HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-07-23; City Council; 21324; Citizen Presentation Beach Front ImprovementsCITY OF CARLSBAD - AGENDA BILL 25
AB#
MTG.
DEPT.
21.324
7/23/13
CM
CITIZEN PRESENTATION ON BEACH FRONT
IMPROVEMENTS
DEPT.DIRECTOR
CITY ATTY.
CITY MGR.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
To receive a presentation from Fred Briggs regarding beach front improvements.
ITEM EXPLANATION:
The City Council provides an opportunity for citizens and organizations to have an item placed on a City
Council Agenda by submitting a request to the City Manager. Attached is a request from Fred Briggs
(Exhibit 1) requesting that the City Council receive a presentation relating to beach front improvements.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT:
Pursuant to Section 15061 ofthe CEQA Guidelines, the activity is covered by the General Rule that CEQA
applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment.
Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a
significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA.
EXHIBITS:
1. June 4, 2013 letter to the City Manager from Fred Briggs.
DEPARTMENT CONTACT: Morgen Fry 760-434-2821 Morgen.Fry@carlsbadca.gov
FOR CLERK USE.
COUNCIL ACTION: APPROVED • CONTINUEDTO DATE SPECIFIC •
DENIED • CONTINUEDTO DATE UNKNOWN •
CONTINUED • RETURNED TO STAFF •
WITHDRAWN • OTHER - SEE MINUTES •
AMENDED • REPORT RECEIVED X JrTesentatlon received.
June 4,2013
TO: John Coates, City Manager
City of Carlsbad, Califomia
FROM: Fred Briggs
1578 Basswood Avenue
Carlsbad CA 92008
SUBJECT: Request to be Placed on City Council Meeting Agenda
Over the past several years, .1 have approached various Council Members regarding the
condition of and/or the lack of city facilities along Carlsbad's beaches and beach front
areas. More recently, there seems to be increased interest in this subject and Lorraine
Wood has asked that I provide a more formal presentation during a City Council
meeting. My intent is to provide a citizen's perspective on the opportunity and
possibilities for improvements that would enhance both resident and visitor user
experience. I am requesting an agenda allotment of no more than 15 minutes during the
upcoming July 9 meeting.
I acknowledge the difficulty of what I envision, given the property issues and past
reluctance on the part of the State. However, changing attitudes have cracked open the
door and I believe the time has finally arrived to break that impasse. For one thing,
simple sanitation along our city's beaches has now become an immediate problem. The
improvements I propose - ranging from very small items to major reallocations -
would fit well with the concepts visualized by the Carlsbad Village revitalizafion
program and the Carlsbad Boulevard Realignment Project. The need for an integrated
approach to these various issues - for example, parking - is obvious and the time is
now.
Our neighboring cities have already made significant progress in accomplishing
similar objectives. In the last two years, Oceanside, Encinitas, Solana Beach and Del
Mar have made substantial investments in public facilities which add to the
attractiveness and utilization of their commercial centers, beach and beach front areas.
Their foresight will greatly benefit their economies in the future, particularly if
Carlsbad's facilities continue to be seen as neglected and shabby.
If I can answer further questions conceming my interests in these matters, please feel
free to contact me by telephone. Thank you for your consideration of my request.
Fred Briggs
tel: (760) 729-2650
Carlsbad
Village
Beach &
Beachfront
Facilities
Carlsbad’s beaches –
our most valuable resource
July 4th weekend:
too many to count
…maybe 10-15,000 people?
March 2, 2013
- a sunny Sunday
in the winter
A hand count
numbered
approximately 2000
people on the
beach from
Cannon Road
to the Buena
Vista Lagoon
Ponto Beach
At about the same time that
afternoon, Ponto Beach had
approximately 500 people
.....and there
were about 30
people in
Poinsettia Park
By observation, then,
approximately 80% of
Carlsbad’s beach visitors use
the northern (Village) beaches
To handle
these
numbers,
access and
facilities are
functional,
but minimal
…but sometimes not overly
attractive
Bluff erosion along
Carlsbad Boulevard
The Guilty Culprit
Graffiti and trash are constant
problems
Carlsbad’s
single
public
toilet
State facility;
vintage 1958
…and our
lovely
porta-
potties
Regardless of
“ownership”,
shabbiness
mars the user
experience
Oceanside
Promenade/view point, downtown
New children’s playgrounds
South of Oceanside pier North of Oceanside Pier
Solana Beach
Solana Beach
Rail Trail :
The entry
arches depict
the history of
the town
Solana Beach
Rail Trail :
Ocean-view
picnic area
One of two new pedestrian
bridges over the railroad tracks
Fletcher’s Cove, Solana Beach
Recent additions to Fletcher’s Cove
New ocean-view picnic area
New community center
City of Encinitas
New Moonlight Beach facility
Dedicated June 13, 2013
An impressive beach play area
4th Street beach stairs,
Encinitas
Yes, it CAN be done.
Brand-new rail tunnel in Encinitas makes it easier
for RESIDENTS to get to the beach
Recommendation:
The Carlsbad City Council
should consider adding scope to:
•The Carlsbad Village
Revitalization Project, and
•The Carlsbad Boulevard
Realignment Project
The added scope should address
beach and beachfront facility
improvements along the northern
beaches from Cannon Road to the
Buena Vista Lagoon.
Near Term - small, manageable
improvements such as cleanups,
signage, lighting and landscaping
Mid Term - MOU with State, bluff
stabilization, sanitation, planning
for parking and people movement,
acquisitions
Long Term – development of bluff
top from Cannon to the Lagoon as
a long, narrow city
park/promenade
It would take cooperative
effort, property acquisition
and a lot of work, but….
In 10 years, Carlsbad’s
beachfront could look like
this :
Treasure Island City Park,
Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach
Is pretty, but
we possess
the same
potential that
they started
with.
Art work can
be a
significant
contributor to
the
landscaping
plan in
Carlsbad as
well.
Beach access ramp and stairs; similar
to Pine Street vehicle access
Restrooms and showers
This could be the Carlsbad bluffs by
the power plant
.…and Pine Street and Carlsbad
Boulevard park could look like this