Community Concourse, Chevron & Community Update

by Councilman Scott Peters
September 2001

All of us have been affected by the tragedy of the attacks against our country on September 11. It's difficult even to think of, by comparison, the lesser things we deal with at the City. As I share news of some of what's happening downtown that affect quality of life in the Carmel Valley area, I wanted to acknowledge with you that there are much more important issues facing our nation, and for some of us, our own families, colleagues and loved ones.

First, an update on the Torrey Hills Chevron station. After the City Council approved the station on July 31, the community brought an important additional piece of information to our attention. The independent expert's health risk assessment may have used the wrong table for dispersion, the one for urban rather than rural environments. The rural table would have resulted in a projected risk of 15 cancers per million. This was lower than the standard of 100 applied regionwide by the San Diego Air Pollution Control District, but higher than 10, the standard urged by the community. I have asked that the matter be reconsidered by the Council so we can account for this information.

In Carmel Valley, I am very excited about the possibility of a "community concourse" on the vacant 16 acres on Townsgate Drive behind Del Mar Highlands. We may have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a walkable community space that will serve as the core of the community, connecting shopping, recreation, and education facilities. These kinds of central open spaces are what give cities and towns a sense of community, whether it's Piazza Navona in Rome or the village green in a colonial town. I want to provide the same community space for Carmel Valley.

The time is ripe for this opportunity. Mayor Murphy and the City Council are working on a strategic framework for our city's future growth, based on the theme of a "City of Villages." The Townsgate site already has many of the community amenities that define a village, and it sits between the community center and the library. The Mayor wants success stories, and with some creative thinking and some persistence, we, as a community, might be able to give him one.

The community has been enthusiastic. In July, we held a meeting for community members to discuss the design of this community concourse and I was very pleased to see so many interested residents and community leaders in attendance. The City of San Diego Planning Department also attended to help answer questions and hear input from the public. During this meeting, we encouraged everyone to dream a little, create a wish list and envision what the best design would be for the anchor of your community. Some of the interesting ideas that came out of the community meeting included closing Townsgate Drive to add more acreage and walkability to the project, constructing a community fountain to link the shopping and plaza areas, and the development of a performing arts center on several acres of the project. All are good ideas that we will continue to explore.

Internally, I have met with the City Manager and directors of all City departments to inform them that this is one of my top priorities in the district. I emphasized to them the importance of implementing this walkable town center project, and believe that we will have the full support of City staff as this process evolves.

But this will not be an easy accomplishment. The previous City Council has already approved a development of 800 apartment units on the property, and has looked to the site as the future location of a Police Department substation. At the same time, the Solana Beach School District has made an offer to acquire 10 acres of the site for a new elementary school. We will have to account for all of these dynamics if we are to come up with a community concourse of significance.

The final product will be a mixture of ideas, and as is always the case be dependent on the resources we can put together. I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to get everyone involved. Please let your planning board and my office know of your support and your ideas.