University Community Planning Group (UCPG) members commended the Salk Institute for its responsiveness to recommendations made during a presentation at last month’s UCPG meeting.
“This is the first time that something started out controversial and you listened to the community,” UCPG President Linda Colley said at the July 8 meeting.
Following a long process, UCPG members unanimously approved a plan allowing the Salk Institute “” established in the 1960s by polio vaccine developer Jonas Salk, M.D. “” to expand its facilities. Although the University Community plan allows 500,000 square feet, the plan will expand the existing seven buildings for a total of 289,818 square feet sitting on a 26.34-acre site.
However, Salk representative Mark Rowson said the institute would not meet certain conditions; mainly, Salk decided to split the land into four parcels. UCPG members accepted Salk’s resolution, as Rowson said the institute decided to grant one environmentally sensitive parcel a conservation easement.
“We’re granting a conservation easement over the South Peninsula,” Rowson said, adding that the institute would probably give that property to an environmental entity. “We’re subdividing the properties for financing purposes, but we always thought the South Mesa was environmentally sensitive.”
Rowson told UCPG that once Salk granted the conservation easement, no development could occur on the parcel. UCPG group members told Rowson they would accompany him to the City of San Diego’s planning commission meeting to offer support.
“I’d like to say that people think that what we do sometimes is a waste of time, and this project was very contentious and you would be going forward to a city council under different circumstances, so I thank you,” UCPG member Debbie Knight said.
Because the Salk Institute did not have a profit motive like other developers, UCPG members commended the institute’s commitment to work with the planners and the community.
“Salk had to go raise money, so if anyone had motive to go to city council, it was Salk,” UCPG board member George Lattimer said. “Florida has probably knocked on Salk’s door weekly, so it would be exceedingly foolish for the city to say no to Salk. This site is exceptionally important to them.”
For more information about Salk’s master plan, go to www.salk.edu/master_plan.
For more information about UCPG, go to www.uc-planning-group.com.