Comment period closing for townhomes project
Peninsula residents have until April 24 to comment on the Point Loma Townhomes project planned for construction at 1275 Scott St. near Shelter Island. The project includes 47 townhomes on the 1.65-acre site.
Written comments must be sent to Allison Sherwood, Environmental Planner, City of San Diego Development Services Center, 1222 First Avenue, MS 501, San Diego, 92101. E-mailed comments may be submitted to [email protected].
The project site lies between Carlton and Dickens streets to the north and south, respectively. Scott Street borders the site to the west, with the old Kettenburg Boatyard adjacent to the property.
The project stirred up debate on the Peninsula over density and redevelopment, according to Christy Schisler, a Point Loma resident since 1982 who has been opposed to the project since before August.
Some marine industry business operators opposed to the project said the change in use of the area from marine industry to residential/commercial endangers the water-dependent industry around the harbor.
“It’s taking land designated for use for marine industry use, and taking it for the sole benefit of the of 47 residents,” Schisler said.
She said the project is too big and doesn’t fit with the character of the area.
But local boatyard business owners in favor of the project said it might improve the area and attract more boat business.
The city’s assessment states that project applicant Rand Wassem, of Prism Investments Inc., and project managers haven taken the appropriate steps to protect public health and safety.
According to an environmental analysis of the project from the city, “the proposed mixed-use development would not create any long-term [environmental] impacts.”
At previous Peninsula Community Planning Board meetings, Wassem also addressed concerns such increased density and traffic.
The Peninsula Community Planning Board approved the project at a February meeting.
Benefit slated for family
of missing local woman
A benefit car wash is planned for Saturday, April 19 to help the family of missing Point Loma mother Rosa Lisowski, 48.
According to police investigators, there are still no solid suspects linked to the disappearance of Lisowski, who vanished after walking the family’s 6-year-old to Barnard Elementary School on Monday, March 24.
Heather Peterson, a friend and confidant of Lisowski, said the Genie Car Wash, located at 3949 W. Point Loma Blvd., has agreed to donate $5 for each car passing through the car wash that day from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
According to Peterson, funds raised will go to help the family’s eldest son, Raphael, raise his younger siblings, ages 6 and 4.
“The family has never owned a car and now that these children are without a mother,” Peterson said. “[He] is now the caretaker of his two younger brothers.
“Rafael is a straight-A student who has missed out on sports and activities growing up due to financial reasons,” she said. “He had always helped his mother with the children. He does not drink or do drugs, attends college and deserves some help from the community.”
For more information, call (619) 981-2190.
Mayor to hold town hall forum on 2009 budget
Mayor Jerry Sanders is coming to San Diego Council District 2 to hold a town hall meeting to discuss and answer questions from the community about the fiscal year 2009 budget.
The meeting will be held at the Pacific Beach Library, 4275 Cass St., Tuesday, April 22, from 6 to 7 p.m.
The meeting is the fourth of eight town hall meetings organized in each council district to give residents the chance to question Sanders and his staff about the city’s budget.
For information contact Ron Lacey with the mayor’s office at (619) 236-7168 or email [email protected].
Student leads multi-school food drive this Friday
On Friday, April 18, local students from Private-Charter United, a group of six area high schools, will do their part to address the issue of hunger in the San Diego community. The group will be holding a food drive to benefit the San Diego Food Bank, according to organizers.
Private-Charter United is made up of Francis Parker, Bishop’s, Horizon, High Tech High, High Tech High International and High Tech High Media Arts. At each of these schools on Friday, students will collect canned goods and nonperishable food items. The goal of the drive is to collect more than 2,000 pounds of food, which is equivalent to 600 meals.
Tara Reed, an 11th-grader at Francis Parker, has been organizing the event.
For more information, e-mail Reed at [email protected].