Award presentations started off the City Council meeting beginning with one designating May as National Bike Month. Wednesday, May 9 is National Bike to School Day and Thursday, May 17 is Regional Bike to Work Day. There are more than 1,340 miles of bikeways in the San Diego region and an average temperature of 71 degrees, making it one of the best places in the country to go by bike. The Sixth Annual Mayor’s Ride will be held on Saturday, May 12 at 12:30 p.m., which is being organized by the City of Coronado’s Bicycle Advisory Committee.
Morgan Miller of the Bicycle Advisory Committee pointed out that their focus is on safety with the Bayshore Bikeway as an example, maps for surrey rental bikes, they also work with the transportation committee to increase bike parking and security, and promote registering bikes in schools.
Allie Scrivener, City of Coronado Active Transportation Planner pointed out highlights of Bike Month, including pit stops on Bike to Work Day at City Hall, the Ferry Landing, and North Island. There will be a Bike-in Movie presentation of “Wizard of Oz” at Tidelands Park on May 18, with pre-festivities beginning at 6:30 p.m. and the movie starting at 8 p.m., and the Coronado Island Film Festival will feature “Breaking Away,” a bike-themed movie, on May 30, at the Village Theatre.
Mayor Bailey proclaimed May as Historic Preservation Month, which is co-sponsored by the City of Coronado, the Coronado Historical Association, Coronado MainStreet Ltd., and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. He presented the certificate to Robin MacCartee, executive director, Coronado Historical Association and Rita Sarich, Coronado Main Street.
The City is committed to Historic Preservation Programs with over 200 historic resources already designated. Bronze plaques were given for each new historic resource including the Duncan Family at 476 A Avenue; the Vickers Family at 946 Adella Avenue; the MacLeod Family at 548 Marina Avenue and in absentia, the McPartlin Family at 344 J Avenue.
Special Olympics of Southern California honored Police Chief Jon Froomin with the Chiefs Award of Excellence. He is retiring in July and will be honored at a May 9 reception for his 16 years of contributions through fundraising, volunteering at sporting competitions and serving on the San Diego Leadership Council for Special Olympics.
The majority of the Council Meeting was spent on the Planning Commission and Staff recommendations regarding building basements in Coronado. This topic was raised because of issues during the construction of the basement at 900 Balboa Avenue. The City Planning Commission held a public hearing on April 10 to present information and solicit feedback. It was noted that the water table is higher in the Country Club area than in the Village. There are currently about 12 basements being built each year in Coronado.
Many community members spoke with recommendations and personal experiences. After much debate between council members, Councilmember Downey made the motion to approve the staff’s recommendations, which were modifications to the City’s construction permit process to improve the noticing, submittal and monitoring requirements. Recommendations included concurrent submission of technical plans and documents, and posting project information visibly on construction sites. Staff also recommended a Basement Data Information Report be completed in one year. Councilmember Donovan strongly advocated for a shorter review process, and also for a noise restriction on pumps and other equipment after working hours, in consideration of neighbors.
Councilmember Downey added additional stipulations to her motion, which included three-foot setbacks for any construction that intrudes into the water table, which is the same as the current standard for building pools. She also wanted the requirement of subsidence insurance, which covers property if land underneath a building subsides or collapses. The third addition was a staff report regarding implications of including underground habitable space in the FAR calculations. With these additions, the motion passed unanimously.
On other smaller issues:
- Councilmember Sandke noted that the city has recouped $346 in fines from the dockless bikes and there are still 19 of the green bikes remaining at the city yard.
- After a presentation by Tricia Olsen, associate planner for the Historic Resource Commission (HRC), and council discussion, a setback variance was allowed on 909 J Avenue.
- A “State of the City Address” for the community was approved for May 24 at the High School Performing Art Center. This is done in other cities, but will be a first for Coronado.
