Now that the De Anza Cove lawsuit has finally been settled and mobile home owners will be moving out, the question now becomes, what’s to become of that real estate?
Pacific Beach planners have distinct ideas about what they’d like to see with the process involving an evolving plan determining how the site will be redeveloped.
“Now that the lawsuit has settled, the Pacific Beach Planning Group (PBPG) is getting in front of the planning for the De Anza Cove,” said planning group chair Brian Curry. “We have met with city planners and council district representatives and the first item to address is funding.”
Curry said initial planning for redevelopment of the De Anza Cove site would involve District 2 Councilwoman Lorie Zapf asking the city to fund a three-year process: -Year 1, project start-up/public outreach; -Year 2, public outreach/start environmental impact report (EIR); and -Year 3, submit EIR to Development Services Department (DSD)/Project Adoption. “We intend to lead rather than follow the City through planning,” said Curry, adding, “We are strongly encouraging the City to accelerate the process given the De Anza property is a one-of-a-kind public property. Our planning efforts will focus on ‘public’ use. This is ‘our’ property for the enjoyment of the public.”
PBPG colleague Scott Chipman agreed that fast-forwarding planning as much as possible is critical for this prime piece of property.
Chipman noted the De Anza peninsula is designated as a “special study area” within the Mission Bay Master Plan, which is being updated.
“Now that special study can start,” he said, adding what the planning group and community members are saying is, “Don’t just look at the peninsula. Let’s look at the entire corner of Mission Bay Park and plan it as all one recreational, educational and environmental component to the Bay.”
The Mission Bay Gateway project seeks to connect and enhance existing facilities while also expanding and protecting the Mission Bay marshlands and bird sanctuaries. Bike paths and parks will be extended and new amenities like pools, sports fields, and a restaurant will be added for the community and visitors to enjoy. The intended result will be an environmental, recreational and educational destination at the heart of Mission Bay.
“I am excited about the Mission Bay Gateway project and continuing the effort to implement the Mission Bay Master Plan,” said District 2 Councilwoman Lorie Zapf. “By expanding the wetlands and further restoring Rose Creek, we will increase the wildlife sanctuary and improve the water quality in Mission Bay.”
Zapf added that San Diegans are “looking forward to the increase in recreational opportunities, park land, bike paths and more walk ways. The youth of the community will enjoy the improvements to the sporting facilities and will benefit from the environmental education experiences.”
Chipman believes the city is guilty of an “overabundance of caution” regarding planning for De Anza peninsula. He noted that the one thing that was certain in the longtime lawsuit between mobile home owners and the city was that “they (residents) weren’t staying permanently.”
“So why not start the planning?” asked Chipman, adding, “We’ve got to move this process forward as quickly as possible.”