The Mission Bay Park Planning Committee (MBPC) decided by a 6-2 vote Dec. 7 to allow area paddlers — including outriggers, dragon boats and stand up paddlers — to have a facility and use nearly an acre inside of the 90 acres set aside for off-leash dog use, to the dismay of the nonprofit Fiesta Island Dog Owners (FIDO). “We’re very happy and grateful,” said Les Hopper, U.S.A. dragon boat coach. The vote decisively approves the current Fiesta Island Redevelopment Plan and sends it on to the San Diego Park and Recreation Board for consideration. “We just want to make sure that we are part of the plan,” Hopper said. However, the plan is not expected to appear on the Park and Recreation Board’s agenda for approximately 8 to 12 months, said Scott Reese, assistant director of the San Diego Park and Recreation Department. Final approval of the plans will be decided by the San Diego City Council. “We expect it to be developed over 30 to 50 years,” Reese said. He compared the long-term development of Fiesta Island to that of Balboa Park. The decision is viewed as a relief for paddlers who emphasize that 94 acres should not be reserved for one group. However, FIDO members insist that the dynamic of their group underscores the argument that the off-leash dog area currently on Fiesta Island serves a multi-use audience. A Dec. 6 memorandum from San Diego City Council President Pro Tem Kevin Faulconer and Councilwomen Donna Frye and Lorie Zapf supported the endeavors of FIDO and the South Shores area of the island “as an appropriate location for the paddling community.” However, members of the Mission Bay Planning Committee did not agree. The South Shores area of the island is one of the most polluted areas in Mission Bay, Hopper said. The well-attended meeting at the Marina Village Captain’s Room, 1936 Quivira Way, heard an onslaught of emotional comments and outbursts from the audience. FIDO’s position is that it does not want a road leading to the location of the paddling facility to bisect the off-leash area, said Alise Shatoff, spokeswoman for FIDO. The road creates a possible hazard to dogs in the off-leash area set aside for dogs on Fiesta Island, she said. The vote disappointed FIDO supporters, who will continue to fight for unobstructed off-leash acreage in the plan, said Dr. Jean Spengel.