Public feedback sought on airport’s draft EIR
Residents are being encouraged to review and give feedback to the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority’s recently released draft environmental impact report for the Airport Master Plan.
The Airport Authority will host the first of a series of public meetings beginning Thursday, Oct. 18, from noon to 8 p.m. at the Corky McMillin Center at Liberty Station, 2875 Dewey Road, according to Sharie Shipley, public relations representative for the San Diego Regional Airport Authority.
The forum will feature a PowerPoint presentation on the master plan at 6 p.m. For more information on future meetings, visit www.sanplan.com.
“We’re encouraging people to attend for open comment on the EIR and get questions answered,” said Shipley.
The public review and comment period began Oct. 2. Comments regarding the adequacy of the draft EIR should be postmarked to the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, P.O. Box 82776, San Diego, Ca., 92138-2776 by Thursday, Nov, 29.
Delivered or faxed comments must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 30.
Comments can also e-mailed to the Airport Authority at [email protected], according to a public notice released by the Airport Authority.
Restrictions apply, however, to e-mailed responses. E-mailed responses less than 2,000 words and without e-mail attachments must be received by Friday, Nov. 30, at 5 p.m. Comments with more than 2,000 words or which are accompanied by attachments must be delivered in writing.
Comments can also be filed through www.sanplan.com, Shipley said. The comments received through the website would be compiled and presented to the board at future meetings, she said.
The release of the draft EIR coincides with another airport development which would directly affect the Airport Authority’s planning operations. The signature by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on Senate Bill 10 on October 5, a bill authored by Sen. Christine Kehoe, calls for the completion of a Regional Strategic Plan (RASP) by June 2011.
The bill also requires the San Diego Association of Governments to adopt a plan to improve transportation in and around the Lindbergh Field and the 15 additional airports in the county, according to a statement released by the Airport Authority.
Casino Night gives folks a chance to roll dice
The Ocean Beach community gambled their hearts and fake money away in the name of fun in support of the Ocean Beach Town Council during the Oct. 6 Casino Night fund-raiser.
Organized by members of the OB Town Council’s Board of Directors, the event brought residents and supporters together for a night of games hosted by Casino Magic and a light dinner catered by Souplantation.
Although the event didn’t meet the expectations in terms of revenue for the council’s coffers, the event went without a hitch, according to Nancy Vaughn, board member and a principal organizer.
“We were a little disappointed with the turnout and we may not have raised a lot [of money], but we had a great time and we’ll hope for better next year,” Vaughn said.
Vaughn said exact funds have yet to be totaled and should be available by the next meeting.
The Ocean Beach Town Council holds its monthly meetings every fourth Wednesday of the month excluding November and December.
For more information, visit www.obtowncouncil.org.
Coastal Cleanup Day will be massive undertaking
Volunteers from Prudential California Realty will team with the Surfrider Foundation on Saturday, Oct. 13 for a massive, 350-mile-long Coastal Cleanup Day that will include Ocean Beach and La Jolla.
The event is part of a major cleanup of the California coastline that organizers are saying “is one of unmatched magnitude.”
The cleanup, which runs from 9 a.m. to noon, focuses on eight beach and coastal areas, including Torrey Pines State Beach and Dog Beach in Ocean Beach.
“Our cleanup efforts, in concert with the Surfrider Foundation, help us give back to the communities in which we live, work and play,” said Steve Rodgers, president and CEO of Prudential California Realty.
“We believe providing an environmentally responsible example now and for the next generation is of the essence,” he said.
To volunteer for the event, participants are asked to visit www.prudentialcal.com or www.surfrider.com.
Housing Federation slated Friday at university
The San Diego Housing Federation’s 16th annual Affordable Housing and Community Development Conference is set to take place on the main campus of Point Loma Nazarene University on Friday, Oct. 12.
The conference, themed “It’s Easy Being Green,” takes place from 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. at 3900 Lomaland Drive.
The keynote speaker for the event will be Kimberly Vermeer, founder and principal of Urban Habitat Initiatives. Vermeer boasts 20 years of experience in housing, finance, policy and development in the practice of greening multifamily housing.
Registration is ongoing by calling (619) 239-6693, or by visiting www.housingsandiego.org. A full program is available on the website.