After a series of well-attended and productive public meetings, the blueprint for future development in Bird Rock is nearly finished. My thanks to the many community members that joined us at public forums in September, October and November.
In March, I asked respected local architects Michael
Stepner and Howard Blackson to oversee these forums to allow Bird Rock residents and merchants to talk about the favorite and least-favorite aspects of the community, and to help design a living document which will influence the way Bird Rock looks and feels in the future.
Participants overwhelmingly told us that they want Bird Rock to look and feel like a “neighborhood,” with places to gather and stroll, and storefronts integrated into the sidewalk and public spaces. They also told us what they don’t want to see: bulky and imposing buildings that block views.
Messrs. Stepner and Blackson incorporated all of this feedback into a series of recommendations which include: regulating the space between buildings and the street and setting “intensity zones” to avoid bulkiness and allow for maximum public space; setting building types and design standards to ensure compatibility between buildings and sidewalks; establishing maximum lot sizes and limiting lot consolidation to maintain the desired scale of development; and the acquisition and development of public space along La Jolla Boulevard.
These recommendations were presented to the Bird Rock Community Council in November, and received near-unanimous approval. After a second hearing at the BRCC, the plan moves to the La Jolla Community Planning Association and then, if approved, on to the city for review. The plan will ultimately be adopted by the City Council sometime next year.
Bird Rock residents and merchants should be proud of the work done so far in shaping the future of this vibrant community. I look forward to continuing that work in 2007.
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The First Council District was well represented at the recent San Diego/Imperial County chapter of the American Public Works Association (“APWA”) awards, which recognize exemplary public projects such as libraries, schools, and road, water and sewer improvements. These are examples of the many good things that are happening in the city of San Diego.
Of the 22 awards received by the city, six were for projects within the First District. La Jolla’s own Sewer Pump Station 19 was named Engineering and Capital Improvements Project of the Year, in recognition of the work done to renovate the deteriorating facility while transforming a simple sewer project into a welcoming view area and beach access point.
Another popular project honored by the APWA is the restroom facility at Kellogg Park, adjacent to La Jolla Shores beach. This is one of the city’s most heavily used restroom facilities, serving 2-3 million visitors each year. The La Jolla Village Drive widening project was also recognized, which included additional traffic and bike lanes, a turn lane at Torrey Pines Road, new curbs, sidewalks and improved landscaping, between Expedition Lane and Interstate 5.
These awards are the result of many years of hard work and innovation by the city’s Engineering and Capital Improvements department in cooperation with our community, under the leadership of Patti Boekamp. Patti and her staff are a credit to the City of San Diego.
As 2006 comes to a close, I want to extend my thanks to the residents of the First District for their support during this first year under a new form of city government. It is my honor and pleasure to continue to serve you on the City Council, and I look forward to serving a second term as Council President next year. The progress we have made this year in solving problems that have plagued the city for decades will allow us to make even greater progress in 2007.
District 1 Councilman and Council President Scott Peters contributes a monthly Council Corner column spotlighting City Hall happenings pertinent to the community of La Jolla.
