In May, Peninsula Community Planning Board grappled with public discontent over development changing their community’s character and opposed discontinuing Bus Route 84 service to the Point, while hearing a pitch to form a new town council.
“Councilmember Lorie Zapf is on the MTS board of directors, which has authorized a plan to optimize bus routes in San Diego, which includes eliminating Bus Route 84 down Rosecrans Street connecting with the Submarine Base, Cabrillo National Monument, Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery and SPAWAR,” District 2 Council aide Conrad Wear told the board.
While conceding Route 84 “does not have too many riders,” Wear nonetheless pointed out Zapf feels the elimination of the bus route would seriously inconvenience “disabled vets, widows and families” who’d be faced with a $20-plus Uber ride versus a $2.50 bus fare.
“The MTS board could take this up as early as June 6,” said Wear, noting Cabrillo National Monument alone “attracts 1 million visitors a year.”
“We feel this is a major concern and an urgent matter,” Wear added.
“I agree this is a deplorable thing – but I don’t see it as an emergency,” said board member Don Sevrens.
Colleague Robert Goldyn disagreed, moving to make it an agenda action item.
“To get rid of that bus route providing access to both the monument and cemetery seems short-sighted,” agreed board member Brad Herrin.
“Given the circumstances, that MTS will convene before our next meeting, it seems reasonable to put this on the agenda (now) as an action item,” concurred board member Jim Hare.
The group voted 10-0-1 to support Council District 2’s opposition to the proposed Peninsula bus route change.
Some residents of Point Loma’s Roseville area have been arguing that local development has long taken advantage of existing zoning laws allowing over densification. The issue resurfaced during discussion of a three-story multifamily residential development at 3128-38 Canon St.
From the audience, a woman living near the project denounced it as a “monstrosity,” arguing “it would ruin the neighborhood character.” She added area homes consist of “1950s-era bungalows not high rises.”
“We (PCPB) don’t have a plan to review our community plan,” said board member David Dick, adding, “Property owners in Roseville are dying, and their families are selling the properties off and they’re being renovated — but the zoning is wrong.”
Project proponents replied that the development complies with all city zoning requirements, adding “We are not asking for any variances or deviations.”
Michael Winn gave a presentation calling for formation of a new town council, claiming it could be formed by year’s end, serve all the community’s diverse interests and provide greater collective clout.
LJPB board members concurred the idea has merit, but questioned whether it was PCPB’s place to back such an effort. They also expressed concern that any new town council might overlap and/or conflict with the work of other civic groups, like the Point Loma Association.