California Coastal Commission Unanimously Approves National City Balanced Plan

Download full size image

The California Coastal Commission has voted unanimously to certify a Port Master Plan Amendment (PMPA) for what’s known as the National City Balanced Plan, an important milestone in plans by the Port of San Diego and City of National City to expand park space and public access as well as improve commercial recreation and maritime uses on the National City Bayfront. For next steps, the Board of Port Commissioners must accept the certification, then the Port and City can advance implementation of the Balanced Plan and associated projects.

“We are grateful to the California Coastal Commission for its support of the National City Balanced Plan,” said Chair Danielle Moore, Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners. “The progress we have made has been anchored in tireless collaboration with the community, business leaders, and of course the City of National City. It’s about bringing more recreational opportunities to the bayfront while also streamlining and strengthening maritime operations, and we are eager to bring these projects to life.”

“I am proud of the work we have done to help create a lasting legacy for National City, the Port of San Diego, and the entire region,” said Commissioner GilAnthony Ungab. “Nearly a decade in the making, this plan balances the interests of the community and many other stakeholders, addresses public access, maritime, and recreation uses, and expands waterfront access in my community.”

The National City Bayfront is made up of 273 acres of waterfront land and 167 acres of water and includes the National City Marine Terminal, Pepper Park, Pier 32 Marina, the Aquatic Center, and many pieces of valuable public art. 

Public outreach has been an integral component of the Balanced Plan and has included small stakeholder working sessions, public meetings, and individual meetings with interested parties. The Balanced Plan, which is a land use plan for the Marina District in National City, is a result of this outreach and consists of the following:

• Expansion of Pepper Park by 2.5 acres or nearly 50 percent (from 5.19 acres to 7.69 acres).

• Realignment of Marina Way, which will serve as the buffer area between commercial recreation and maritime uses.

• East-west and north-south public access corridors, with pedestrian, bicycle, and visual access.

• Better configured/more contiguous commercial recreation and maritime uses.

In addition to the expansion of Pepper Park, other associated projects related to or dependent on approval of the Balanced Plan, are as follows:

• Road Closures Project: This project proposes the closure of Tidelands Avenue between Bay Marina Drive and West 32nd Street, and West 28th Street between Tidelands Avenue and Quay Avenue. When combined, these road closures total approximately six acres. The project would increase operating efficiencies through the elimination of certain internal fences, drive aisles, and the bifurcation of terminal operations created by these roads.

• GB Capital Project: This project proposes a recreational vehicle (RV) park, tent sites,  cabins, and the ultimate development of up to two hotels with up to 365 rooms, as well as dry boat storage. The project includes ancillary amenities such as, but not limited to, a clubhouse, pool, activity courts, and laundry facilities; as well as in-water improvements such as new dock space.

• Connector Rail Project: This project proposes a connector rail track to connect the existing rail and loop track located on the National City Marine Terminal (NCMT) to additional rail car storage spots at the existing Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) National City Yard east of the National Distribution Center. The connector rail track would connect the BNSF National City Yard directly to the existing rail loop and loading tracks on the NCMT and would allow for nearby maritime uses to have both rail and rail car storage capacity which would improve efficiencies by allowing maritime uses (e.g., Pasha Automotive Services) to have easier access to empty rail cars at the BNSF National City Yard.