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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-02-26; Senior Commission; ; COMMISSION COMMENTS TO PROPOSED GENERAL PLAN UPDATEz 0 i== (.) <( z 0 U) U) -:E :E 0 (.) AB# 0215-3 MTG. DATE: 02/26/15 STAFF: GRANSE RECOMMENDED ACTION: SENIOR COMMISSION -AGENDA BILL COMMISSION COMMENTS TO PROPOSED GENERAL PLAN UPDATE □ INFO [R) ACTION Commission to consider draft statement and possible submission to City Council related to the General Plan update. ITEM EXPLANATION: In March, 2014, the Carlsbad Senior Commission received an informational presentation from the Community and Economic Development Department regarding proposed updates to the Carlsbad General Plan. In an effort to provide advisory comments regarding this presentation, specifically in relation to issues pertaining to the senior population, the Senior Commission will consider a draft statement and possible submission to City Council. EXHIBITS: 1. Draft of statements DRAFT February, 2015 TO: Carlsbad City Council DRAFT FROM: Carlsbad Senior Commission Kevin Min Jack Nelson Ray Pearson Sheri Sachs David Tweedy RE: Treatment of Senior Issues in Proposed General Plan Update DRAFT As Chapter 2.38 of the city code indicates, the Carlsbad Senior Commission has the responsibility to "make recommendations to the city council and to advise the city council on special needs and concerns of seniors ... ". With that responsibility in mind, the Senior Commission heard a presentation by city staff on the Draft General Plan, dated February, 2014, and has considered the written draft plan. One Commission member submitted a response in June, 2014, providing individual comments that identified some key areas of concern to seniors that the draft plan did not address. Because the revised draft plan is now due to come to the Council for action and we have not seen any revisions, the Senior Commission offers its advice that the Council should consider the draft carefully to see if concerns of seniors, as suggested herein, are adequately accommodated. Following is a summary of the context for our interests and our major concerns about the Draft Plan. Context. Carlsbad's understandably strong reputation as a fine place to live is enhanced when the needs and positive interests of all are incorporated in future planning. A series of population studies over the past decade show that the proportion of Carlsbad senior citizens is increasing and is expected to continue to do so. A revised General Plan should incorporate these changing city demographics and indicate provisions that serve well the expanding senior population, while assuring that Carlsbad retains and improves its excellent qualities of life for all citizens. It is within this context that the Senior Commission notes that the Draft General Plan essentially ignores senior citizens in areas where treatment of senior interests would seem obvious. There is no inclusion in the "Goals and Policies" section, and no identification of proposed action on senior interests, needs, and desires in the section discussing --Key Strategies", the category apparently used to identify recommendations for action. For example (using Draft Plan Items): Item 2. Land Use. There is no evidence of consideration of convenient access tor seniors to public transit and transit centers. Housing strategies do not show how senior living is improved in regard to location, size, or available activities. Improved beach access for all is noted, but there is no special consideration of the needs of seniors ( and the disabled, some of whom are seniors), e.g., in regard to steep inclines at some beach areas. Item 3. Mobility. Convenient mass transit is barely touched in the Draft Plan, yet it is a serious concern for seniors. Improvements for cars, bicycles, and parking are noted, but no mention is made of the need for a far more adequate mass transit system with convenience for seniors and the disabled. One express bus for airport traffic is the only new route identified. Item 4. Open Space, Recreation. There is no apparent consideration of senior facilities and programs to serve all parts of the city. This section cites the idea that all facilities and programs become "self-sufficient", which does not accommodate seniors and others on very limited budgets. No grounds are presented for this idea, and no mitigating circumstances are suggested. Item 6. Public Safety. There are no statements on special plans for safety for seniors and the disabled in the event of fire, flood, earthquake or other disaster. Item 7. Arts, History, Education. There is no specific inclusion of the Senior Center and senior programs, or of senior participation, in the proposal for "lifelong learning". The Senior Commission supports intergenerational activities, but this section does not treat that. The Senior Center is not even included in a list of city resources, like libraries, for these purposes. Item I 0. Housing. There is no reference to the demographic projections on increased proportions of senior citizens, beyond note of a higher median age in Carlsbad. The plan should indicate the relationship between those trends and proposed general plan approaches for senior housing. Even if the demographics do not develop as projected, current Carlsbad seniors and near-seniors deserve better consideration in planning housing: location, size, convenience, safety, and other factors of importance to senior citizens. Essentially, the Senior Commission would like a new general plan to include specific provisions for senior citizens in areas like transportation, health, recreation, housing, intellectual stimulation, safety, and other needs and interests. We recommend that the City Council seriously consider these and related senior matters as the Draft General Plan is examined, and before it is approved.