City Council Meeting, May 2, 2017
San Diego County Regional Airport Authority (SDCRAA) may have snookered the City of Coronado. The agency had assured city officials and community leaders that it would develop an Airport Land Use Comparability Plan (ALUCP) for Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI) that complied with the Navy’s 2011 Air Installation Compatible Use Zones (AICUZ) and that would not adversely impact property or city zoning laws.
“The new rules will only apply to new development,” Manager of Airport Planning Angie Jamison assured everyone at a workshop held in March of 2016.
“An owner can do pretty much whatever he wants to with his property as long as it complies with local zoning laws and the use of property doesn’t change,” she said.
Instead, the agency produced a draft ALUCP that would require the city to apply rigid safety and noise standards for structures adjacent to the North Island landing strip. For example, it would require houses along Ocean Boulevard to be retrofitted for noise abatement. All of the business in the flight path would be out of compliance and thus might not be able to continue, the Hotel Del included.
The city contends the proposed plan “undermines the the economic viability of our community and detrimentally affects private property rights.”
At its meeting on Tuesday, the city council voted unanimously to “communicate its frustrations to the SDCRAA’s board of directors.”
In letter to the agency’s board of directors, Mayor Richard Bailey wrote:
“The current draft ALUCP does not reflect Coronado’s goals and interests nor does it include the invaluable input provided by city staff and stakeholders.”
City staff, and members of an ad hoc working group that includes community and business leaders, participated in the process with the understanding that their views would help shape the ALUCP. In the end their voices were ignored.
In the letter, Bailey also questioned SDCRAA’s authority to dictate land use policy.
“Questions have been raised whether the preparation of the NASNI ALUCP is in fact mandated. If mandated, it has been suggested that the outcome is predetermined and exceeds SDCRAA’s limited jurisdiction.”
Although it sharply rebukes the agency, the mayor’s letter express hope that the city and airport authority can resolve their differences and develop an plan the city could support.
“We continue to value the merit of joint planning. We ask that you provide SDCRAA staff direction to change the course of the planning process to address our concerns.”
Other council actions:
- Approved a pilot public art project, “Sit a Spell and Play A Tune.” A piano wrapped with iconic images of Coronado will be placed in Rotary Park and other selected locations around town. Anyone who fancies themselves a musician can take a seat. The concept has been adopted in cities around the world,” said Jeff Tyler, chair of the cultural arts commission. Fire chief Mike Blood donated the piano. The cost of the first year was covered by a $2,500 donation in memory of Jim and Barbara Darnell; Barbara taught piano in Coronado for many years.
- Announced its intention to issue tax-exempt bonds to help pay for a proposed wastewater treatment plant on the golf course.The bond request was routine. No one on the council nor the public commented on it. The vote was to comply with IRS rules, not to seek the bonds outright. “We want as many options as possible,” City Manager Blair King said. The vote was 5-0.
- Approved funds for a Resident Satisfaction Survey that includes questions specifically targeted to Coronado and ones that have been asked in previous years. The vote was 3-2. Bailey and City Councilman Mike Donovan wanted a customized survey that would elicit more details on issues residents were concerned about.
- Approved a request from Councilman Bill Sandke that the city formally ask Caltrans to treat the San Diego-Coronado Bridge as a vital seven day a week transportation asset. Sandke’s proposal will be discussed at a future council meeting.
- Postponed a discussion of the city’s mobile phone policy.
