OB Community Plan Gains Final Approval; Now in Effect

On January 14, 2016, the California Coastal Commission issued its final certification of the new Ocean Beach Community Plan, placing it officially in effect throughout Ocean Beach. This final step marked the culmination of over 10 years of hard work by the community, the Precise Plan Update Committee, and City staff.

The de minimis version below is the official Ocean Beach Community Plan, although it currently lacks color and some formatting. The City is currently producing the final, formatted version, which will be posted here when available.

• Ocean Beach Community Plan (de minimis version) (PDF, 6 MB)

The Ocean Beach Planning Board extends its sincere congratulations and appreciation to everyone who worked toward this milestone.

OB Community Plan Up for Final Approval on Monday 11/9

After a nearly 15-year process, the Ocean Beach Community Plan has reached the final stage of approval! This final step is adoption by the San Diego City Council of the modifications requested by the California Coastal Commission in August. (For details on the revisions, see the Community Plan page.)

The City Council is scheduled to consider the OB Community Plan at its session on Monday, November 9, 2015, beginning at 2pm.

The meeting will be held in the City Council Chambers located on the 12th Floor of the City Administration Building, 202 C Street, San Diego, CA 92101 (map/directions).

Come Out to Show Your Support!

We urge anyone and everyone who supports Ocean Beach, coastal communities, and San Diego’s Community Planning process to attend the City Council hearing in support of the OB Community Plan.

Carpooling is encouraged and the OB Planning Board and OB Town Council will be coordinating rides to and from the event. If you are interested in sharing transportation, please email communityplan@oceanbeachplanning.org.

Blue Shirts

Finally, please wear a blue shirt in support of the OB Community Plan. These excellent shirts can be purchased at the Dog Beach Dog Wash, 4933 Voltaire Street, San Diego, CA 92107 (map/directions):

Thanks to everyone for their support thus far. The finish line is in sight and we want to finish off strong. Please come out to the meeting and invite your friends to stand with our community.

Coastal Commission Approves OB Community Plan; One Hurdle Remains

The California Coastal Commission unanimously approved the Ocean Beach Community Plan, with modifications, on Thursday, August 13, 2015. Members of community came out in force to show support, and the City of San Diego and the Coastal Commission were able to reach amicable compromises on most of their policy disagreements (see the Community Plan page for details).

However, some sticking points still remain between the City and the Coastal Commission, and before the new plan actually goes into effect, the San Diego City Council must decide whether to accept the Coastal Commission’s modified version of the Community Plan. It is possible that the plan could remain in its current state of “limbo” while the remaining points of contention are negotiated. City staff say they hope to bring the plan to the City Council in October.

Overall it was another successful day for Ocean Beach and the OB Community Plan, and we thank everyone who pitched in their support. Stay tuned for more updates as we cross the finish line.

Live Stream of Coastal Commission Hearing on OB Community Plan

Today, August 13, the California Coastal Commission is considering the Ocean Beach Community Plan at its meeting in Chula Vista. The proceedings can be streamed live at the following location:

• Coastal Commission Live Stream

Updates will be posted here when available.

Bus to Coastal Commission Hearing on OB Community Plan, Thu 8/13

On Thursday, August 13, the California Coastal Commission will consider the Ocean Beach Community Plan at its meeting in Chula Vista. OB’s community groups have organized bus transportation for supporters. The first 40 people to show up will get a seat on the bus. The itinerary is below:

Bus Itinerary: Thursday, August 13, 2015

Departure: Ocean Beach to Chula Vista
Time: 10:00 am
Pick Up: OB Recreation Center, 4726 Santa Monica Ave, San Diego CA 92107
Drop Off: Chula Vista Council Chambers, 276 Fourth Ave, Chula Vista CA 91910

Return: Chula Vista to Ocean Beach
Time: Approximately 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Pick Up: Chula Vista Council Chambers, 276 Fourth Ave, Chula Vista CA 91910
Drop Off: OB Recreation Center, 4726 Santa Monica Ave, San Diego CA 92107

If you are interested in riding the bus, please RSVP to communityplan@oceanbeachplanning.org. Bus riders are encouraged to pack a lunch.

The Coastal Commission’s larger hearing begins begins at 9am, but the Community Plan is item #22c on the agenda, so the actual time it will be heard is unknown.

The hearing location is:

Chula Vista Council Chambers
276 Fourth Ave
Chula Vista, CA 91910
(map/directions)

Stay tuned for updates on the Coastal Commision hearing as they become available. Details on the OB Community Plan can be found at oceanbeachplanning.org/communityplan.

Come Support the OB Community Plan, Thurs 8/13!

On Thursday, August 13, the California Coastal Commission will consider the Ocean Beach Community Plan at their meeting in Chula Vista. The larger hearing begins begins at 9am, but the Community Plan is item #22c on the agenda, so the actual time it will be heard is currently unknown.

OB’s community groups are in the early stages of organizing bus transportation to Chula Vista. If you would be interested in bus transportation, please email communityplan@oceanbeachplanning.org.

The hearing location is:

Chula Vista Council Chambers
276 Fourth Ave
Chula Vista, CA 91910
(map/directions)

Stay tuned for updates on the Coastal Commision hearing as they become available. Details on the OB Community Plan can be found at oceanbeachplanning.org/communityplan.

Short-Notice Call for Photos for the OB Community Plan

We have been given a short-notice opportunity to put some finishing touches on our new OB Community Plan by submitting additional images that illustrate the uniqueness of our town. Using the guidelines below, please email your best OB photos to johnambert@gmail.com by the end of the day on Friday, July 17th. Thank you for your support!

Themes We’re Looking For:

• Infill development
• Buildings that showcase small-scale character: bulk, scale, historic cottages
• Historic content: Particularly early roads into OB
• Shots from the ocean “view cones” in low-lying areas (within 1-2 blocks)
• Recreation: Surfing, skate park, volleyball courts, etc.
• Events: Street Fair, Holiday Parade, Kite Festival, Farmers Market, etc.
• Sensitive Environments: Famosa Slough, San Diego River, cliffs, tidepools
• All 6 hotels in Ocean Beach
• Popular businesses and restaurants
• Bicycle routes
• Crosswalks/pedestrian crossings
• OB Pier: Any/all angles
• Newport Avenue crowded with people/cars at sunset

Guidelines:

• Ensure all photos are taken within the OB Community Plan Area.
• Ensure outdoor photos are taken under blue skies, as the marine layer creates a white-out effect.

OB Community Plan: Coastal Commission Update

This week planners from the City of San Diego provided an update on the new OB Community Plan, which is awaiting final certification by the California Coastal Commission.

The OB Community Plan is tentatively scheduled to be heard by the Coastal Commission at its August 12-14, 2015 meeting in Chula Vista. However, some policy issues still require resolution between the Coastal Commission and the City.

City staff provided the following summary of the remaining issues:

• Summary of Coastal Commission Issues Related to the OB Community Plan (June 1, 2015) (PDF, 2.4 MB)

For more details and background documents, see oceanbeachplanning.org/communityplan.

City Council Unanimously Approves Community Plan, Variance Language Intact

The San Diego City Council voted 9-0-0 today to approve the new Ocean Beach Community Plan, showing their unanimous support for the product of over a decade of community collaboration. The Council overruled the Planning Commission’s recommendation to soften the Community Plan’s language on variances, instead supporting the language recommended by the OB Planning Board, City staff, numerous community organizations, and thousands of concerned citizens.

The OB Planning Board extends its deepest appreciation to all the dedicated volunteers who worked in support of the Community Plan update for over a decade, from its inception through today’s approval. Community involvement has strengthened the Plan and played a crucial role in its success from the beginning.

The Community Plan still must be certified by the California Coastal Commission, which could occur as early as Fall 2014. City staff have already revised the Plan to reflect suggestions from Coastal Commission staff, and a handful of minor issues remain that both staffs expect to resolve in the coming months. When negotiations are complete, the City Council may approve focused revisions to the Community Plan, but those revisions will not affect today’s overall approval.

For more information, please see our Community Plan page.