Coastkeeper is working with the Environmental Health Coalition to lead community organizing efforts in south San Diego Bay. Efforts include community organizing to ensure comprehensive and wise planning for the Chula Vista Bayfront, a sensitive area adjacent to the South Bay Wildlife Refuge that includes proposed large-scale developments. Coastkeeper is working with other environmental representatives to develop a set of policy recommendations for the Chula Vista General Plan Update, and we have been appointed to the Environment and Open Space Subcommittee of the General Plan Update Process.
Allison Rolfe, San Diego Coastkeeper's Policy Director, was appointed to the Chula Vista Bayfront Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) in July 2003. Since then, the group has met regularly to guide the vision that will shape the future of the Bayfront ? a Bayfront, the CAC members agree, that must serve both visitors and the residents of Chula Vista.
As a stakeholder group, the CAC represents a broad and diverse cross-section of the region. Comprised of representatives from local business, labor organizations, planning and civic groups, and environmental and public health advocates, Coastkeeper is working hard to make sure that master planning for the Bayfront reflects wise, long-term planning principles. To that end, we have taken a strong position that the Mid-Bayfront and the Port properties should be planned jointly. We have also requested that a Community Impact Report be completed. Such a report will further analyze the social and economic impacts of the master plan for the area in more detail and will be an important part of the CAC's recommendations.
The CAC has been presented with many perspectives and visions for the Bayfront. In developing our shared vision we have given much consideration to the input of the public, the stated goals of the Port and City, as well as the Chula Vista General Plan Update Steering Committee, and the Bayfront consultant and design team. As the committee continues to cultivate our vision we will be taking steps to ensure that this is, indeed, a world-class master development plan ? one that will contribute to the regional economy, enhance public access, protect natural resources, and benefit the community.
The CAC meetings are open to the public. We encourage your participation in the process. If you are interested in joining us in creating a Chula Vista Bayfront of which we can all be proud, please contact:
Chula Vista's General Plan is the city's long-term strategy to address community planning issues and future growth and development. It is intended to represent the community's ideal vision for its future, and rests on a foundation of key community goals that the city will use to guide its planning decisions. Establishing the community's shared vision and key goals for the future is a critical initial step in providing a framework and direction for the General Plan Update (GPU).
As part of its approval of an overall public outreach and participation program for the Chula Vista General Plan Update, the City Council authorized the formation of citizen committees. The committees are intended to help guide the process and assist in preparation of the Update by providing a means for ongoing involvement by key community stakeholder interests (e.g. education, business, environment, housing, community services, etc.), select City boards and commissions, and residents.
The committee structure consist of a Steering Committee, and three Subcommittees related to major topic areas of the General Plan Update: Economic Development, Environment & Open Space, and Infrastructure & Services. The selection and appointment of Steering Committee and Subcommittee members was administered through the City's General Plan Management Team with ratification by the City Council. Allison Rolfe represents San Diego Coastkeeper on the Chula Vista General Plan Update Environmental and Open Space Subcommittee.
The Subcommittee's purpose is to identify and discuss issues and concerns, opportunities and constraints, and key goals and objectives related to the environment and open space. The Subcommittee also reviews information from related technical studies, and advances this information and any recommendations to the Steering Committee. Allison is working in coalition with allies on the Subcommittee to advance our policy positions.