Port Planning Projects

North Embarcadero Port Master Plan Amendment

Overview

In 2009, the Port began the process of amending Planning District 3, Centre City Embarcadero, of the Port Master Plan (PMP). The purpose of the Port Master Plan amendment (PMPA) is to incorporate the former Navy Pier into the PMP boundary, to clarify intended development and uses within Planning District 3 and to improve internal consistency of the PMP. The proposed North Embarcadero PMPA will result in a clearer, simple, and consistent PMP for the North Embarcadero portions of the Centre City Embarcadero Planning District (Planning District 3) through modifications to the text, tables, and graphics. The anticipated components of the PMPA include the following:

• Adjust the PMP boundary to incorporate Navy Pier
• Assign land use designation(s) and future projects to the Navy Pier, including a park
• Remove references and graphic providing a new curvilinear pier at Grape Street
• Change Commercial Recreation use on B Street Pier to Marine Terminal use
• Incorporate the constraints of homeland security requirements on maritime facilities and public access
• Incorporate a bayfront shuttle
• Incorporate "youth hostel" as a permitted use
• Specify excursion facility locations
• Recognize the G Street Mole Park as a "memorial park"
• Assign development parameters and standards to 1220 Pacific Highway
• Incorporate Port Geographic Information Systems (GIS) into the delineation and area calculations throughout Planning District 3
• Incorporate other PMP modifications (i.e., text, land use and graphic modifications) to Planning District 3, as needed or identified through the public participation process.

The PMPA process will include environmental review, stakeholder outreach, identification and analysis of alternatives, and feasibility studies.

What is the Port Master Plan?

The Port Master Plan (PMP) provides a planning tool to guide future Port development and to ensure that projects and developments within the Port are consistent with the California Coastal Act.   The PMP contains the official planning policies, consistent with a general statewide purpose, and land and water use designations that guide physical development of the tidelands and submerged lands conveyed and granted in trust to the San Diego Unified Port District.

Why is the Port Master Plan being amended?

Periodic amendments to the PMP are necessary to modify development goals and objectives in light of current conditions, needs and forecasts.

Environmental Review

Port staff has determined that, in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), an environmental impact report (EIR) will need to be prepared for the proposed PMPA.

Current Status

The EIR is in early stages of preparation; however, the Port is still in the process of refining all that should be included in the PMPA and addressed in the EIR. While the formal scoping comment period for purposes of CEQA has ended, the Port wishes to continue outreach and solicit input form the community and stakeholders. Please continue to check this website for more information on future outreach workshops for the public to come and be a part of this planning effort. Our anticipated period for these workshops is late February / early March 2010.

History

November 4, 2009

Comment period ends for Notice of Preparation.

• Comment Letters on Notice of Preparation

October 15, 2009

A public scoping meeting was held to obtain public input regarding the scope and content of the environmental information to be included in the EIR, as well as reasonable mitigation or alternatives that could address potential environmental issues.

• Information Handout from Scoping Meeting
• Public Comments from Scoping Meeting

October 6, 2009

The Board of Port Commissioners authorized commencement of environmental review. Notice of Preparation (NOP) issued.

• Powerpoint Presentation to the Board of Port Commissioners – Commencement of Environmental Review for North Embarcadero Port Master Plan Amendment Project
• 10/6/09 North Embarcadero PMPA Agenda Sheet for Board of Port Commissioners Meeting
• Notice of Preparation of Environmental Impact Report

Future Opportunities for Public Comment

• Public Outreach Workshops (dates to be determined)
• Draft EIR (45 day public review period)
• Board of Port Commissioners Certification of EIR and Adoption of PMPA
• Coastal Commission Certification of PMPA