Getting little traction in its attempt to halt city-issued variances that allow property owners to build homes larger than prescribed by local zoning, the Ocean Beach Planning Board (OBPB) has decided to it’s time to enlist the aid of a potential ally. The OBPB has scheduled a discussion about how to engage the Community Planning Committee (CPC), a larger group of citywide citizen planners of which the OBPB is a member. The OBPB will meet Feb. 1 at 6 p.m. at the Ocean Beach Recreation Center, 4726 Santa Monica Ave. Like the OBPB, the CPC has only an advisory role to the San Diego City Council on land-use and quality-of-life issues. But there are sympathetic members at the CPC, and adding that group’s clout could be important strategy, said Landry Watson, the OBPB’s vice chair. Sparking the debate is the city’s issuance of three variances to property owners on the west side of the 5100 block of West Point Loma Boulevard, immediately south of the entrance to the Dog Beach parking lot. In each case, the city ruled that because the lot sizes are substandard, a larger percentage of the structure could be allocated for living quarters. In addition, the owners could build open car ports instead of garages. The designs have been upheld by a San Diego hearing officer, the San Diego Planning Commission and the California Coastal Commission. City Attorney Jan Goldsmith last month, at the request of District 2 City Councilman Kevin Faulconer, also issued a statement vouching for their legality. But the OBPB maintains the variances are inconsistent with city code and that development can take place without them.

In other OBPB-related news: • Faulconer said he is excited about his newest assignment at City Hall: a group that could help create jobs in San Diego. Faulconer is a member of the Committee on Economic Development and Strategies, a newly created group that meets for the first time Jan. 30, according to Faulconer aide Michael Patton. Faulconer will continue serving on the council’s Audit Committee and Rules Committee but will leave the Land Use and Housing Committee, Patton said. • A ribbon-cutting ceremony has been tentatively scheduled for the Ocean Beach Entryway on Jan. 20 at 10 a.m., Patton said. • Gibran Maciel, aide to District 76 state Assemblywoman Toni Atkins, introduced himself to OBPB members. He can be reached at [email protected], or by calling (619) 645-3090. • Next month could be important for anyone who’s thought about serving on the OBPB. Annual elections take place in March, so the monthly February meeting represents the last chance for hopefuls to meet a requirement that candidates attend at least one meeting in the year prior to elections. More candidate requirements and information are available at www.oceanbeachpb.com. • Nearly 90 disadvantaged local families benefited from the generosity of residents who contributed to the Ocean Beach Town Council’s annual Food and Toy Drive this past holiday season, said Watson, who also serves on that Town Council’s board of directors. The proceeds were generated by a whole slew of Town Council-sponsored events during the year, like the restaurant walk, pancake breakfast, craft fairs, auction, parade, T-shirt sales and canned food drive, Watson said.