Port of San Diego Adopts Transition Zone Policy

Thursday, 12 June 2008
Contact: Marguerite Elicone (619) 686-6222

The Board of Port Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution to adopt a transition zone policy at the June 10 Board of Port Commissioners meeting. The policy will help protect land required for maritime industry and provide a transition to adjoining residential areas.

Areas in the transition zone include the northern boundary of the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal in San Diego, south to the Sweetwater Channel and east from the Port tidelands to the adjacent residential neighborhoods. The transition zone's widths will vary to accommodate city community and development plans.

Key principles of the transition zone policy include providing mandated separations between industrial and residential land uses to help safeguard the environmental health of the regional neighborhoods and residents.

Supporters of the policy include members of the Working Waterfront Group, an alliance of waterfront businesses, union members, the Environmental Health Coalition, the San Diego Port Tenants Association and the Port of San Diego. The Working Waterfront Group has already begun working with Port member cities on establishing zoning regulations.

"By establishing this policy, we are protecting 42,000 jobs and at the same time, respecting residents and neighbors by helping them live in a healthier environment," said former Port commissioner Bill Hall, a member of the Working Waterfront Group.

The transition zone policy will allow the Port of San Diego to establish a position on the issue of gentrification. It is intended to provide a framework for implementation of other gentrification strategies relating to acquisition of properties, easements and legislative actions regarding the areas within the zone.

Also heard at the June 10 Board of Port Commissioners meeting:

• Board Approves $213,277 to Fund Four Environmental Projects
• Former Reuben E. Lee Restaurant on Harbor Island to be Renovated
• Memorandum of Understanding with the San Diego Air Pollution Control District to Administer Truck Retrofit and Replacement Program Approved

Board Approves $213,277 to Fund Four Environmental Projects

The Board of Port Commissioners approved four new environmental projects that were recommended for funding by the Port's Environmental Committee. The projects would receive a total of $213,277 from the environmental fund, which was established to help pay for projects aimed at improving the condition of San Diego Bay and its surrounding tidelands.

The approved projects include leasing five alternative fuel vehicles for the Harbor Police department, contributing to the purchase of eight hybrid vehicles to be used by Pasha Automotive Services as fleet cars at the National City Marine Terminal, providing funding to the Chula Vista Nature Center for its light-footed clapper rail propagation program and replacing existing light fixtures at the Port's National City Marine Terminal with more energy efficient lighting.

Former Reuben E. Lee Restaurant on Harbor Island to be Renovated

A proposal for a new restaurant on Harbor Island was approved by the Board of Port Commissioners. Sunroad Harbor Island, Inc., a subsidiary of Sunroad Enterprises, presented designs for a $9 million renovation of the former Reuben E. Lee floating restaurant. The proposed project includes completely renovating and remodeling the former Reuben E. Lee, which was constructed in 1969 on top of a barge. The new design is a smaller and more efficient use of the former restaurant's space. It includes an outdoor area for events, plus bar and banquet facilities to be located on land next to the barge. The developer intends for the project to be LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certified.

The restaurant is being designed by local architectural firm Graham Downes Architecture. The firm has designed several successful local restaurants including Nine-Ten, Chive, Laurel and Pasquale. The new restaurant will be operated by partners David and Lesley Cohn and chef/partner Deborah Scott.

In addition to the restaurant, the project includes significant enhancements to public access bordering the site. Landscaping, lighting, signage, paving and utilities will be improved.

Construction is anticipated to begin late next year and should take about two years.

Memorandum of Understanding with the San Diego Air Pollution Control District to Administer Truck Retrofit and Replacement Program Approved

The Board of Port Commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding with the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District to implement a truck retrofit and replacement program. The program addresses emissions originating from trucks servicing the Port's two maritime terminals. Grant funding in the amount of $2.9 million is available from the state's Goods Movement Emissions Reduction Plan to fund the program that would retrofit trucks with a diesel particulate filter or completely replace older model trucks. The California Air Resources Board is the state agency implementing the emissions reduction plan and the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District is the local agency responsible for administering the funding.

Under the plan, trucks eligible for retrofitting would get up to half of the cost without exceeding $5,000 reimbursed through the California Air Resources Board. The Port of San Diego would match that contribution up to $5,000. The plan also will provide up to $50,000 from the California Air Resources Board to replace an older model truck with a new truck. The Port would match that amount up to $50,000.

The approximate total cost of the Port's funding is $1.15 million. A portion of that will go to the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District to administer the program.

Letters were recently sent out to the 364 truck owners that do business at the Port's Tenth Avenue and National City Marine Terminals. The letters included information on the truck retrofit and replacement program.

The Port of San Diego and the San Diego Air Pollution Control District will hold a public outreach meeting for interested truck owners at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, June 16 at the Port of San Diego Administration Building.