Council's Corner  ZONING
STANDARDS WORKSHOP SCEHDULED
The Residential Standards
Improvement Project (RSIP) subcommittee will
host a public workshop from 6 p.m.
to 8 p.m. on February 24 in the Winn Room of the Library
to present recommendations for revising single-family
housing standards in the Village. In 2003, the City Council
appointed 11 residents to the RSIP subcommittee
to review the City’s existing standards
and to research housing ordinances in other
communities. |
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The preservation of Coronado’s unique village atmosphere has always been a high priority for City residents and officials. Recognizing the need for ongoing public facility and school improvements, the City created the Community Development Agency in February 1985. To date, the Agency has produced numerous benefits for the City and the Coronado Unified School District. Once established, the Agency developed a strategic plan to ensure that the facility needs of the Coronado community would be prioritized and met in a fiscally prudent manner. This resulted in the Community Development Plan (Plan). The Plan designated the entire City as a redevelopment area. This allowed new tax dollars resulting from projects built after 1985 to remain in the City and not be split among state interests. Agency revenue is divided among affordable housing, School District and City projects. After 20 percent is set aside for affordable housing (as required by law), the Agency allocates two-thirds of the remainder for school facilities and the other one-third for City building projects. A significant benefit of the Agency is that it can leverage funds by issuing tax allocation bonds. Much like a home mortgage, bonds allow the construction of capital improvements without having to pay for construction costs all at once. As a result, new schools can be constructed and public facilities can be improved much more expeditiously than through traditional financial strategies. “The City’s Community Development Agency has proven to be a tremendous asset for local residents and our students,” said Agency Executive Director and Coronado City Manager Mark Ochenduszko. “The Agency takes its responsibilities seriously and only engages in projects that make financial sense.” For the City
Council, which also serves as the Agency’s
Board of Directors, monitoring bond payments
is a top priority. Officials
understand their fiscal responsibility
and take great care to ensure that regular
bond payments are made. Before
the projects are pursued, the Agency
evaluates and balances short-term community
needs versus economic obligations. |
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The combination of soft sand, good weather, warm water and a top ranking from the Travel Channel were bound to increase visits to the beach in Coronado. So when City beaches topped 2 million visitors in 2003 few were surprised. To meet increased needs, the City worked closely with the community to develop a plan called the Beach Public Safety and Restroom Project. It will improve existing beach facilities, provide the quality safety services expected by the Coronado community, and preserve the character of the town’s most cherished natural resource. The project consists of three primary features: a new lifeguard tower, a lifeguard support facility and new restrooms. The tower, replacing a 40-year-old structure that was condemned as unsafe in 2002, will provide lifeguards with the ability to see activities along the shoreline and beach. The support building will feature lifeguard showers and lockers and provide beach public safety staff with faster and easier access to life-saving equipment. The new restrooms will be located at North Beach, providing sanitary facilities for the many users of this part of the beach and Sunset Park. The support building will feature an organic look to blend in with the beach environment. The facility will be tucked up against the rocks just north of the existing restrooms at Central Beach, with its roofline no higher than the existing stone revetment to make the building less visually intrusive. To gather input about the project, the City held two neighborhood workshops, in addition to four public meetings with the City Council, to develop an appropriate plan for the buildings. Many resident suggestions were incorporated into final design plans, including the location and look of the new structures. “By working with the community to improve our beach facilities, the City was able to meet the needs of both residents and beach visitors,” said Coronado Fire Chief Kim Raddatz, who also oversees the City’s lifeguards. “Public safety is very important to the City Council. Beach users need restrooms, first aid and lifeguard services to safely and comfortably enjoy the spectacular beauty of Coronado beach.” For more information, contact the Fire Department at 619.522.7374.
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Preserving
the City’s History
Just over the bridge from the urban lifestyle of downtown
San Diego, Coronado residents enjoy a different quality of life.
Tree-lined streets, manicured parks and historical homes provide
a glimpse into the past – In 2000, the City Council created the Historic Resource Commission to identify and help preserve historic resources in Coronado. The Commission is made up of five members: one Planning Commissioner; one Design Review Commissioner; and three residents appointed by the City Council. “The City has deep roots in its past, evidenced by the values held by current residents,” said Tony Pena, Director of Community Development. “The Historic Resource Commission was created to preserve Coronado’s link to the past, and its members are doing an excellent job of establishing a vision for the future.”
This vision recently factored into the City Council’s decision to adopt a resolution recommended by the Historic Resource Commission designating 14 City-owned parks in the Village as historic resources. As a result, any major alterations proposed for these parks would be subject to the California Environmental Quality Act and a thorough review by the Historic Resource Commission. Coronado parks represent the foresight of early civic leaders, such as John D. Spreckels, for whom Spreckels Park is named. Mr. Spreckels understood how important open space would be in maintaining Coronado’s community character. Spreckels’ dream for the future has since been passed on. Today’s civic stewards understand that these types of amenities not only provide aesthetic benefits, but also contribute to the economic well-being of the City through increased property values. Currently, 49 residential structures have been designated historic. To achieve this status, a building must be at least 75 years of age or have reached historical significance within the last 75 years and meet additional criteria. These include representing a special style of architecture or being associated with a well-known architect, builder or occupant. Structures designated thus far range from small beach bungalows and one-of-a-kind residences to apartment complexes and large estates. Community Development Agency Produces Results City
Projects
Police
Facility
Public
Services Facility
Downtown Streetscape Project
Glorietta
Bay Master Plan
Village
Elementary School
School Sports Complex
Strand Elementary School
Coronado High School
Future Projects
The City of Coronado and Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI) have long enjoyed a positive working relationship. Through collective efforts, both parties recently received good news when Congress approved NASNI’s $10.18 million funding request to realign the primary entrance of the military base. The result will be a smoother flow of traffic along Third Street and into the facility. From a military standpoint, the project will enhance anti-terrorism security and improve access for authorized Navy personnel, as well as improve traffic circulation in and around the base. The project will consist of moving the main NASNI entrance from its current position at Fourth Street and Alameda Boulevard to Third Street and Alameda Boulevard. The new alignment will allow traffic heading onto the base a more direct route at the end of Third Street, instead of having to turn left on Alameda before entering the base. The construction of the new gate will also allow for more vehicles to be checked on base, rather than on City streets. This design aspect is intended to minimize delays while vehicles enter the base. The City will benefit from the project in a variety of ways. Relocating the gate will improve traffic flow, help decrease queuing, or vehicle stacking on City streets in front of the base. Other features of the project include new traffic signals, increased security posts and inspection points, a truck inspection facility and a landscaped buffer between the neighborhood and the new multi-modal transit center for buses, shuttles and taxis. “The City is proud to support the military and help further its overall mission of protecting national security,” said Director of Engineering Jim Benson. “The Third Street Gate project is a good example of the progress that can be made when the City and the Navy work together.” For more information, contact the Engineering and Project Development Department at 619.522.7383.
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