The Future of the Port
The Port of San Diego has been conducting a comprehensive and inclusive Integrated Planning initiative to update our Port Master Plan, which is similar to what is known as a General Plan in a city or county. This effort spans 6,000 acres of water and land on and around San Diego Bay and is often referred to as “the future of the Port.” An updated Master Plan supports the Port's mission to develop the bay for multiple purposes and uses for the benefit of the people of the State of California. (Port Act.)
Launched in 2013 by Chair Ann Moore, the Port Master Plan Update process began with an Integrated Planning effort to ensure a holistic, thoughtful, and balanced approach to future water and land uses for generations to come. Tailored for the unique needs of the Port, it began by understanding both maritime and non-maritime uses on San Diego Bay, then looking inland to examine how the Port, San Diego Bay and the tidelands affect the entire region, including critical upland links.
This planning process is based on comprehensive analysis and investigation, all informed by extensive public outreach, including more than 300 interviews with stakeholders and agencies; 19 open houses and community meetings; 36 public Board workshops; and two online surveys with a combined total of more than 6,300 respondents.
Goals
- Balance the needs of development with those of valuable natural resources.
- Prioritize key planning features and clearly define land and water use guidelines for development, with enough built-in flexibility to be able to quickly adjust to market demands.
- Protect opportunities for public access and parks on the waterfront for all Californians and visitors to enjoy.
- Streamline the permitting process for developers, investors, and Port staff to more effectively and efficiently process projects.
Timeline/Schedule
Integrated Planning process begins with extensive public outreach, including more than 100 interviews with stakeholders and agencies, public workshops and Board of Port Commissioners meetings. HKS Urban Design Studio/Randy Morton is hired to lead Phase 1.
Vision Statement and Guiding Principles are accepted by the Board of Port Commissioners.
Framework Report is accepted by the Board in November 2015, concluding the visioning phase.
Initiation of Port Master Plan Update and scenario planning. Port staff begin working with the architectural firm, AECOM, to produce a draft updated Port Master Plan document.
- 1/10/2017: PMPU Progress Report to Board
- 3/9/2017: PMPU Public Board Workshop #1
- 3/23/17: Public Open House #1 to learn about and discuss the PMPU
- 4/12/17: PMPU EIR Scoping Meeting
- 4/27/17: PMPU Public Board Workshop #2
- 5/11/17: Public Open House #2 to learn about and discuss the PMPU
- 5/25/17: PMPU Public Board Workshop #3
- 7/11/17: PMPU Presentation to the Board
- 8/8/17: PMPU Public Board Workshop #4
- 8/10/17: Public Open House #3 - recap of 8/8/17 Board Workshop
- 10/12/17: 2017 Silver Bernays Award of Excellence – Community Relations (Port of San Diego/Nuffer Smith Tucker), Public Relations Society of America
- 11/14/17: PMPU Public Board Workshop #5
- 11/15/17: Public Open House #4 - recap of 11/14/17 Board Workshop
- 12/5/17: PMPU Public Board Workshop #6
- 12/12/17: PMPU Public Board Workshop #7
- 3/28/18: PMPU Public Board Workshop #8
- 7/17/18: PMPU Public Board Workshop #9
- 8/14/18: PMPUPublic Board Presentation and Discussion
- 11/1/18: PMPU Public Board special meeting - Environmental Justice Policy Considerations
- 12/13/18: Port Seeks Input on Embarcadero Planning District Via Online Survey
- 12/18/18: PMPU Public Board Presentation and Discussion
- 1/30/19: Public Open House #5 - Embarcadero Planning District
- 2/12/19: PMPU Board Workshop #10
- 2/25/19: PMPU Board Workshop #11
- 3/14/19: PMPU Board Workshop #12
- 4/25/19: PMPU Discussion Draft released for 90-day public review period
- 4/30/19: PMPU Board Workshop #13
- 6/6/19: Community Discussion Event #1 - Port of San Diego Administration Building
- 6/12/19: Community Discussion Event #2 - La Mesa Community Center
- 6/20/19: Community Discussion Event #3 - Palomar College Rancho Bernardo Education Center
- 6/27/19: Community Discussion Event #4 - Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve
- 7/15/19: Community Discussion Event #5 - Coronado Community Center
- 8/28/19: Community Discussion Event #6 - Portuguese Hall in Point Loma
- 9/16/19: Board of Port Commissioners Meeting - Manchester Grand Hyatt
Current Schedule:
- March: Release revised draft of the Port Master Plan Update for public review
- July: Release draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for public review
- November/December: Seek Board of Port Commissioners certification of Final EIR and PMPU approval
- December: Begin California Coastal Commission certification process
Award-Winning Outreach
Recent awards for this initiative include:
- 2018 Gold International MarCom Award, PMPU Public Outreach & Engagement (Category: Strategic Communications, Communications/Public Relations – Communications Program) Association of Marketing and Communications Professionals
- 2018 Award of Excellence - Community Education/Outreach (Port Master Plan Update), American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA)
- 2018 (CAPIO) Excellence in Public Information and Communications (EPIC) Award
- 2017 Silver Bernays Award of Excellence for Community Relations
- 2017 National Environmental Excellence Award, National Association of Environmental Professionals
- 2016 National Planning Excellence Award for a Planning Advocate (Commissioner Ann Moore), American Planning Association
- 2016 Silver Bernays Award of Excellence – Public Affairs (Cook and Schmid), Public Relations Society of America
- 2016 President’s Award (HKS Urban Design Studio/Randy Morton), American Institute of Architects San Diego
PMPU Discussion Draft
On April 25, 2019, the Port released a Discussion Draft of the Port Master Plan Update (PMPU) for a 90-day public review period, which ended on Wednesday, July 31, 2019. The Discussion Draft includes and addresses allowable uses and activities, future development, and management of water and land within the Port's jurisdiction on and around San Diego Bay. It is available for review by clicking on the link below, or a hard copy is available to review at the District Clerk's Office located at 3165 Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA 92101.
REVIEW THE PORT Master Plan Update Discussion DraFT
Comments Received on Discussion Draft at 90-Day Mark
Comments Received on Discussion Draft After 90-Day Mark
Thank you for your comments on the PMPU Discussion Draft
If you have question about the Port Master Plan Update, please email PMPU@portofsandiego.org or mail to the Port of San Diego, Attn: Planning Department, 3165 Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA, 92101.