OB Town Council Meeting June 25: “Mallow-Out” the Marshmallow Wars and Update on Community Plan Campaign

OBceans are invited to attend the next Ocean Beach Town Council meeting this Wednesday, June 25 at 7pm.

At the top of their agenda is the Town Council’s campaign to “Mallow-Out” and end the Marshmallow War.

There will also be an update on the Ocean Beach Community Plan, which goes to City Council on June 30th for consideration of approval (see below for more details on both these items).

The meeting takes place  at the Masonic Center located at 1711 Sunset Cliffs Boulevard.

The OB Town Council hosts public meetings on the 4th Wednesday every month. Regular speakers include local leaders, political, business and law enforcement representatives, as well as members from all corners of the Ocean Beach community. Whether you’re a long-time OB-cean or just want to learn more about OB, all are welcome!

Click here for the Agenda.

The following is taken from the OBTC webpage:

OB Town Council: Take the Pledge to “Mallow-Out” and Join Effort to End the Marshmallow War

Please sign the Pledge to “Mallow-Out” and End the Marshmallow War!

The OBTC is also looking for additional volunteers for the Peace Patrol to collect marshmallows from beach-goers and tourists in the hours leading up to the 4th of July fireworks. Sign up here. You can also learn more about this effort at our OB Town Council meeting on Wednesday.

Another beautiful OB summer is just around the corner. With the warm weather, gorgeous natural scenery, and OB’s classic beach-town vibe, tourists and locals alike will soon be flocking to our shores.

That’s why it is so important for the OB community to always put our best foot forward and keep our visitors coming back year after year. The 4th of July is one of those days when we have the opportunity to show off all that OB has to offer to thousands of tourists. However, over the last few years, we have seen first-hand the trouble caused by the unregulated tradition of the “marshmallow war” after the fireworks show.

 Last year, the Ocean Beach Town Council responded to an overwhelming call from OB residents and business owners to put an end to the “war.” Residents asked the Town Council to take action because bystanders – including a child and a senior citizen – were injured in the melee, businesses were damaged, and more than 2,000 pounds of trash were left behind on the beach and Veterans Plaza. The cleanup cost thousands of dollars and the negative publicity lasted for days. Our resolution calling for an end to the “war” passed by unanimous vote.

OBTC Resolution

Read the official resolution passed unanimously by the Ocean Beach Town Council.

Morning-after mess clean-up

Although the notorious Marshmallow War has been cancelled, please lend a hand in keeping our community – and environment -clean. Join us and Surfrider Foundation to help cleanup our community the morning after from 8:00am-11:00am on July 5th!

Support Local Businesses That Take the Pledge

Please support businesses that promote the beautification and betterment of Ocean Beach by signing the Mallow Out Pledge and agreeing not to sell marshmallows before – or on – the Fourth of July. Visit our Facebook page for a list of local businesses that have taken the pledge.

Check out Fox 5’s coverage of our campaign.

Support the Community Plan – from OBTC webpage:

Sign the Petition to Support the OB Community Plan and Preserve Our Small-Scale Character

The Ocean Beach Community Plan is nearing the end of an update process that has lasted 12 years and 5 mayoral administrations.

This plan sets forth guidelines for development in Ocean Beach for the foreseeable future.

Please print out and sign the Petition to Support the OB Community Plan!

 The draft Community Plan maintains and enhances the established nature of Ocean Beach residential neighborhoods, and encourages mixed commercial/ residential development in the commercial district. It maintains our small-scale character of Ocean Beach with unobstructed and accessible beach frontage, and it promotes a pedestrian-friendly community.

 Unfortunately, on May 29th, the City of San Diego Planning Commission undermined the intent of the Ocean Beach Community Plan. Their recommended change removed references to OB’s Floor Area Ratio (FAR), a code element followed for over 30 years which has been crucial to OB’s small-scale character. FAR is a limit on the allowable square footage of development on a lot.

 The Planning Commission’s revision could expose OB to bulky overdevelopment.

 The Draft Community Plan is the result of broad community participation and consensus, and is endorsed by the following organizations: OB Planning Board, OB Town Council, OB Mainstreet Association, OB Historical Society, Friends of the OB Library, OB Community Foundation, OB Community Development Corporation.

 Please sign the Petition to Support the OB Community Plan. Ways to submit this petition:

 (A) Scan and send electronically by June 29 to petition@oceanbeachplanning.org
(B) Drop it off no later than June 29 at the Dog Beach Dog Wash, 4933 Voltaire St, San Diego CA 92107.

The San Diego City Council will consider adoption of the OB Community Plan on June 30th at 2:00pm. Please attend this hearing, wear blue to show support for the plan, and speak in favor of the OB Community Plan!