The Torrey Pines Road landscaped medians were first completed in 1996 to enhance the surroundings on the mesa. Initially maintained by the construction contractor, the medians have since been ignored and have fallen into disrepair. Like so many city projects, the vision was there but the funding mechanism was not.
Home to groundbreaking scientific research, medical, biotech and tourism companies, the Torrey Pines Mesa is essential to the economic well-being of the City of San Diego. After hearing from property owners who were disappointed with the poor condition of the main arteries, I volunteered to help set up a plan to clean up the medians located along North Torrey Pines Road. Working with property owners, community members and city staff over the past several months, we came together to create a Maintenance Assessment District (MAD).
In the City of San Diego, a MAD provides enhanced levels of maintenance services in the public right-of-way, such as dead tree removal, turf mowing, litter removal, irrigation and sidewalk steam-cleaning. It is a dedicated funding source that stays in the community, providing regular maintenance without having to compete with the rest of the city for a crew to clean trash or cut grass.
On Aug. 1, I was proud to join my colleagues on the City Council in approving the Genesee Road/North Torrey Pines MAD, 10 years after the completion of landscaped medians on the mesa. You’ll begin to see the benefits of the MAD over the next few months as crews remove overgrown weeds and shrubs and make North Torrey Pines Road shine!
Update on proposed condo project
North University City is a vibrant mixed-use community where people live, work and shop. City planners carefully consider the effect of each project’s height, density and impact on the surrounding community before it is approved. In order to maintain the quality of life in North UC, decisions such as these should be made deliberatively and with all the facts.
The Garden Communities company has proposed changing its current approved plan for the Monte Verde project on the southwest corner of La Jolla Village Drive and Genesee Avenue. This high-profile corner is currently designated as a 400-room hotel with a maximum height of 14 stories. Monte Verde wants to amend its hotel plans to build four high-rise condominium towers between 32 and 35 stories, which would make them the tallest buildings in the Golden Triangle.
An environmental impact report (EIR) process is under way to study the environmental impacts of these proposed changes on the community. The Draft EIR for the Monte Verde project was released several months ago, and the city’s Development Services Department is in the process of responding to comments.
I will not take a position on this project until the environmental review process is complete and all relevant information is finalized. Although the final document is expected to answer many of the concerns posed by community members over the years, I encourage all members of the community to participate in the process and contact me with your input once the final document is released.
I look forward to carefully reviewing the Final EIR and deciding on a strategy for this high-profile site. There will be a number of opportunities for the community to respond publicly to this project. If you are interested in future updates, please e-mail us at [email protected]. I look forward to hearing your input as this process moves forward.
” District 1 City Councilman and Council President Scott Peters contributes a monthly Council Corner column spotlighting City Hall happenings pertinent to the University City community.
