HomeMy WebLinkAboutEIR 93-02; Green Valley; Environmental Impact Report (EIR) (28)League of Women Voters
North Coast San Diego County /I
January 19, 1994
To the Xembers of the Planning Commission
City of Carlsbad
The League of Women Voters appreciates the opportunity to present some comments on the Green Valley Development Plan to members of
the Planning Commission. There are components in the plan that we especially applaud, the widening of the riparian corridor,the
plan for the bike/hike trail, and the open space gateway to Carls-
bad from Encinitas, for example.
The League of Women Voters views land as a resource, not a commodity.
We urge the Planning Cornmission to view Green Valley as a resource
when you consider this development plan,
These are s'ome of our concerns:
The southwest corner of the LaCosta-El Camino Real intersection is
not deemed suitable by city planners for a convenience store as
proposed. There can be no access from La Costa Avenue and only
limited access from El CaminoReal, which would cause traffic con-
gestion and safety problems. This property is a sensitive section
of a Special Flood Hazard Area and is adjacent to the riparian corridor of Encinitas Creek. This parcel would be appropriate park- land as part of the gateway to Carlsbad designated in the EIR along with the creek corridor. The red barn could be a visitors' center with the parking area also available at the trail staging area as included in the EIR. A Special Use Permit is not appropriate for
this corner.
League members hiked the circumference of Green Valley with the
president of Coleman Group who developed the plan for the area.
We were thrilled to see a small flock of gnat catchers flitting in
the coastal sage scrub at the base of the bluffs. Several birds flew just above the ground across the open field to Encinitas Creek, stopping on a small bush en route. How will they cross a lot full of cars to reach the riparian area of the creek? The EIR states that impacts in this area of Lot 8, where we saw the birds,
should be avoided. Their safety and that of the least Bell's vireo,
a protected species, and other wildlife in the habitat are a concern. A chain link fence between the trail along the creek and the parking
lot might better be a thick and thorny hedge. This would stop
access to the creek.
- people better than a fence but would allow birds and small animals
P.O. Box 727, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California 92007
To the Members of the Planning Commission January 19, 1994
- 2-
We draw your attention to the need for Carlsbad and Encinitas to cooperate in the North County Multiple Species Habitat Plan to protect the wildlife corridor of Encinitas Creek between
Batiquitos Lagoon and areas to the east of El Camino Real.
Access from El Camino Real into the Green Valley Development is
planned across two 36-foot pre-fabricatBd bridges, 11 feet high,
with natural bottoms beneath. These bridges do not meet with the criteria recommended for a wildlife corridor in width or height.
We urge careful planning to prevent restriction of creek flow
during high water with result'ing siltation build up, Crossings are not good for the creek. Ideally they should be limited to one with a second crossing to the Ecke property in Encinitas south of Green Valley.
It is important that Carlsbad and Encinitas plan this area to-
gether. Though traffic impact for the Green Valley plan is within the limit set in the General Plan, the impact of traffic from development in both Carlsbad and Encinitas near the intersection of El Camino and Olivenhein Road should be considered in total to prevent over-burdening El Camino Real. Traffic planning needs to be regional, not city by city.
Thank you for the opportunity to speak to your attention to League's concerns.
Co-chair, Natural Resources Committee League of Women Voters, North Coast
San Diego County