Concerns have been raised over the future site of a Naval commercial vehicle inspection station along the west side of Catalina Boulevard across from Rosecroft and Trudy lanes.
According to Capt. Mark D. Patton, commanding officer of the Naval Base Point Loma, the purpose of the site is to inspect any type of commercial vehicle that enters the base. He said vehicles that have security passes to drive on and off the base regularly and visitors will not be required to stop at the station.
“Most of these aren’t [semitrucks],” Patton said. “It’s the FedEx guy or the bread guy going to the Exchange and that kind of stuff.”
Patton said vehicles will be checked at the station for a valid invoice and reason for entering the base, as well as undergo a cursory inspection of cargo.
“It’s standard procedure on any military base, as it is on most commercial institutions, to also inspect for anything that’s a threat to the facility,” Patton said. “Some people are saying this is a bomb inspection station; it’s really a commercial vehicle inspection station.”
According to Patton, the Department of Defense changed its policy to require the consolidation of inspection stations into a single site for commercial vehicles. Patton said he sees the advantages.
“If you’re [inspecting trucks] where you enter the base, you tend to congest traffic and also you’re quite often having to bring the vehicle onto the base before you’ve even inspected it.”
Nearby residents said their concerns stemmed from untimely notification. A sign was placed on the fence at the proposed site in October that served as the sole announcement of a meeting on Oct. 23, which was poorly attended.
“I think any kind of environment or any kind of forum that would allow questions to be asked and concerns addressed and understand first hand why its being built would be a lot more helpful,” said resident Steven Bluhm. “I don’t think the community is pounding the table saying this shouldn’t happen. I think what we’re saying is let’s look at impact on lifestyle in the neighborhood and the safety of residents, pedestrians, bicyclists, people who go up and down Catalina and live in the neighborhoods.”
Patton contends that the sign posting was the best method of notifying the pubic.
“We put this sign up with several months [before construction], knowing that eventually enough people would see it and they’d know what is going on,” Patton said. “I actually think it’s a more effective way of getting the word out than just holding a public meeting at the library or something “” it’s often very difficult to advertise.”
Among the questions raised about the plans is the impact on traffic and pedestrian access along Catalina Boulevard.
“The plan eliminates the sidewalk along Catalina up into the National Recreation Area,” Bluhm said. “The pedestrian flow will be interrupted and eliminated [and] the bike path lane will be eliminated. The trucks have to sit and wait and idle while they wait to be taken into inspection.”
However, Patton assured that the bike lane and sidewalk will remain, though driveways will be cut out to access the station. He added that inspection station traffic will not be significant.
“This road sees over 1,000 vehicles an hour and we’re looking at anywhere between five to 10 commercial vehicles an hour utilizing this station,” Patton said. “It literally is a drop in the bucket.”
Another small meeting, organized by residents at the home of John Sands, was attended by representatives from the Navy, District 2 Councilman Kevin Faulconer’s office and Rep. Susan Davis’ office on Sunday, Nov. 5. At that time, Sands presented ideas for alternative locations and addressed concerns that the placement of the station is too close to homes in the event of a bomb blast.
But Patton insists that the current location is the best site.
“From our review of the study, this is the most logical place to put this facility,” Patton said.
Additionally, the proposed station is on Navy property, which means it does not require a public process, according to Patton.
“It’s property that we’re fully authorized to use for whatever purpose,” he said. “However, everything we do here we try to make sure that we fully involve the community because we didn’t want this to be a surprise.”
Still, many residents would like to hear more from the Navy on this project and Patton said the Navy will go back to the drawing board to address the concerns.
“It’s a challenge, it always involved compromise,” Patton said. “I have no interest in going forward on this without at least fully understanding all of our neighbors concerns and trying to address them as best as possible.”
The Navy plans to begin construction in January and complete the station within three to four months.
Patton will meet with select community members Wednesday, Nov. 15, to hear out the three alternative sites located along Catalina Boulevard and Cabrillo Memorial Drive that Sands has proposed.
“We are hopeful that the meeting will be positive and fruitful,” Sands said.
If not, he added, residents are prepared to take legal action should the truck station reduce nearby property values.