Daron Case, aka Captain of the Cays, is Coronado’s first-ever registered write-in candidate for City Council, which means his name will not appear on the ballot, but if you write in his name, your vote will be counted. Daron is a man of many hats, including an attorney, commercial real estate broker, and ocean photographer, with an office and art gallery in the Cays.
How did Coronado become your home?
I grew up both in town and in the Cays – I attended Silver Strand Elementary, Coronado Middle School and graduated from Coronado High class of 1990. My children are fourth generation Coronado residents.
What makes you a good City Council candidate?
I have a multi-generational understanding of the problems facing Coronado, and the creative solutions needed to get us back on track. I am proactive and I know what it means to act in the best interests of the residents. I want to save the residential feel and character of our town.
What other community involvement have you had?
I’m the founder of Coronado Residents Against Poop and an attorney with Citizens Against Sewage – non-government organizations (NGOs) working overtime on solutions to our international sewage crisis. I’m a member of Coronado Cays Yacht Club CCYC and the Coronado Historical Association CHA. I am also proud to work with the Silver Strand Beautification Project and as a Friend of the Silver Strand. My wife Vanessa founded MOMS Club Coronado which is a wonderful civic organization in town offering support to stay-at-home moms.
Please give your perspective on:
Beach Sewage Issues
The only tangible progress we have seen with the trans-border sewage crisis has resulted in litigation pressure – these results include infrastructure improvements on the Mexico side of the border that have thus far put an end to dry weather sewage spills. The main threat at this time is the Punta Bandera outfall five miles south of the border that sends 20+ million gallons of sewage contaminated effluent into the ocean every day. I would like to see Coronado join Imperial Beach in the sewage lawsuit against the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) to create a united front and solidarity in the South Bay. Imperial Beach is pursuing both litigation and a diplomatic approach. Imperial Beach (IB) elected officials attend stakeholder meetings with federal officials, and IB is lobbying the federal governments of both the United States and Mexico. I would like to see Coronado contribute financially to IB’s lobbying efforts south of the border. Click HERE for my thoughts on Coronado’s current “diplomatic approach.”
Residential Overdevelopment
Coronado has exceeded the capacity its infrastructure was designed for. Coronado’s General Plan states that Coronado is “built out.” Development and overdevelopment are two different things. I would like to update our General Plan with ways to stop overdevelopment. I would like to reassess floor area ratio (FAR). I would also like to see basement construction included within FAR. The state allows cities to adopt legislation for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) restricting their maximum size as low as 150 square feet which is the size of an efficiency apartment. The City Council voted against a staff recommendation of 500 square foot maximum ADU size in favor of 800 square foot maximum ADU size. I would like to see a smaller maximum ADU size in Coronado.
Commercial Property & The City’s Role
The Orange Avenue Corridor Specific Plan should be enforced, and can be amended as necessary to protect a village environment. In the last year, we have lost several local long-term businesses including Island Surf, El Cordova Garage, and Costa Azul, and Bay Books may be next on the chopping block. There are ways the city can help local long-term businesses, if the council elects to do so. I am in favor of examining ways the city can assist local long term businesses that offer a unique product or service and cater predominately to locals.
Traffic Issues
In 2016, as a citizen activist I worked with the City Council, Caltrans and the Navy to fix the morning traffic backups on the Silver Strand, by utilizing certified traffic guards until adaptive signals were installed. The annual average daily traffic counts in Coronado are approximately 100,000 cars per day (50,000 in, and 50,000 out), which is too high. I would closely evaluate the project study report (PSR) for Relinquishment of SR-75 and SR-282 from Caltrans, and make a decision in the best interest of residents. Similar to the Relinquishment PSR, I would also ask for free information from Sacramento regarding what it would entail to implement a toll on the bridge (and possibly on the Silver Strand) – utilizing a “congestion pricing” model to reduce traffic.
Social Media Participation current and as Council Member
I founded a Facebook group called Coronado Electorate that addresses local civic topics and functions as a think tank for solutions. I believe the Brown Act is not up to speed for the digital age. I fully support active engagement by elected officials with their constituents utilizing social media.
What is your platform?
If elected, I would promptly agendize items including solutions for trans-border sewage, reassessing floor area ratio, ways to calm and reduce traffic, and ways to address density and overdevelopment.
Why should people vote for you?
The elements that make a good councilmember in Coronado include (1) understanding the problems and issues facing the town, (2) identifying solutions, (3) being proactive to implement solutions, and (4) having the proper residents first mindset. I bring these attributes to the table and would be proactive to address solutions to problems head on.
What old ideas do you support?
There have been some citizens’ initiatives that I would like to see reintroduced in revised formats – including 2006’s Prop J that sought to restrict lot splitting on R-1B lots, and 2008’s Prop A that required voter approval for construction of any permanent structures on the beach, including lifeguard towers, beach bike paths, or restroom facilities, etc. Reducing floor area ratio is another old idea that I support.
What new ideas do you have?
I have many ideas on the sewage crisis, including creating a sewage working group that can assume a “diplomatic role”; congestion pricing on the bridge and Silver Strand; ways to amend the General Plan to restrict overdevelopment; and ways to save eligible local long-term businesses from going extinct. Tapping the San Diego Formation aquifer that underlies the golf course for irrigation water in lieu of the proposed $20 million recycled wastewater treatment plant to convert sewage to purple pipe water.
What is your favorite hobby
I enjoy surfing with the Cays Surf Crew.
