Hazardous Calimesa road to finally be fixed after residents speak out

CALIMESA, Calif. (KABC) -- A crumbling road that represents some Calimesa residents' only way in and out of their community will finally be fixed, after inquiries by ABC7 may have prompted city action.

Selrocco Drive is marred by a wide hole that drops down into the ground and exposes the hillside below, allowing only a single vehicle to pass by as drivers head in and out of Oak Hills Estates. Residents are worried by the safety hazard posed if two cars were to approach the spot at the same time, particularly in the dark or during a storm.

Residents of the gated community have been trying to get the city to fix the road, but the city has argued it's the responsibility of the homeowners association.

The homeowners dispute that, saying a letter by a city official from the 1990s declares that the homeowners are only responsible for the roads inside the community's gates, while the city would maintain Selrocco outside.

City manager Bonnie Johnson said that letter is meaningless without official city council action, which never happened.

But a day after ABC7's inquires, the city issued this statement: "As of today, the City received authorization from the property owner to enter the property and make the needed emergency repairs."

The city still believes the road is private property, leaving the larger dispute unresolved, but the road itself will be fixed.