planning Group began in 2008 as an active meeting attendee, and then I first joined the board in 2009. Over the years, I have served in multiple roles including Media Coordinator, archival correspondence lead, and Vice Chair. I helped rewrite our bylaws and proudly worked on the Greater Golden Hill Community Plan Update, for which our group received recognition from then–California State Senator Toni Atkins.
After completing an eight-year maximum term, I stepped away as required by our bylaws, remained engaged during my required year off, and then returned to serve another full 8 year term — currently as Vice Chair alongside Chair David Swarens. That second term concludes this month of February.
During my service, I have consistently focused on:
Asking rigorous questions of developers and city staff.
Ensuring projects align with our Community Plan.
Protecting neighborhood scale and infrastructure.
Representing homeowners, renters, and small businesses.
Preserving transparency and due process.
Recently, I have also helped organize Preserve Greater Golden Hill, a grassroots coalition working to ensure that development follows the rules and respects our adopted Community Plan. Our community deserves thoughtful growth — not unchecked density that overwhelms infrastructure, parking, safety, and neighborhood character.
About Me: I am a homeowner and small business owner in South Park. I share my time being a scientist in drug discovery, performing community engagement, and working with local youth sports. My children attend school locally, and I am deeply invested in the future of this community — not just as a resident, but as a parent and long-term stakeholder.
In addition to the Planning Group, I:
Served on the board of San Diego EarthWorks (producer of EarthFair in Balboa Park) for over 25 years.
Served on the Albert Einstein Academies High School Task Force.
Volunteer as a board member, and umpire with North Park Little League youth baseball.
If there continues to be a need for experienced members willing to serve, I would be honored to continue contributing my time and energy to Greater Golden Hill.
Thank you for your consideration and for caring about our community.
Richard Santini
Summer Fernquist
I am a design professional with a passion for thoughtful, community-centered spaces. I work at a local firm and bring over a decade of experience in numerous project types. I bring a strong understanding of the built environment and how design decisions shape neighborhoods over time. Originally from a small rural town on the central coast to now working and living in a metropolitan area- I have an appreciation for balance, equity and the proper use of scale.
Our family moved to the Greater Golden Hill area about a year ago. We have a daughter and two dogs who love being outside and enjoying the walkability and respite in the city. We appreciate the authentic sense of community that makes it feel both vibrant and neighborly. As a member of our local planning committee for the past few months, I hope to continue to contribute to a collaborative environment, an ability to thoughtfully review development proposals, and a deep commitment to ensuring growth, livability, and long-term vitality of the neighborhood.
Melinda Lee
I have lived in the Golden Hill/South Park community for 48 years and raised two daughters, both of whom graduated from San Diego High. I attended San Diego State University completing graduate work in Urban Studies and was employed as a representative for a County Supervisor.
The Greater Golden Hill Planning Committee is not new to me, as I have served at least ten years on the GGHPC board previously. Other local interests include actively supporting the South Park Business Group, for which I even drove the bus! My areas of concern regarding our community are City development, housing and transportation issues and I am currently active in the anti- A Street building project.
Brian Schwab
Originally from Syracuse, N.Y., but have fallen in love with San Diego. I've been fortunate enough to call Golden Hill home since 2018. In that time, I've watched the city transform rapidly. I'm passionate about urban planning, infrastructure, and problem-solving.
I believe it's critically important for the community to be active in shaping the city we want for the future.
David Swarens
David has been around the Golden Hill Planning process for many years, becoming active in the GGHPC after he and his partner moved to the South Park neighborhood in 2009. He served as Chair of the planning group for three terms before terming out five years ago. During that period the community updated the GH Community Plan and implemented the South Park Historic District.
He has been involved in community and economic development, particularly historic preservation, and was one of the founders of the Sherman Heights Community Center. David previously also served on the planning groups for Southeastern San Diego as well as Old Town and was active in Community Plan updates for both of those areas. He represented Greater Golden Hill on the Airport Noise Advisory Committee during his previous tenure on the GGHCPC.
Gina Von der Kret
I’ve been a proud San Diego resident my entire life, and for more than 14 years, South Park has been my home. I’m raising two teenagers here, and as a homeowner, I’m deeply invested in the future of our neighborhood.
By day, I work from home as a Senior UX Director, designing user experiences for websites and applications.
In my free time, I’m a long-distance runner and spend many weekends exploring South Park, Golden Hill, North Park, and Balboa Park. I live in the 32nd Street Canyon and volunteer with Friends of 32nd Street Canyon to help care for this amazing open space.
When I’m not running, you’ll often find me walking my dogs in the neighborhood, attending community events, and supporting our local businesses. I’m excited to bring my commitment to community involvement to the planning group.