On Jan. 14, Shores planners heard from neighbors about extending a noise mitigation wall along La Jolla Parkway, discussed priorities for community projects to be included in the city’s fiscal year 2016 budget and agreed to a language change in the city’s land development code affecting religious and other large assemblies in single-family neighborhoods.
A large crowd turned out at La Jolla Shores Association’s monthly meeting at Scripps Institution of Oceanography Jan. 14 to hear these and other neighborhood concerns.
Shores resident Rick Adams gave a slideshow presentation arguing that an existing 200-foot noise wall along La Jolla Parkway built a decade ago needs to be greatly expanded.
“More than 50,000 cars per day go down that road,” Adams said, “and noise standards measured in decibels are being exceeded.” He noted the existing wall serves only a handful of residents on the west end of La Jolla Parkway.
“If the wall were to be extended east up the hill, it would be just under 2,000 feet long,” Adams noted, adding that a petition to extend the wall has been signed by more than 100 local residents.
Adams said the first step in the process to extend the sound wall would be to “do an analysis and figure out whether it’s feasible, the cost and so forth.”
Association board member Mary Coakley Munk cautioned that any extension of the wall would have to be done sensitively, with thoughtful planning to ensure it’s “worthy of the reputation of the community.” Munk also suggested that neighbors look into doing some private fundraising for the proposed project rather than relying solely on the city, adding that would likely save both time and money.
A motion was made to add the noise mitigation wall to the community’s capital improvement wish list for this year’s budget. The group vote was 11-1, with one abstention.
Association chair Tim Lucas later led a group discussion about what community projects in the Shores should be included on the District 1 budget priority list. One suggestion was that Allen Park be included in the Shores Planned District Ordinance, the community’s blueprint for development. Another request was to ask for newer, more modern seagull-proof trash cans in Kellogg Park. It was also suggested that another 18 inches be added to the sidewalk to connect it with a ramp for the disabled near Piatti’s restaurant. Other suggestions included more crosswalks and street striping.
The board also voted overwhelmingly to adopt changes to the city’s land development code that would require development of religious facilities and other large-scale assemblies in the Shores to obtain a conditional use permit.
In other matters:
• Residents were told by community planners, some of whom are merchants, that business is down as much as three-quarters due to ongoing construction along the Avenida de la Playa commercial strip to replace storm water and sewer infrastructure. That point was underscored by Café Solange owner Christian Malecot, who announced he will be closed on weekdays during construction for the next couple months.
• Justin Garver, from District 1 Councilwoman Sherri Lightner’s office, announced that a long-sought park ranger to cover Kellogg and other beachfront parks has been hired.
• Lifeguard Lt. Rich Stropky said the five existing Shores kayak concessionaires have all submitted application materials for a new request for proposals process, which will extend their leases with the city and spell out operating conditions for ocean kayaking tours.