HomeMy WebLinkAboutLCPA 02-10; Habitat Management Plan; Local Coastal Program Amendment (LCPA) (17)c
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January 27,2003
Michael Holzmiller
Planning Director
MAYOR BUD LEWIS AND CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
CARLSBAD CITY HALL
1200 Carlsbad Village Drive
Ca rls bad , Ca I if0 rn ia 92008
RE: CARLSBAD CITY GOLF COURSE
Dear Mayor Lewis and City Councilmembers:
Your appointed Golf Course Steering Committee convened on Tuesday morning,
January 7, 2003 and received a briefing from City Planning Department staff regarding
the current status and adoption schedule for the proposed Carlsbad Habitat
Management Plan (“HMP”). At this same meeting, the Committee also received a
briefing from City Recreation Department staff regarding the numerous proposed
changes to the routing of the municipal golf course negotiated with the California
Coastal Commission staff over the last two years.
With respect to the Carlsbad City Golf Course Project, the Committee has reviewed the
proposed routing changes. It is the opinion of the Committee the Golf Course Project,
as modified, will continue to be a very high quality, public golf course which the City of
Carlsbad can and should be proud. We have every faith the City will utilize the services
of an equally high quality operator to manage the maintenance and operation of this
public facility in a business like manner with the goals of accessibility and affordability to
Carls bad res iden ts.
City staff indicated the changes proposed would yield endorsement in support of the
City Golf Course Project by the Coastal Commission staff to the Coastal Commission
itself. If there remains the potential of the City of Carlsbad securing what is understood
to be the final regulatory agency approval of this project, then your Golf Course Steering
Committee strongly recommends the City Council proceed with its advancement to the
California Coastal Commission. If approved, only then will the City have a project that it
can accurately represent to its citizens as being ready to implement.
A considerable amount of time has gone by from the beginning of this project to the
present time. No single group of Carlsbad residents is more frustrated with the delay,
while at the same time more optimistic of the prospects for success, than your
appointed Golf Course Steering Committee. The Committee wishes to remind the City
Council of the 1987 citizens vote endorsing this golf course along with other recreation
projects and the taxing measure put in place to finance their development. The
Committee also wishes to remind the City Council that it was the “citizens golf group”
that led this measure to voter approval. Other than the passage of time, nothing has
changed your Committee’s firm and unwavering commitment to assist the City with
bringing public golf to the residents of our community.
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January 27,2003
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We recognize the financial risks and realities of developing a major public project such
as this in these economic times. However, the proposed Golf Course Project brings
with it a solid fee-based enterprise different from the traditional delivery of other
important municipal community services such as libraries, parks, recreation activities,
arts and cultural programs, and the like. Additionally, the Golf Course Project as
proposed will create other significant revenue generating assets which will substantially
reduce the City’s financial bottom line for developing this project. Several other cities
in Southern California and San Diego County have chosen to make the exact same
commitment to develop and finance public golf courses within their communities
identical to that proposed in Carlsbad. History has proven them to be immensely
successful; and so will Carlsbad.
Your Golf Course Steering Committee strongly recommends the City Council continue
its support for this community project and authorize its forwarding to the California
Coastal Commission for approval.
Sincerely yours,
IRVROS &qm< ON
Chairman, Carlsbad Golf Course Steering Committee
C: Committee Members
City Manager
Municipal Projects Manager