SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — For several months, San Diegans were invited to weigh in on the Port Master Plan proposal. It's the Port of San Diego's first comprehensive update in nearly 40 years, aiming to reflect changes in the needs and priorities of the region.
The Port manages 34 miles of San Diego Bay and Waterfront along Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach, National City, and San Diego.
When the Port published the proposed master plan in April, several communities voiced major concerns; two of the most vocal being Coronado and Point Loma residents.
"We have this little slice of history, and I think it's our obligation to preserve, so it's enjoyed generations to come," said Cameron Lilley, a multi-generational Point Loma native.
For months, Lilley has been garnering community support in opposition to some of the proposals impacting Shelter Island.
"We started digging into it and quickly realized that there were so many points that really didn't consider the locals in the restructure of our community," said Lilley.
Some of their primary concerns:
- Up to 1600 new hotel rooms
- 70,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space
- Removing private and historic docks
The Port received nearly 3,000 comment letters in response to its initial proposal.
On Monday Port commissioners listened to public comment and made recommendations to staff.
Direction to staff for the Shelter Island Planning District:
- No new hotel rooms on Shelter Island, move them to Harbor Island
- 30-foot height limit, consistent with City of San Diego height limit
- Keep Marlin Club at current location
- La Playa Piers - keep piers the way they are; open to the public with gangways and floating docks to remain private
- La Playa Yacht Club - no perimeter walkway, pursue other methods to provide public access to the area
- Scott Street - no reconfiguration
Add clarifying language:
- While it was never the Port’s intent to build a restroom on the La Playa Trail or at the trailhead, add language to clarify that no restrooms will be built
- Clarify the Port’s intent for the La Playa Trail to maintain it in its natural state
- Clarify the Port’s intent to maintain and protect current maritime uses
Port staff will bring a revised proposal back to the table in six months, giving the public another opportunity to weigh in.
