Media Release CVBayfront mtg

Media Release: May 25, 2004
Contact: Laura Hunter, (619) 235-0281

EHC and a broad coalition of labor, community, environmental groups urge analysis of Bayfront Plan

WHO: Environmental Health Coalition and 8 Labor, Environmental, and community organizations, Chula Vista residents, Chula Vista City Council, San Diego Unified Port District officials

WHAT: Public workshop on Master Planning of Bayfront Development

WHERE: Chula Vista City Council Chambers, 276 Fourth Ave., Chula Vista

WHEN: Tuesday, May 25, 2004, 4 p.m.

WHY: More than 500 acres of the Chula Vista Bayfront – which includes the last privately held undeveloped area on San Diego Bay – are under Master Planning for development. Today, the City Council and Port of San Diego officials will receive a presentation from their planning team on the draft Master Plan alternatives that are proposed for the next steps of environmental analysis. Members of Environmental Health Coalition, San Diego Imperial County Labor Council and others will encourage support of Option C, a land use plan adopted by the Citizens Advisory Committee that was convened by the City and the Port. EHC will also share the results of its own community planning efforts and support the inclusion of key concepts into the final alternatives. City and Port officials will give direction and may vote on a preferred land use plan for analysis and outline next steps for action.

The Chula Vista Bayfront joint planning process represents a positive step toward meaningful public participation and comprehensive planning for this environmentally sensitive area. Pursuit of a land trade (swapping between private and public lands) that has allowed the Bayfront to be jointly planned increases the available development options and will help achieve a development that works economically, benefits the community and preserves the environmental integrity of this critically important property.

EHC and its allies will support Option C as the preferred land use map and will continue efforts to ensure that the final plan is appropriate, community-driven, and environmentally protective, that creates community open spaces and development areas for residents and visitors alike, and that creates jobs that will provide living wages and benefits and respect for the workers’ right to organize. Option C represents a compromise that serves the widest range of interests and includes significant open space, parks, and environmental protection while increasing residential opportunities in appropriate locations.

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