Current Issues 2010

< LAST CALTRANS PUBLIC MEETING FOR I-5 EXPANSION SEPTEMBER 9 : 5-8 PM

posted 08/28/10

< Meetings re Proposed Expansion of I-5 from La Jolla to Oceanside: Thursday,  August 19 and Tuesday, August 24 

posted 08/14/10

AUGUST 19 AND AUGUST 24: Two meetings will be held on the proposed expansion of I-5 from La Jolla to Oceanside.  We are concerned about potential negative impacts on the restored San Dieguito Lagoon with its revitalized bird and fish sanctuaries on both the west and east sides of I-5 at the Via de la Valle/I-5 intersection.  The Friends will be reviewing the Draft EIR that has just been released, and we encourage interested residents to attend the meetings, to participate in the informational sessions (one sponsored by two citizens groups and the other by CalTrans) and to submit your concerns to CalTrans. 

details>>  August 19  August 24

< Andrews  property: CCC decision

posted 08/06/10

The request by the Andrews to amend an Open Space Easement to allow a lot split on property between Gatun St and San Dieguito Dr was DENIED by the California Coastal Commission at its meeting of July 9 2010 . This property is across San Dieguito Dr. from the Old Grand Avenue Bridge Viewpoint.

< Thank you to Councilmember Sherri Lightner

posted 07/31/10

The FSDRV thanks Sherri Lightner for her continued support in a number of vital areas. Click here

< JPA Finances:  City of San Diego properties

posted 07/18/10

The JPA Board has decided not to suspend work on property belonging to the City of San Diego in spite of fiscal problems arising from the city's refusal to pay its annual contribution committed in the 1989 Joint Powers Agreement for the development and management of the San Dieguito River Park trail system. Below is a summary of the benefits San Diego would lose should this suspension need to be instituted.

One of the most recognized benefits to JPA member agencies is the construction,maintenance and patrol of an extensive recreational trail system to benefit citizens. Most of the existing recreational trail system and ongoing projects to expand the system are located within the City of San Diego jurisdiction or on property owned by the City of San Diego.

1. The current River Park trail system is composed of approximately 40 miles of trails.  More than sixty percent or 25 miles of the trail system (primarily Lake Hodges Dam to Bandy Canyon Road/Hwy 78 intersection) is located within the City of San Diego jurisdiction on City-owned property. The following list shows the functions that would be
terminated in that area:

a. Ranger and volunteer trail patrol.

b. Maintenance of trails, erosion control and trash removal. Maintenance of facilities such as bridges, kiosks, fencing, benches and interpretive signs.

c. Provision of five staging areas: Bernardo Bay, Sunset Drive, Highland Valley, Ysabel Creek Road, and Bandy Canyon/Hwy 78 - gates to be closed and locked.

d. Access to the Lake Hodges Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridge – gates to be closed and locked.

e. Four portable toilets at Bernardo Bay, Lake Hodges Bridge, Ysabel Creek Road and Bandy Canyon/78 – removed.

f. Supervision of Boy Scout projects and volunteer work.

g. Coordination with City Planning groups, Police and Fire Departments, San Diego animal and vector control, HOA’s, Federal and State Resource Agencies, City of San Diego leaseholders, and charitable event organizers.

h. Organization of events and activities.

The result of eliminating these functions is expected to be rapid deterioration of the largest continuous part of the currently available Coast to Crest Trail and extensive destruction of natural habitat areas through off-trail mountain bike and vehicle activity. Not least, water
quality would suffer due to lack of patrol for dogs off leash, lack of portable toilet service, overflowing trash receptacles, etc.. Lacking assignment of City of San Diego rangers to the area, public safety will also be diminished.

2. The River Park currently has $2,227,000 of ongoing funded projects located within City of San Diego jurisdiction or on City owned property related to expanding the trail system or habitat restoration:

Canceling these projects would require return of the funds obtained through grants and, in the case of the Salt Marsh Mitigation project, subject the River Park to legal sanctions for failing to mitigate impacts of a constructed project. Additionally, some of the projects are
planned to include ranger labor which provides revenue to the River Park.

< JPA Budget Crisis Update

posted 07/05/10

The San Dieguito River Park Board considered budget alternatives for potential adoption at its June 18th meeting for the new fiscal year that starts July 1st.  To make up the loss of the City of San Diego’s $254,000 in the River Park’s annual budget, the Board considered various alternatives that included layoffs, continued furloughs and/or a range of cuts in employee benefits.  The Board has accepted Executive Director Bobertz' decision to retire effective July 1, 2010, and then continue to serve as Executive Director in a volunteer capacity. In May, the Board had voted to ask the River Park employees to vote on whether they wish to petition to leave the San Diego County Employees Retirement Association. The JPA employees voted unanimously to stay with the County Employees Retirement Association. The budget that the Board approved on June 18th cut the JPA's contribution to the employees share of the retirement cost (the offset) in half, froze the health payment benefits at the current level, eliminated bookkeeping services, eliminated employee mileage reimbursement, restored the half-time Sikes Adobe Museum Manager position, and cut the Environmental Planner position to half-time. Their action included that any undesignated income would be used to restore the Environmental Planner position to former 3/4 time. The adopted budget still has a shortfall, which the Board determined to take as a loan from its reserve fund.

< Greenway

From: Senator Kehoe <Senator.Kehoe@SENATE.CA.GOV>
Date: July 1, 2010 5:34:43 PM PDT
Subject: SB

posted 07/02/10

Dear Supporters of the Del Mar Greenway:

I am deeply disappointed to inform you that my bill to establish a permanent public open space along the San Dieguito River at the Del Mar fairgrounds failed yesterday before the Assembly Agriculture committee. 

After successful hearings in the Senate Natural Resources Committee (5-3), Senate Food & Agriculture Committee (3-1), Senate Appropriations (7-3) and the full Senate (21-13), and in the Assembly Natural Resources Committee (6-3) the bill died. Only Assemblymember Jerry Hill supported the bill.

The committee members agreed with the Fairboard's arguements that the 100-foot minimum buffer would hamper expansion plans. The 22nd District Agricultural Association representatives stated that the fair board’s ability to repay its bonds would be jeopardized if they could not maximize the size of their proposed condo-hotel and conference facilities and exhibit halls.  They added that public safety would be compromised because a southern access road could not be retained if the buffer were required.

This despite a letter from Del Mar City Fire Chief Mark Muir confirming that, “The Del Mar Fire Department provides primary emergency response for fire and other emergencies on a year round basis. We have no difficulty with the proposed 100-foot greenway, knowing that recreational paths or trails can be constructed in a manner that will accommodate and support emergency vehicle access and also comply with local and state fire codes.”  Both the Fire Chief in his letter to the committee and in my testimony we pointed out that there is no approved development plan for the fairgrounds at this time.

SB 1177 was unanimously supported by the city councils of Del Mar, Solana Beach and the City of San Diego and by County Supervisorand Chair of the San Dieguito River Park JPA Pam Slater-Price, by over 20 environmental and community organizations and many individuals. And I thank all of you for your support. 

I will continue to advocate for the protection of the San Dieguito River and public access to this special area. It’s the right thing to do. Thank you for your help on this important issue.  We will continue our work together!

Senator Christine Kehoe

< Andrews property update 6/27/10

posted 06/29/10

The staff of the California Coastal Commission recommends denying the Andrews application for an amendment to their original Coastal Development Permit. (see below) A letter from the Friends is included in their packet. The CCC staff cites the Del Mar Local Coastal program as precluding development of this site. Even if the CCC votes to override and approve the amendment presumably the Planning Commission and the Council could preclude a split on the same grounds.

For more detail see the CCC staff report at 
http://documents.coastal.ca.gov/reports/2010/7/F19b-7-2010.pdf

< Finally Resolved

posted 06/29/10

< Greenway misinformation from fairgrounds CEO

posted 06/25/10

To: Editor, San Diego Union: June 1, 2010

I wish to point out some factual errors in Mr Timothy Fennell’s editorial piece of May 28 entitled “Proposal would cripple Fairgrounds, costing jobs and tax revenue.”

Timing: Senate Bill 1177 proposes the creation of a 100-foot Greenway and trail along the southern edge of the Fairgrounds property. This 100 ft set back is a standard set back required of all upcoming coastal developments by the California Coastal Act and would only be implemented when the Fairgrounds Master Plan itself is implemented. The date of 2014 for implementation was drawn from the Fairgrounds construction time line presented in their 2009 Master Plan. Senator Kehoe has frequently stated that the Greenway timeline could be adjusted; SB 1177 has now been modified to accommodate the Fairgrounds modified timeline, postponing by the implementation of the Fairgrounds Master Plan by 7 to 10 years.

Recycling revenue: seventy one percent of recycling material is generated by the horses and is not processed in the area of the proposed Greenway. The March 9, 2010 Fairgrounds agenda for the Board of Directors’ meeting reported that 8566 tons of recycled material was manure which is generated near the stables and at the Horse Park facility. Moving the recycling center out of the Greenway is a minor project and would not eliminate the recycling program.

Environmental stewardship: the Fairgrounds doesn’t comply with environmental laws as stated by Mr Fennell. In a 2003 decision the Coastal Commission has specifically re-stated it’s position that the Fairgrounds could only use the dirt lots during the Fair and Racing seasons because those lots were wetlands that have been filled. In defiance of this State of California ruling, the Fairgrounds uses these lots for pumpkin and Christmas tree sales, large storage trailers and numerous instances of parking other than during the Fair and Races. Without getting the required permits, the Fairgrounds builds huge advertisements along the freeway in defiance of the federal law which prohibits such advertisement.

Master Plan Greenway. Finally the Master Plan “greenway” as proposed by the Faigrounds for the northern riverbank west of Jimmy Durante Boulevard is in fact a 12-14 high landscaped levee which would deflect flood waters on the city of Del Mar’s public works building and a residential neighborhood. The SB 1177 Greenway would afford an area that would help absorb flood waters rather than concentrating their destructive force on City of Del Mar properties,

If the leadership of the Del Mar Fairgrounds would invest more time considering how they might support California laws, they might not need to waste so much time in self-serving misinformation campaigns.

Jacqueline Winterer, President

< San Dieguito River Valley JPA Finances.

posted 06/23/10

The JPA operating budget has been severely impacted by the failure of the City of San Diego to honor its 1989 agreement to contribute to the cost of maintaining the San Dieguito River Park. Poway, Escondido. Solana Beach, Del Mar and the County of San Diego have all continued support even in difficult fiscal times.

Consequently, at the June18 meeting of the JPA Board emotional and wrenching decisions had to be made in order to assure the continuation of the River Park project. The Board was unanimous in its belief that the park ranger group should be left intact in order to protect both the physical environment and the public users of the trails.

 The retirement benefits of all staff were discussed and after suggestions from the staff and from the board members it was decided to adjust the pension plan rather than have lay-offs or furloughs. One major loss will be the reduction to ½ time of the Environmental Planner, a valuable staff member who, amongst other things, is an important liaison with agencies adjacent to the Park. The position of Sikes Farmstead manager was retained as this project is considered a focus point in the northern part of the park.

The retirement of the Executive Director and his willingness to work on a volunteer basis for two years was key to the successful budget decisions. The Board agreed that this is the first time they have seen such a generous offer. The attorney also offered pro bono services.

Finally the Board agreed to use some of the money in the Endowment to make up any shortfall while hoping that next year will see San Diego once again live up to its commitment.

< FSDRV Letter to Wesley Chesbro

posted 06/23/2010

Wesley Chesbro, Chairman                       
Committee on Natural Resources
California State Assembly
1020 N Street, Room 164
Sacramento, CA 95814

June 19, 2010

Dear Chairman Chesbro,

Friends of the San Dieguito River Valley is an incorporated non-profit organization founded in 1986 as an advocate for the creation of the San Dieguito River Valley. The Friends monitor and inform elected officials, government agencies and the public of projects beneficial to the Park and oppose approval of projects and plans that will adversely affect it, particularly in the western urbanized end of the valley.

I write in support of SB 1177 (Kehoe) Agriculture: 22nd District Agricultural Association (DAA), Greenway Zone as amended on June 1, 2010. SB 1177 will establish a minimum 100-foot wide natural buffer along the north edge of the San Dieguito River on 22nd DAA property, and guarantee permanent public access along the river. The Draft EIR for the 2008 Fairgrounds Master Plan calls for a 10-foot wide path and narrow slope to a driveway behind the condo-hotel and exhibit areas as the only buffer between the river and proposed development.

The amended bill specifies that the minimum 100-foot buffer zone be completed in two phases. Phase one requires the minimum 100-foot wide natural buffer to be completed from I-5 to the Jimmy Durante Blvd. and bridge by 2012. The Coast to Crest Trail is already complete in this area. Phase two requires that the area from Jimmy Durante Blvd. west to the San Diego Northern Railroad right-of-way be completed prior to a certificate of occupancy being issued for a new exhibit hall.  
      
The proposed Greenway will guarantee permanent public access to a unique coastal river area entirely on state property that when combined with the more than 600 adjacent acres of preserve will provide generations to come with an impressive wildlife viewing experience.

On behalf of the Friends of the San Dieguito River Valley, I urge your support of SB 1177.

Sincerely,
Jacqueline Winterer, President

< SB 1177 Greenway Bill - Summary history courtesy of Senator Kehoe's office.

posted 06/19/2010

• SB1177 started in the Senate. Passed Natural Resources and Water 4/13/10 5-3 vote Passed Senate Food and Agriculture 4/20/10 3-1 vote
• Went to Senate Appropriations where amendments were taken 7-3 vote
• Passed full Senate 6/1/10 with amendments 21-13 vote
• Moves to Assembly where it will be heard on 6/28/10 by the Assembly Natural Resources Committee
• Next to the Assembly Agriculture Committee on 6/30/10
• Then to the full Assembly (no date yet – depends upon what happens with the budget hearings.)
• Then because there were amendments, it will go to a Conference Committee made up of representatives of the Senate and Assembly.
• Then to the Governor – at which point we’ll need to get lots of letters sent to the Governor urging him to sign the bill.

< Alert:  We need your help again!

posted 06/19/2010=

SB 1177 has cleared the Senate and is set for its first hearing in the Assembly on Monday, June 28th. Thank you so much for your support for the Greenway bill! The bill was amended on June 1st, which means we need updated “support” letters for our next round of hearings. Below is a sample letter – feel free to modify. We need the new letter (signed and dated) as soon as possible as a pdf emailed to deanna.spehn@sen.ca.gov or faxed to Senator Kehoe’s San Diego District Office at 619-645-3144.

Barring any further amendments in the Assembly, it goes to the Governor. We’ll be back in touch then requesting letters to the Governor requesting that he sign the legislation. That will be in late August/early September.

Here’s an update on what’s in the bill. The amendments removed the specific completion dates in the original bill because the 22nd District Agricultural Association (DAA) has stated the projects included in the yet-to-be-adopted Master Plan will most likely be delayed 5 to 7 years due to the economy. SB 1177 now ties full implementation of creating the 100-foot buffer to the initiation of any of the Master Plan projects, most likely through requirements that would be part of the Coastal Development Permit process.

The amended SB 1177 includes requirements that the Fair Board would have to make in the interim – principally removing equipment and materials from along the river and requiring the extension of the Coast to Crest Trail to the lagoon. The trailers parked adjacent to I-5 that are used as storage containers are also required to be moved for almost half the year, and no more banners may be hung on them.

The Del Mar Greenway bill will establish a natural buffer and guarantee permanent public access along the river. The Draft EIR for the 2008 Fairgrounds Master Plan calls for only a 10-foot wide path and narrow slope to a driveway behind the condo-hotel and exhibit areas as the only buffer between the river and proposed development.

What SB 1177 does:
Section 4158 is added to the Food and Agricultural Code requiring the 22nd DAA to develop, manage and maintain a minimum 100-foot wide greenway zone along the north bank of the San Dieguito River from I-5 to the San Diego Northern Railway right-of-way to protect, enhance and restore the overall environmental quality of the San Dieguito River and adjacent wetlands. The greenway zone must be planted and maintained with native vegetation.  Within the greenway zone, the Coast to Crest Trail will be extended from its current terminus on Fairgrounds property at Jimmy Durante Blvd. to the Lagoon.

The amended bill specifies that the minimum 100-foot buffer zone be completed in two phases.

Phase one requires the minimum 100-foot wide natural buffer to be complete by 2012 from I-5 to the Jimmy Durante Blvd. and bridge. The Coast to Crest Trail is already complete in this area.

Phase two:  The area from Jimmy Durante Blvd. west to the San Diego Northern Railroad right-of-way shall be completed prior to a certificate of occupancy being issued for a new exhibit hall. This phase is contingent upon the 22nd DAA moving forward with any portion of the 2008 proposed Master Plan in order for the minimum 100-foot natural buffer to be completed.

In the interim, prior to the implementation of any near-term or long-term projects that may be developed as part of the 2008 Master Plan, the 22nd District Agricultural Association must remove equipment, potting soil, fill dirt, construction materials, and other materials stored between the northern edge of the San Dieguito River to the existing southern access road, except for the area where the existing Recycling Center is located. The Recycling Center is proposed to be relocated as a near-term project in the 2008 Master Plan.

The 22nd DAA shall issue an easement to the San Dieguito River Park Joint Powers Authority (JPA) for the design, construction, maintenance, and monitoring of an extension of the Coast to Crest Trail from Jimmy Durante Blvd. west to the Lagoon.

The 22nd DAA shall work with the JPA and San Dieguito River Conservancy to facilitate the cleanup and restoration of the area between the river and the southern access road until such time as a regulatory agency such as the California Coastal Commission requires the buffer area to be created. The Coastal Commission, State Fish & Game Department and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service all submitted letters in response to the Draft EIR for the 2008 Del Mar Fairgrounds Master Plan citing a minimum 100-foot natural buffer along the river.

The recreational trail must be designed in consultation with the Department of Fish and Game, Department of Parks and Recreation and the JPA. Maintenance and management of this section of the Coast to Crest Trail is the responsibility of the San Dieguito River Park JPA.

The amended bill clarifies that the greenway zone itself does not include Jimmy Durante Blvd. or the Jimmy Durante Blvd. Bridge.

SB 1177 requires that at no time shall the area of the greenway zone be used for development or parking.

The greenway zone shall be permanently dedicated to the use and enjoyment of the public, so that if the 22nd DAA ceases to exist or sells the property, the greenway and public access trail shall remain, including a requirement that the greenway be transferred to the San Dieguito River Park JPA or to the Department of Fish and Game so that it remains in public ownership.

The use of truck trailers located adjacent to I-5 or elsewhere in the San Dieguito River Valley viewshed as storage units shall be limited to the annual fair season and during annual live horse racing until a regulatory agency directs otherwise. No signage shall be allowed at any time.

What SB 1177 Does Not Do:  It does not require the removal of the Recycling Center. It does not affect the use of or access to the southern access road on the Fairgrounds property.

Thanks –

Deanna

Deanna Spehn
Policy Director
Senator Christine Kehoe
39th State Senate District
2445 5th Avenue, Suite 200
San Diego, CA 92101
619-645-3133
Fax 619-645-314
deanna.spehn@sen.ca.gov

< Budget Crisis Update from JPA
posted 06/03/2010

The San Dieguito River Park Board considered budget alternatives for potential adoption at its May 21 st meeting for the new fiscal year that starts July 1st.  To make up the loss of the City of San Diego’s $254,000 in the River Park’s annual budget, the Board considered various alternatives that included layoffs, continued furloughs and/or a range of cuts in employee benefits.  At the meeting, the Board accepted Executive Director Bobertz' decision to retire effective July 1, 2010, and then continue to serve as Executive Director in a volunteer capacity. The Board also voted to ask the River Park employees to vote on whether they wish to petition to leave the San Diego County Employees Retirement Association. The Board approved a budget alternative that would keep the Environmental Planner at 3/4 time but eliminate the Sikes Adobe Museum Manager position, however that budget has a significant shortfall and will require additional decisions for it to be balanced and adopted in final form at the June 18 Board meeting.

< JPA Budget Update
posted 05/26/2010

A meeting between member agency mayors, a County Supervisor and San Diego Mayor Sanders has not produced results so far. Meanwhile the JPA must produce a budget for next year.

At the May 21 meeting of the Board of Directors the future of the JPA was discussed at length and the board is inching toward a temporary
solution for the next fiscal year.

The Board accepted the generous offer of Director Dick Bobertz . He will retire in July and remain as a volunteer Executive Director for two years.

This will ensure the 75 % funding level for the Senior Planner position but eliminating the funding for the Sikes Adobe manager.

Carl DiMaio, San Diego City JPA member, made the motion for these actions which also included the following: 

Request a staff vote on withdrawing from the County Retirement System. 

Raise the staff 401(k) contributions from 3 to 5 %.

Receive $15,000 from Carl DiMaio and Sherrie Lightner for an actuarial study of the staff situation.

It passed 5 in favor-2 opposed after contentious discussion.

< 22nd DAA Board meeting, May 11, 2010

posted 05/26/2010

Fairboard Director Russ Penniman described major difficulties of the racing business and explained that horse racing provides the major source of revenue of the Fairgrounds. These problems are exemplified by 15 % decrease in the income of the satellite wagering facility over the same period last year. With a decreased income the fairgrounds bond rating would be lowered. At the present time the fairgrounds resources are such that they do not foresee an implementation of the Master Plan in the near future.

Directors discussed problems foreseen by the District if the 100 ft greenway proposed in SB 1177 by Senator Kehoe is established before implementation of the Master Plan. In particular the design of the greenway would need to be adjusted to allow passage of emergency vehicles. 

The Fairgrounds sub-committee meeting with representatives of Del Mar and Solana Beach revealed that the cities continued to have an interest in purchasing the Fairgrounds.

< Money matters: Fairbanks Ranch Country Club
posted 05/05/2010

< Budget Crisis Update from JPA Director
posted 05/05/2010  

Thank you to the many San Dieguito River Park supporters who took the time to write San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders to express your concerns about the City's decision to withdraw all funding from the San Dieguito River Park. At the present time there is no change to the situation. The Mayor met with the Mayors of the San Dieguito River Park's other 4 member agencies (Del Mar, Escondido, Poway and Solana Beach) and the Chair of the County Board of Supervisors on April 15th. They expressed their dismay at the City's unilateral decision to withdraw funding and they explained that the citizens of the City of San Diego are the biggest beneficiaries of the San Dieguito River Park. The Mayor said he would investigate the option of transferring the River Park budget to the Water Department, but was not encouraging.

from the JPA website.

< FSDRV letter to CCC re Andrews property
posted 05/05/2010  

Lee McEachern        
May 3, 2010
District Regulatory Supervisor
California Coastal Commission
San Diego District
7575 Metropolitan Dr Ste 103
San Diego CA 92108-2370

Dear Mr. McEachern

            Re : Andrews parcel. This is a request for denial of revocation of deed restriction at 2081 Gatun St. Del Mar

The Friends of the San Dieguito River Valley is an incorporated non-profit organization founded in 1986 as an advocate for the creation and maintenance of the San Dieguito River Park. 

It is with great concern that we have become aware of a request to the California Coastal Commission to amend a deed restriction on a parcel at 2081 Gatun St in Del Mar by the Andrews, owners of the property. The property is situated directly across the street from the Old Grand Avenue Bridge Overlook, within the San Dieguito River Park and on a channel of the San Dieguito River in the recently restored lagoon area.

The Friends have been the lead agency for the preservation of the Old Grand Avenue Bridge and it’s development as a primary, accessible observation platform for the birds, fish and wildlife that can be viewed at the site.

It is only in maintaining the deed restrictions imposed on the adjoining properties that a suitable buffer zone can be maintained between the urbanized property developments and the protected lagoon environment.

We are requesting that you deny an amendment to the irrevocable deed restriction on this parcel.

Sincerely yours,

Jacqueline M. Winterer, President

< Flower Hill  Expansion

posted 05/05/2010

Flower Hill Promenade is now proceeding with its planned project to, we believe, excessively expand the shopping center.  They have just completed their Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR).  The complete DEIR report can be viewed at the Carmel Valley Public Library or online at:

www.stopflowerhill.com/FlowerHillDEIR.pdf.

An online petition, sponsored by the "Citizens Against Flower Hill Promenade's Excessive Expansion," is also available for your review and signature opposing the  project based on its significant impact on the Del Mar/Solana Beach/San Diego area as well as the San Dieguito River Valley and Park.  To sign the petition go to:

www.ipetitions.com/petition/flowerhill_expansion

For further reading click here to go to Ann Gardner's piece about the Flower Hill expansion project, printed in the May 2010 Issue of the Sandpiper.

< Money Matters
posted 04/30/2010

The most recent three year audit of the Fairbanks Country Club indicates that the Club continued to pay no rent from December 2006 through December 2009, as required by its lease once new memberships reached a certain level.

As of December 2006 the Club owned the City of San Diego $169,000. During the subsequent three years, the Audit indicates, the Club paid no rent adding an additional $95,302 to its rent due.  That figure includes an audit deficiency fee.

We have been informed by the Collection Division of the City Treasurer's Office that the matter has again been referred to "our legal unit."  We have received no further information on the status of the rent due bill which now totals $264,000.

< Senator Kehoe bill SB 1177 passed by Food and Agriculture Committee.

posted 04/20/2010

On April 20 2010 the Senate Food and Agriculture Committee passed SB 1177 which was originally introduced by Senator Kehoe. It would require the
 fairgrounds to develop and manage a minimum 100ft   greenway along the north bank of the San Dieguito River by Jan 2014.

This follows earlier  passage of the bill by the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee.   details

< Kehoe's greenway bill passes committee <<

posted 04/13/2010

SAN DIEGO – Sen. Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego) announced that her legislation to create a greenway along the Del Mar Fairgrounds and San Dieguito River passed a Senate committee today. 

“I’m thankful that members of the committee agree that this bill is needed to provide a permanent buffer between Fairground buildings and the river, restore natural wetlands, and ensure public access to this special state asset,” Kehoe said.  “The legislation would also build upon the recent environmental restoration of the San Dieguito Lagoon, which has already seen a boost to its fish and wildlife population.” 

The Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee passed SB 1177 by a vote of 6-2 and the measure will next be heard by the Senate Food and Agriculture Committee. 

Kehoe’s legislation would require the Del Mar Fairgrounds to develop and manage a minimum 100-foot-wide greenway along the north bank of the San Dieguito River, stretching from I-5 to the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad.  The greenway, which would help extend the Coast to Crest Trail through the Fairgrounds, must be completed by Jan. 1, 2014.  To view the text of the bill, visit www.senate.ca.gov/kehoeand click on “legislation.”

< SB 1177: Senator Kehoe

posted 03/24/2010

The Friends of San Dieguito River Valley wrote to State Senator Kehoe a letter of support for SB 1177.

SB 1177 would require a greenway zone to be dedicated for the permanent use and enjoyment of the public on the South side of the Fairgrounds, along the north bank of the San Dieguito River. If the 22nd DAA ceases to exist or if a part or all the property is sold, the greenway and public access trail would remain.

We stressed the  importance of preserving public access and passive recreational uses along the river on this unique piece of state property. With a minimum 100-foot buffer, the vegetation in the area will begin to recover,  as is seen in the surrounding river valley open space.

For further reading, click here to read John Graybill's article about the Greenway,
printed in the May 2010 Issue of the Sandpiper.

< San Dieguito River Park Finances

posted 03/24/2010

This letter was sent to San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders on February  
28, 2010, to express FSDRV's concerns about the future of the River 
Park.  Click here.

< San Dieguito River Park

posted 02/25/2010

San Diego’s decision to drop its assessment payment under the 1989 Joint Powers agreement with San Diego County, Solana Beach, Del Mar, Escondido and Poway has placed the existence of the JPA in jeopardy. San Diego’s share represents 36% of the operating budget. A reduction of this size impacts staff, rangers , trail maintenance, Sikes Farmstead operation, invasive species removal and watershed management amongst the many responsibilities of the JPA.

The Board made a 14% cut in salaries last year and voted for a once a month furlough for employees this year. There are 5 staff members and 6 rangers.

San Diego councilmembers DeMaio and Lightner are negotiating with Mayor Sanders to try to find a way out of this impasse.

Please write to the

Mayor JerrySanders@sandiego.gov 

and to Councilmembers DeMaio carldemaio@sandiego.gov

and Sherri Lightner sherrilightner@sandiego.gov

of San Diego Council Districts 5 and 1 to express support for the River Park.

< City of San Diego projects

posted 01/25/2010

El Camino Real Road and Bridge Widening project

This piece by Ann Gardner appeared in the May 2010 Issue of the Sandpiper,
and is reprinted here, courtesy of the Sandpiper.

On the opposite side of the River Valley from the proposed Flower Hill expansion an entirely different project is getting underway: the first phase of a corridor improvement plan where preservation of the environment takes priority. It is testimony to the patience and persistence of local conservationists.

Site of El Camino Real road-widening project. Photo Craig Adams

In 2005 the City of San Diego issued the first of three plans for road widening projects on El Camino Real and Via de la Valle as the roads traverse the River Valley from Carmel Valley across the old El Camino Real Bridge past the polo fields to Via de la Valle. The first leg of the project, now underway, crosses the only remaining wildlife and trail connections from northern San Diego’s Habitat Preservation Area to the western River Valley. The remaining phases call for an 84-foot wide Via de la Valle, raised 10 to 24 foot wide stamped concrete medians, turnouts and traffic signals.

Opposition from community and environmental organizations, dismayed at the loss of the river valley’s “pastoral” character and urbanization of a critical natural habitat, grew. This led to the creation of an ad-hoc Western River Valley task force in 2006 by then councilman Scott Peters. Members have stayed involved throughout numerous task force meetings; appeal hearings; revised, recirculated and updated Mitigated Negative Declaration documents claiming the project “now… mitigates the potentially significant environmental effects previously identified and an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) will not be required.”

Fast forward to April 2010 and a representative of the City’s engineering design team is presenting an alternative plan to the San Dieguito River Park Board of Directors. The new design coordinates all three projects and incorporates the Task Force’s recommendation to underground utility poles on the south side of Via de la Valle as it moves west along the restored lagoon. The roadways are reduced from 84 to 60 feet; roundabouts replace traffic signals, and a new single span culvert to better facilitate wildlife movement and trail crossings will replace an old culvert squeezed by three piers.

A full Draft EIR is expected to be released by the City later this year and the new plan will be included as an Alternative to the original designs in order to reduce the environmental and aesthetic impacts of these projects on the western river valley.

Shawna Anderson, San Dieguito River Park, and Jan Fuchs and Anne Harvey, Carmel Valley Planning Board representatives on the River Valley Task Force, provided information for this article.

< Southern California Edison

posted 01/25/2010

Opening of the San Dieguito River inlet is now scheduled for later this year.  Three major projects remain to be undertaken and completed before the San Dieguito Lagoon Restoration is completed.

• All permits secured, the pilings of the railroad bridge must be strengthened.
• The inlet must be dredged increasing the tidal flow.
• A revetment must be constructed to protect the southwestern bank of the San Dieguito  river where its course makes a sharp westward turn toward the ocean.

When the nesting and tourist seasons are over, the appropriate time to undertake these major tasks will be after Labor Day 2010.

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