Voters flocked to Forum Hall above Wells Fargo Bank on Tuesday, March 14 to determine who would chair the University Community Planning Group (UCPG) for the next three years. Incumbent Linda Colley narrowly won with 816 votes; opponent Dana May received 675 votes.
Fifty-seven percent of the UCPG membership for Area 1 ” the seat the chair holds ” voted. People snaked around the building and 1,491 votes were cast. It was the largest turnout ever for a San Diego community planning group, Colley said.
While Colley emphasized that she is not “a one-trick pony,” proposals to build the Regents Road Bridge across Rose Canyon or widen Genesee Avenue divided the candidates ” and voters. Colley opposes both options for alleviating traffic congestion, while May strongly supports the bridge.
“I’m officially against both projects, but I’ve also said that I will not make the final decision until that environmental impact report (EIR) comes out; I’ve only seen the draft EIR,” Colley said.
Colley pointed to larger issues facing University City and said her greatest complaint is that the community does not receive all the information it needs from the city.
The EIR for the North/South Transportation Corridor, which includes the Regents Road Bridge option and Genesee Avenue Widening Alternative, is expected to be released this April, five months past its deadline. More than $2 million has been spent on the EIR so far, according to Colley.
UCPG also unanimously approved upsizing the 55-year-old Miramar Trunk Sewer pipe in Rose Canyon to increase capacity and prevent future sewer spills. The current 15-inch pipe will be replaced with 21-inch pipe for 5,456 feet of the sewer main, east of interstate 805.
“Last year was a nightmare,” said Michelle Abella-Shon, spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Wastewater Department (MWWD), adding that the department had to send someone to stand by the pumps each time it rained.
MWWD will either dig out the old pipe or replace it from manhole to manhole. The latter option will have less impact on the environment, but given the city’s financial situation, MWWD will opt for the least costly method.
Digging out the pipe is expected to cost approximately $3.2 million, whereas the trench-less method will cost approximately $3.5 million. MWWD will decide on the method after receiving bids. MWWD will mitigate any damage to the area.
In other business:
“¢ Torrey Pines Golf Course will come before UCPG once more, since the board felt it approved the clubhouse in December 2005 with no input from the public. The group may not have as much say over the matter as it desires, as the structure for the clubhouse was approved in February, said Dan Monroe, representative for the planning department.
“¢ UCPG approved increasing the inflation rate for the North UC Facilities Benefit Assessment (FBA) to reflect escalating construction costs. The inflation rate for Fiscal Years 2008 and 2009 is proposed to increase from 7 percent to 12 percent. The FBA determines how much each developer will pay in fees to offset infrastructure costs. Residential development typically pays for parks, while non-residential development often goes towards improving roads.
“¢ The 25th annual Congressional Art Competition invites high school students throughout the 53rd Congressional District to submit artwork. The winning student’s entry will be displayed in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capital Building for one year. Deadline for submission is Friday, May 12. Call (619) 280-5353 or visit www.house.gov/susandavis.
UCPG meets the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m., at Forum Hall above the Wells Fargo Bank, 4315 La Jolla Village Drive.