Changes are in the works for the gliderport atop the Torrey Pines mesa where gliders soar on updrafts and surfers amble down the cliff on a steep, trodden path to the beach. A city advisory board finalized a draft general development plan for the park Feb. 18 — a blueprint that calls for paved parking, a staircase leading to the beach and the restoration of 18 acres with native vegetation. The Torrey Pines City Park Advisory Board’s intent was to preserve the soaring site and park without overdeveloping it. “I think what we’ve agreed to, as a compromise, is to improve the site without junking it up,” said Doug Williamson who served on the advisory board as a representative of the University Community Planning Group. “Some of the folks seem to want to have a lot of stuff put out there … We wanted a more minimalist approach.” The city has not identified any money to implement the plan, however, which now goes through an environmental review, public comment and then on to the City Council for approval. “My hope would be that funding is coming to implement the plan and to continue the process, rather than letting it die at this point,” said Mary Coakley, who served on the advisory board. The draft plan calls for building an asphalt parking lot to hold the same number of cars — 565 — as the current dirt parking lot does, but in a more confined area. Consultants suggest using asphalt containing tree resin for a warmer-colored surface to blend with the color of the soil. The flight operations building will be scrapped for a similar-size building to be located further away from the cliff. Interpretive signs will detail the historical and environmental significance of the site where the Kumeyaay Native American people once lived, and where Camp Callan was situated during World War II. No museum building will be constructed. The draft plan recommends planting 18 acres with native grasses, installing picnic tables and building two observation decks on the cliff top compliant with the American Disabilities Act. No water, sewer or electricity would be available at the site. The city commissioned the advisory group to create a general plan for the area — called the Torrey Pines City Park — as part of a settlement agreement in a 2007 lawsuit. The Coastal Law Enforcement Action Network (CLEAN) sued the city in 2006, claiming the lessee — Air California Adventure, LLC — had violated the California Coastal Act when it set up a trailer onsite, built an addition onto the building, planted non-native vegetation and set up irrigation without obtaining permits. The city will now begin an environmental review for the draft plan for a mitigated negative declaration, which indicates no significant environmental impacts will occur. The UCPG, however, called on the city March 9 to send the draft plan through a full environmental impact report (EIR). “The magnitude and beauty of this park should warrant a full EIR,” said Debby Knight, president of Friends of Rose Canyon. “This is a plan for the next 50 to 100 years. The public would get more information [through an EIR].” The public will be able to comment on the draft in August. The City Council is expected to discuss the plan in November. The advisory board had been forming the blueprint for the past nine months, affording input from gliding club representatives, Park and Recreation staff, a Sierra Club representative and a member of the University Community Planning Group. Read the draft plan: Do a Google search for “Torrey Pines City Park General Development Plan” to view the draft document and learn more about the advisory committee.