CHULA VISTA – If local leaders have their way, much of the city's bayfront development will be concentrated near the marina.

Under a proposed land-use plan, the midsection of the bayfront – between the boatyard and J Street – could feature homes, a commercial harbor, hotels and events center. Right now, the area includes marinas, restaurants and a recreational vehicle park.

At a joint meeting Tuesday, the City Council and San Diego Unified Port Commission approved the plan, one of three presented, for further analysis before sending it to the state for approval.

The plan received support from residents and environmental and labor groups. The council and port also will analyze an alternative plan, which calls for homes to be built on the privately owned Mid Bayfront, as a fallback option.

"It's nothing short of a miracle, in my view, that we have a broad consensus," Mayor Steve Padilla said before both agencies voted unanimously to support the plan.

However, one community group, Crossroads II, yesterday voiced its concerns about the resolution passed by the city and port. The resolution was amended to change two sites in the southern portion of the bayfront designated for homes. The change would allow for research and development, a light manufacturing use.

Crossroads II President Patricia Aguilar said the group does not want to see manufacturing on the bayfront. The group interprets the resolution as allowing a manufacturing plant.

The city has long wanted to develop its bayfront as a potential regional commercial attraction. After years of stalled projects, including a $500 million hotel and retail complex, local leaders say development is on track.

By establishing land-use designations, it should be easier for the city and port to attract private development.

This latest effort began in October 2002 when the city and port agreed to create an overall development plan for the bayfront, which stretches from the Sweetwater Marsh Wildlife Refuge to south of the South Bay Power Plant.

The port controls abut 400 acres on the city's waterfront; the rest is privately owned.

The city and the port hired a waterfront development consultant team, and split the cost of $850,000.

In March, Pacifica Co. joined the bayfront planning process. The developer had proposed building a residential village on the 127 privately owned acres at the foot of F Street.

The site is the only place where homes can be built on the bayfront. The port cannot build homes on land it controls.

The selected master plan hinges on the port's ability to obtain state approval for a land swap with Pacifica. The privately owned land is on environmentally sensitive land. If the land swap is approved, homes could be built near the marina and on the southern portion of the bayfront.

The least-intense development would be on the northern swath of the bayfront. It may include a hotel or office.

In a portion south of the current marina, the plan calls for a regional sports park and more homes.

Under the plan, the recreational vehicle park, power plant and electric switchyard would be relocated to some place else on the bayfront.

Development would be phased in over 30 years. The agencies would focus first near the marina, known as the Harbor District. Next would be the southern portion, followed by the northern area.

The master plan does not identify how many homes and the size of the buildings on the bayfront. The number of homes has been a concern among residents, who are worried about increased traffic and the impact on already crowded schools.

Port and city staff members will now work on design guidelines, prepare a financial feasibility study and begin the environmental review process for the plan. At the same time, the alternative plan will be analyzed.

One plan will eventually go before the California Coastal Commission and State Lands Commission for approval. The agencies hope to have state approval by August 2005.

Throughout the process, the city and port have conducted extensive community outreach, including the creation of a citizens advisory group.

More than 25 people spoke at the joint council and port commission meeting. Most spoke in favor of the plan. The packed audience overflowed outside the council chambers.

Laura Hunter of the Environmental Health Coalition said her group favors the plan as long as the land swap is done. There is still work to be done on the plan, but, she said, "It's got the right genetic material."

Copyright 2004 Union-Tribune Publishing Company. Used by Permission