Port Of San Diego's Plan: 34 Miles To Redesign

Speaker 1: 00:00 For the past seven years, the port of San Diego has been working on an update of its master plan to set the vision for future development along the 34 miles of waterfront from San Diego and Karnataka South through Chula Vista, national city and Imperial beach. The last master plan was adopted in 1981, nearly 40 years ago, and much has changing along San Diego Bay. The port is soliciting public comment on its port master plan update through tomorrow. It's here to talk about what changes could be in the works is Leslie initia hero planning director for the port district. Leslie, thanks for joining us. Speaker 2: 00:37 You're welcome. Good morning. Speaker 1: 00:39 What's the vision for the port district for the near future regarding how things will change for commercial property and public space and aesthetics in general? Speaker 2: 00:48 Well, what we're really trying to do with this port master plan update is create something for everyone who enjoys San Diego Bay. Um, the master plan is essentially the ports, water and land use law and the intention of an updated poor master plan, which we often refer to as the future of the port is to serve as the primary tool for balancing environmental, economic and community interests along the San Diego Bay waterfront for the next 30 years. Speaker 1: 01:15 Originally, the master plan would have allowed hundreds of, of new hotel rooms along the waterfront, but I understand there were objections. What was the original plan and, and how has it changed? Speaker 2: 01:27 Um, you're correct. We received an extensive amount of community feedback. So after extensive conversations with communities around San Diego Bay report determined that added density was more appropriately located in our urban centers, specifically in the planning district of shelter Island. Next to the point, moment area 1600 rooms were initially proposed and now we are not advancing any new hotel rooms for that area. Similarly, in the Cornetto planning districts, we initially had 710 total hotel rooms. And this revised draft has reduced those rooms down to a no increases Speaker 1: 02:09 Induction in hotel rooms, but there will be quite a lot of new hotel rooms on the North Embarcadero, right. Speaker 2: 02:14 But correct on the area or the proposed redevelopment between Ash and, uh, the 1220 Pacific highway property just around the beach street. Uh, what we initially had proposed was 2000 hotel rooms in response to that community feedback. However, we've reduced the amount of proposed hotel rooms to be a total of 1,550 rooms. So it's a net increase of 950 rooms over what exists today. Now in the revised plan, we're also advancing stripped tight limitations along with building setback requirements to make sure that we preserve view corridors and make access to the waterfront very easy. Speaker 1: 02:57 And why the delay in the, in the long planned redevelopment of Seaport village and the central Embarcadero what's happening there? Speaker 2: 03:05 Well, um, the central Embarcadero has long been recognized as one of our most important and significant areas of port Tidelands. The central Embarcadero sub-district is essentially the Seaport village area, uh, which extends roughly from the G street mole area around the bend to where the Hyatt hotel property Brigit begins. So, uh, uh, we want to make sure that that area is planned in a holistic and integrated manner, and there's still a significant amount of planning work that needs to be coordinated, um, most notably with the state lands commission. Uh, so we've determined that the best approach for redeveloping this area is to process it as a separate amendment to the port master plan independent of the PMP process Speaker 1: 03:51 So soon. Okay. Now what about public space? I understand that the plan calls for including Navy pier as a recreational open space and adding more green space between the waterfront park, by the County buildings there and the waterfront, when might that happen. Speaker 2: 04:06 So, uh, the poor master plan update requires a number of milestones to achieve before elements of the plan can be implemented. The plan needs to go through the California environmental quality act process, as well as processing with the California coastal commission for their certification. So once that occurs, which we estimate will be, uh, towards the end of 2022, we'll be able to begin implementing specific improvements, such as the conversion of Navy pier to a park area with some parking allowed, uh, along with the creation of additional public space, along the waterfront in the North Embarcadero area. Specifically, we have a concept called the window to the Bay, um, which is to create new opportunities for the public to access the waterfront and provide, uh, enhanced park areas for all Californians and visitors, the window to the Bay, uh, concept we'll add more green space as, as you mentioned, and a waterfront destination just North of the Newport st pure restaurant in the maritime museum. The concept includes a large public pier with public docking opportunities and would create synergies with the iconic County waterfront park right across the street. Speaker 1: 05:23 Nice. So now the master plan calls for the reconfiguration of the Southern part of Harbor drive. That's further South though. Uh, tell us about that. And, and what's, what's the goal. Speaker 2: 05:34 So we refer to that as the Harbor drive 2.0 project, which is one of the first major achievements and the port master plan update process, uh, through smart planning, the port will reduce truck traffic impacts by redesigning the industrial section of Harbor drive using intelligent transportation systems while adding protected bike lanes, beautification, and other. And this is really a way to address community concerns about check traffic while also making, uh, maritime cargo, uh, hauling more efficient between our two terminals Speaker 1: 06:10 And public input on this draft update ends on Tuesday, but will there be chances for public input in the future? Speaker 2: 06:17 Absolutely. So, uh, through the entire California environmental quality act process, and there will be opportunities for public participation and commenting, uh, we estimate putting out the draft program EIR for the PMP next summer, uh, and that will be subject to a review and comment period. Uh, and also when we present that EIR to our board, the public will have the opportunity to make public comment and participate in that hearing, uh, before our board of port commissioners, as well as through the entire processing with the California coastal commission. Speaker 1: 06:51 We've been speaking with Leslie initia Hera planning director for the port district. Leslie, thanks so much. Speaker 2: 06:57 You're welcome Speaker 1: 07:00 To submit feedback to the port and review the revised draft. You can go to port of San diego.org/pnpu and feedback will be accepted through Tuesday, November the 17th Speaker 3: 07:19 [inaudible].