For traffic-related issues, La Jolla Traffic & Transportation is the board you need to see
By Todd Lesser
Chair, La Jolla Traffic & Transportation Committee
There has been some confusion about the roles held by La Jolla Traffic & Transportation committee (LJT&T) and the La Jolla Community Planning Association as it applies to traffic and transportation issues. A joint board is required by Council Policy 600-24 for traffic and transportation issues in La Jolla to ensure that there is broad representation of the various geographic sections of the community and there are diversified community interests.
LJT&T is a joint board comprised of two members from the Bird Rock Community Council (BRCC), La Jolla Community Planning Association (LJCPA), La Jolla Village Merchants Association (LJVMA), La Jolla Shores Association (LJSA) and La Jolla Town Council (LJTC). The rules were designed so no one group who appoints two members would get the final say.
LJCPA is the group designated to provide community feedback to the City of San Diego on land-use matters. LJCPA has various subcommittees that review individual building projects for things like Coastal Development Permits and other building permits or whether a building project is in compliance with the local Planned District Ordinances (PDO) for either the business areas or the La Jolla Shores PDO. On all of these subject matters, they are the primary voice for La Jolla with the City of San Diego — but not for traffic and transportation issues.
LJT&T is not a sub-committee of the LJCPA, on the contrary, it is designated to communicate directly with the City of San Diego on traffic and transportation matters.
Unfortunately, to some members of the community, the LJCPA monthly agenda implies that in ratifying the LJT&T actions the LJCPA has the final word on traffic and transportation issues. There is also a public misperception that it is OK to skip LJT&T and simply “pull” the item/ask so that it be heard at the next LJCPA meeting. This is an error of assumption.
On traffic and transportation issues, LJCPA has the same standing with the City as Rotary or
Kiwanis. If people with traffic issues have the time and resources and want to make presentations at various community meetings to get the word out about their situation or event, that should not be misunderstood to mean that the group hearing it is voting to approve or deny the traffic or transportation portion with any special authority. In fact, spending a lot of time on items that are not in the purview of a group may be viewed as a distraction of time best spent on what is actually within the group’s authority.
See the following information for the language from the Bylaws of each group.
If you would like to comment on traffic-related issues in La Jolla and have your voice be heard by the actual organization recognized by the city, I encourage you to get on our e-mail list and start coming to our meetings, they are held at 4 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of the month at at the La Jolla Rec Center, 615 Prospect St. www.ljsa.org/lists
LJCPA bylaws:
‘Article II Section 1. Purposes “The LJCPA has been recognized by the City Council, Planning Commission, City staff and other governmental agencies on land use matters, specifically concerning the preparation of, adoption of, implementation of, or amendment to, the General Plan, or a land use plan when a plan relates to the La Jolla Community Plan boundaries.’
LJT&T bylaws:
“The purposes of the La Jolla Traffic and Transportation Board are: to serve as the focal point for traffic and transportation matters for the community of La Jolla with governmental agencies and with the public…”
“Topics that may be considered by the Board include, but are not limited to: water mains, storm drains and sewers; street paving; traffic signals and stop signs; traffic enforcement; facilities financing; MTDB bus routes and rail lines; bike routes and bike routes; TDM/APCD; parking lots; street lighting and signage; parking enforcement; street repair and cleaning; sidewalks and crosswalks; street parking and rainbow curbs; right-of-way vacation; and ad hoc subcommittees as needed.”
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR NOV. 13, 2014
30-Day Club continues fight against short-term rents
The Oct. 2 meeting of the La Jolla Community Planning Association was instructive to those who are following the explosion in Short Term Vacation Rental (STVR) issues in La Jolla and nationwide. At this meeting, the public was afforded an open forum for comments and many folks made their concerns known. The president of the San Diego Vacation Rental Managers Alliance (SDVRMA) indicated that his supporters did not attend and implored the committee to allow an encore of just the public comments at its next meeting on Nov. 6. The committee so accommodated and the SDVRMA president promised “his folks” would be at the next meeting.
Sure enough, nearly 100 real estate folks responded to his e-mail blast and packed the La Jolla Rec Center. Sporting badges that proclaimed “I Support Short-Term Vacation Rentals” and an opinion from a downtown real estate attorney that no disclosure is required when selling property adjacent or in the area of a STVR, the group queued up to microphone to proclaim severe consequences for La Jolla and San Diego should any constraints be placed on their ongoing business.
Our side was not able to respond, even in public comment, as the chair mandated that any who spoke in the previous meeting were precluded from addressing the committee this time around. So only a few hearty souls from our group were able to voice concerns for the community.
To set the record straight would take a few pages, but suffice to say we are proponents of our single family residential neighborhoods (zoned R1 and in some cases RM), but have only been characterized in the negative light as opponents.
Thanks to all of you who continue to contact us with your personal experiences and struggles, we will continue to be your voice. The nationwide groundswell continues and we ask you to join us at this important time when we will determine whether neighborhoods will be for neighbors or become mixed commercial housing.
Jon Mangerich
Chairman, 30 Day Club
30dayclub@gmail.com
W. Muirlands traffic calm could lead to car accidents
That cement oblong obstruction recently built on West Muirlands Drive to slow traffic certainly is a major accident hazard.
Because the monster much of the time is in the shadow of large trees, it is well hidden and extremely difficult to see for both regular travelers on the street and unwary visitors.
The bright painting helps, but some lighting may be needed to avert auto and tire damage when running into the cement.
Tom Sprague
La Jolla
Some residents need to stop wasting water
La Jollans seem to have forgotten that there is a very serious drought in California. This week alone, I’ve seen three residents using copious amounts of water to hose off their driveways and sidewalks. Perhaps pictures and public shaming are due? Or perhaps these people need to be reminded that wasting water is now a criminal offense? u
Chase Barrett
La Jolla