The University Community Planning Group March 8 summary courtesy of Nancy Groves, UCPG Resident Representative R-1-C District 1:
Chair Janay Kruger opened the (March 8, 2016) meeting by reminding everyone to vote before 8 PM for the UCPG candidates. The San Diego City Community Planning Committee of the planning group chairs met and discussed the proposed SANDAG half-cent sales tax to yield $203 billion for more roads and infra structure. The San Diego Marathon is Dec. 18, 2016.
Sherri Lightner’s rep reported on the city council passage of the urban incentive zone, lifeguard union expanded health agreement, and city boards still open for parking and libraries. The expansion of hours for the UC Rapid Response Team is in the budget proposal. There will not be a city bond issue in June, but the city council is considering the budget and will send it to the mayor in May. The study is on going on air pollution control at Miramar landfill and the odor source. Recycling is still a priority. On behalf of the city a formal commendation was given to Bruce Rainey for his four years of service on the UCPG.
Supervisor Dave Roberts’ rep reported on the Work Force Policy Board meeting April 28 to match employers with employees and on the Getting to Zero Task Force on HIV/Aids as well as Aging and Independence Services forums.
Scott Peters’ rep reported on free income tax prep for those who need it at Nobel Library, and the Educational Plan, and the High School Art Contest deadline April 20. Congressmen Peters went to Flint, MI to examine the water situation.
Senior City Planner Dan Monroe gave an update on the community plan amendment. The planners are still summarizing the Feb. survey results on walking, driving, and biking in U.C. The city will release the draft EIR by summer.
Public Comments:
1.) John Murphy is the selected Project Executive for Costa Verde who will present to the city in two weeks and to the UCPG Subcommittee in April.2.) Barbara Bry and Kyle Heiskala each introduced themselves as seeking the City Council seat of Sherri Lightner.
UTC Westfield Update: John Alderson assured us that there would be a new Forum Hall for meetings. They are tearing down the old Nordstrom’s building and the new 144,000 sq. ft. building on the corner of La Jolla Village Drive and Genesee will be above the parking and is being paid for by Nordstrom; it is on schedule and on budget. UTC tenants are 30% committed, 60% are in advanced negotiations, and 10% local vendors are not yet committed. Lots of new restaurants with outdoor seating and many trees will be added. There may be a residential tower added on the southwest corner with up to 294 apartments. The parking structure will open before Nov. 23, 2016 with 2,000 spaces of which 200 will be for trolley riders and validated parking will be available for Arc Light, 24hr Fitness, and restaurants. After 2017, a new additional parking lot will open.
Fire Station 50 on Nobel: Elif Cetin from City Public Works gave an update on the planning progress and introduced architects Safdie Rabines and their landscape architect. The Fire Chief, Brian Fennessy and the city civil engineer have approved the 12,400 sq. ft. fire station plans. The UCPG sub-committee approved the preliminary plans. Everyone within 300 ft. has been notified. The architects showed images of the plans both inside and out. The building has a small footprint and gains space by going up and also uses half floor mezzanines within. The schedule: need approval of UCPG, city approval in May, bids out in summer and construction plans in by winter 2016-17 with ground breaking in late 2017. The landscape architect explained zone 2 with removal of invasive species and replanting of natives. The station is in the Multi-Species Habitat Planning Area (MHPA) and they are keeping reduced light spill and will mitigate swap for the land used within the same area. This was an action item and the UCPG approved the plans unanimously.
UCSD Update and Process of the Plan for 2030. Robert Clossin, Director of Physical & Community Planning and Anu Delouri, Assistant Director walked us through the process used to update the current Long Range Development Plan (LRDP.) The building plans are made in accordance with the campus academic and research plans for capital improvement and plans for future development. UCSD currently has 33,735 total enrollment including undergraduates, grads, medical/pharmacy students and 30,000 employees and 29,200 direct jobs attributable to UCSD related companies. The long-range development plan must predict the rate of student, faculty, and employee growth. The Master Plan includes the university center, the six undergraduate college neighborhoods, academic building corridors, and connections as walkways, roads, and the new bridge over hwy. 5, and the 300-acre park of eucalyptus groves, ecological reserve and restoration area east of 805. UCSD plans by 2035 to add 800-1,000 housing units at Mesa apts. and 2,000 beds north of Muir. General land use capacity will be reached in 20-30 years. The time line for the LRDP includes enrollment projections by spring ’16, LRDP by summer ’16, EIR Scoping process fall’16, circulate EIR and public review summer ’17, send to the Regents for approval by 2018. Discussion ensued on bike and pedestrian paths into the community, the coastal bike trail, parking on city streets, possible use of Qualcomm stadium in the future, downtown presence, parking, traffic, transportation circulation, family housing on campus, and amenities.
City Council Action to sell 5 Excess Properties. One of these properties lies in the UCPG area with 4 acres of a 42-acre area developable land valued at $4,070,000. Proceeds of the sale would go to the capital outlay fund and a portion for police. A motion was made that the city remove from consideration for sale the three parcels at the north terminus of Campus Point Dr. totaling 42 acres. In 2012 the UCPG voted to recommend that the entire 42 acres be dedicated as open space since the parcels are inside the Multi-Species Habitat Planning Area (MHPA). The land is part of the 150 plus acre site that is part of Roselle Canyon and it represents one of the last undeveloped coastal headlands in the north city area. The motion passed with 12 yeas, and 3 abstentions.
MID-Coast Trolley Update: SANDAG reported that they are in the process of issuing “Resolutions of Necessity” to take land for the trolley right of way, taking the minimum amount of sq. ft. and pricing the property. Much of this land involves La Jolla Colony managed by McKibbon Co. and will affect Barcelona, La Paz, Irvine Co., Scripps, as well as land in the CA Pizza Kitchen area. There will be a meeting at Doyle on March 29 at 6PM to discuss the impact on those living in the area. Most currently owning or renting in the area do not seem to be aware of the taking of the land since McKibbon has not informed them.
Election Results:
R-1-C Resident Nancy Groves 198, Glen Martin 22, Lou Rodolico 8
R2 Resident Isabelle Kay 4
R3 Resident Alice Buck 1
B1 Business Nan Madden, Montessori Academy 2
B2 Business Kris Kopensky, The Irvine Company 1
B3 Business Jason Moorhead, Alexandria Real Estate 2
B3 Business Ross Caulum, 2 yrs left to finish B. Rainey’s term 1
University Community Planning Group (UCPG) meetings are held on second Tuesdays. The next scheduled meeting is Tuesday, April 12, 2016. For information and agendas, visit http://www.sandiego.gov/planning/community/profiles/university/agendas.shtml
Notes:
Area 1 (south University City) resident representatives:
Meagan Beale – Term expires 2017
Andrew Weise – Term expires 2018
Nancy Groves – Term expires 2019
For more information on the Univesity Community Planning Group, please refer to the following:
UCPG Bylaws http://www.sandiego.gov/planning/community/pdf/bylaws/unbylaws.pdf
University Community Plan Home http://www.sandiego.gov/planning/community/profiles/university/index.shtml
Community Planning Home http://www.sandiego.gov/planning/community/index.shtml
