Report From OB Planning Board: Wireless at St. Peter’s Parking Lot, Update on Terminal 1, and Bylaw Changes

September 11, 2023 by Staff

By Geoff Page

The agenda item that generated the longest discussion at the Ocean Beach Planning Board meeting, Wednesday, September 6, illustrated that long-running concerns about wireless transmissions and health are still alive and kicking.

There was also an interesting update on San Diego Airport’s Terminal One construction progress. And, there was a discussion of by-laws changes that need to be made to have the OBPB “recognized” next year by the city as the planning group for OB.

DISH Wireless

DISH was seeking approval for a wireless project located in a parking lot of St. Peter’s by the sea Lutheran Church. The church sits on a large lot bounded by Point Loma Ave., Sunset Cliffs Blvd., Adair Street, and an alley on the east side. There is a parking lot across the alley next to the laundromat that belongs to the church.

The work involves placing two 30-foot-tall light standards with DISH equipment at the top in a “24 by 24” enclosure. The original design for a “48 x 48” enclosure was down-sized when the OBPB Project Review subcommittee criticized it by saying it looked like a refrigerator on a tall stick.

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The 3 Design Concepts for the Ocean Beach Pier

September 11, 2023 by Source

Here are the preliminary design concepts for the OB Pier unveiled at a workshop on Saturday.

We offer now only renderings and the brief descriptions of the different designs by the city, without comment.

Preliminary Design Concept #1 – The Squint Test

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San Diego to Sue SeaWorld for Failure to Pay Back Rent of Over $12 Million Today … or Maybe Tomorrow

September 7, 2023 by Source

It seems we’ve been hearing for months now that San Diego will move on SeaWorld for not paying back rent and penalties of over $12 million it owes the city. And now we’re told that if SeaWorld missed its midnight deadline, the city will sue for breach of contract. Here’s the latest by U-T reporter Jennifer van Grove in Wednesday’s edition.

By Jennifer van Grove / SDU-T / Sept. 6, 2023

The city of San Diego will Thursday move forward with a breach-of-contract lawsuit against SeaWorld San Diego if the theme park fails to meet a midnight deadline to pay $12.2 million in outstanding rent and penalties, the city attorney’s office said Wednesday.

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‘Oh Well’ Is Way Past its Time  

September 7, 2023 by Ernie McCray

by Ernie McCray

We seem to be a country
that looks at its most pressing
social and political problems
with mystified eyes
and shoulder shrugs
that say
“Oh well.”
Like we dismiss
the nation’s propensity
for mass murders
that break hearts in two
with a prayer or two
and get right back
to whatever it is we do.

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Greenpeace Ship in Town to Shine Light on Human Rights Abuses in Seafood Industry – Especially By Bumble Bee

September 7, 2023 by Source

By Ken Stone / Times of San Diego / Sept. 6, 2023

Ten years after Greenpeace saw one of its ships seized by Russia, the same 166-foot icebreaker is docked at San Diego’s Broadway Pier.

The mission of the Arctic Sunrise is less dangerous this time.

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Point Loma’s Roseville Walking Tour — Sat., Sept.9

September 7, 2023 by Source

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The Best Idea: Neither Biden nor Trump

September 7, 2023 by Source

Colleen O’Connor’s views are her own and do not necessarily reflect those of the OB Rag.

By Colleen O’Connor

In December of last year, I posted a prediction: “Neither Biden nor Trump will be elected the U.S. President in 2024.”

I stand by those postings.  Now some very prominent politicians and strategists are beginning to agree. New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu said, “there’s a ‘good shot’ neither Biden nor Trump will be on the 2024 ballot.”

Add Senator, Tim Kaine (D-Va.) who declared that there is a “powerful argument” to be made that the 14th Amendment disqualifies former President Trump from even running in 2024.

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Troubles at Correia – Parents Threaten Sit-Out Due to Safety Concerns

September 7, 2023 by Frank Gormlie

Parents of students at Correia Middle School threatened a “sit-out” for Thursday morning after they were dissatisfied with the response by school officials over an alleged gun threat and allegations of sexual harassment of girl students by a group of boys, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.

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Ocean Beach and Point Loma News — Early September 2023

September 6, 2023 by Frank Gormlie

3 Design Alternatives for OB Pier Replacement to Be Presented at Public Workshop Sat, Sept. 9

The city of San Diego says three initial design alternatives for a planned replacement of the Ocean Beach Pier will be presented during a public workshop Saturday, Sept. 9.

Summer Moratorium on Vendors Lifted: Vendors Allowed on Newport Between Abbott and Sunset Cliffs Blvd

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OB Planning Board to Consider Drastic Changes to Bylaws at Tonight’s Meeting – Wed., Sept 6

September 6, 2023 by Frank Gormlie

At tonight’s OB Planning Board meeting, the board will consider a number of drastic recommendations being made by an ad hoc sub-committee. The sub-committee was established to figure out how the Board can comply with the city’s new draconian demands and to make suggestions for changes to the Board’s rules, their bylaws.

The bylaw recommendations, to put it mildly, if implemented, would be the most radical shake-up of the Ocean Beach Planning Board since its inception in 1976.

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House of Ukraine Festival in Balboa Park

September 6, 2023 by Source

On Sunday, Sept 3, our good friend Byron Morton visited the House of Ukraine at Balboa Park’s International Cottages for the Ukraine Festival. It was “a celebration of culture, with dance, music and food,” he told us in an email with attached photos of the festival.

House of Ukraine has its own small cottage in the heart of Balboa Park furnished and manned by members of their organization. It presents exhibits about their culture, history and traditions. All work is done by unpaid volunteers. The cottage is open on Sundays from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

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McDonald’s in the Midway Closes for Re-Modeling

September 5, 2023 by Source

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OB Pier Renewal Workshop No.3 — Sat., Sept.9

September 5, 2023 by Source

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A History of the Cannabis Lobby in San Diego

September 5, 2023 by Source

Roll up for Cannabis Equity

By Terrie Best

10 years ago, a party celebrating the 17-year anniversary of medical cannabis proposition 215 was held at SeedleSs in Ocean Beach.

At that gathering, hosted by the San Diego Chapter of Americans for Safe Access, SDASA, our city’s current cannabis retail permitting ordinance sprouted into life.  A few years before that, city cannabis retail operators had already stopped one ordinance by way of an arguably misguided peoples’ referendum petition. By city charter, we had to wait at least a year to try again for permission to use city land to sell cannabis.

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OB Planning Board Meeting: Dish Wireless at St. Peter’s, Bylaw Changes to Bend to City’s Draconian Rules, Terminal 1 Update — Wed., Sept.6

September 5, 2023 by Staff

The Ocean Beach Planning Board meets Wednesday night, Sept. 6 at the OB Rec Center at 6 pm.

There is one project on the agenda. St. Peter’s By-the-Sea at 1371 Sunset Cliffs Blvd has submitted an application for a conditional use permit and coastal development permit to install a Dish Wireless with 3 panel antennas and 6 remote radio units and a bunch of ancillary equipment.When the Project Review Committee looked at the application on Aug. 16, they decided not to make any recommendation and simply forwarded the issue to the full Board without a denial or approval. (See agenda below) Here are the documents : Dish Wireless – 1371 Sunset Cliffs Blvd

An update on the airport’s Terminal 1 project will also be provided by a rep from the Airport Authority.

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As South San Diego County Cities Enact Camping Bans, the Unhoused Will Be Pushed to the Border. Now There’s an Idea – A Short Satire

September 1, 2023 by Frank Gormlie

When the city of San Diego enforced its ban on homeless encampments, neighboring cities like Chula Vista experienced an influx of unhoused people.

Sebastian Martinez, the executive director of a Chula Vista-based nonprofit that provides homeless services for the South Bay, told 7SanDiego:

“We’ve already seen, even in the weeks leading up to the actual announcement of San Diego’s camping ban, a huge influx of folks, folks that aren’t from Chula Vista, National City or IB.”

And now Chula Vista, the county’s second-largest city, is considering its own homeless camping ban.

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1928 Home in Point Loma Designated as Historic Resource

September 1, 2023 by Source

At their July 2023 meeting, the City of San Diego Historical Resources Board designated two homes as historic, including one in Point Loma.

The home is at 2304 Plum Street.

Here’s the description from SOHO writer Ann Jarmusch in their September/October 2023 online newsletter:

2304 Plum Street, Peninsula Community, is a one-story Spanish Colonial Revival style home built in 1928.

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Red Sky at Night – Gardener’s Delight

September 1, 2023 by Source

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September 2023 Events from the Ocean Beach Green Center

September 1, 2023 by Source

All events are online and free unless stated otherwise

* Sept 7th, 14th and 21st Thursdays, 4 pm – 6 pm  demonstrations against the September Air Show

* Sept 7th Thursday 5:30 pm Webinar Seeding Connections by California Native Plant Society

* Sept 9th Saturday 5 pm -8 pm Fall Preview by San Diego Audubon Society Agua Hedionda Lagoon Discovery Center

* September 9th Saturday 11 am – 3:30 pm The Black in Front Summit
* September 9th Saturday 3 pm Amnesty International Group 137 San Diego.

* September 9th Saturday 7 pm Doors of Change Concert of Hope

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Restaurant Review: Social Thai in Ocean Beach

August 31, 2023 by Judi Curry

Restaurant Review

Social Thai
1830 Sunset Cliffs Blvd., Ste A
Ocean Beach 92107
619-228-9928
www.socialthaikitchen.com

By Judi Curry

One of the greatest things about being a restaurant reviewer are the calls I receive telling me about great (or not so great) experiences had at our local restaurants.

Last week I received a call from Margaret telling me of the wonderful soup she had at the “Social Thai” on Sunset Cliffs Blvd.  I used to eat at the Thai restaurant that was there before, so was very curious about the new one and told Margaret I would let her know when I was going to review it.

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Urban Art Takeover Coming to San Diego – Saturday Night, Sept.2

August 31, 2023 by Source

A fantastic large-scale San Diego arts and culture event is coming up on Saturday night, September 2nd.

The event is ENVZN Urban Art Takeover and features more than 50 artists and a dozen performing groups from San Diego and Tijuana.

It will transform two city blocks of warehouses and urban spaces in Logan Heights with film, theatre, dance, visual arts, music, fashion and more.  It is being put on by Vanguard Culture, a San Diego 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

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‘Parking for me, but not for thee’

August 31, 2023 by Source

From Neighbors for a Better San Diego

Mayor Gloria and our City Council members clearly agree that parking in San Diego is scarce and expensive. Why else would they expect reserved and greatly discounted parking in the city-owned structure right next to City Hall?

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Developers Building ADUs Could Be Responsible for Huge Slowdown in San Diego Apartment Construction

August 31, 2023 by Frank Gormlie

San Diego Axios, a brand new online daily platform for the metro region, is reporting that ” developers taking advantage of recent city policy changes meant to spur accessory dwelling unit production could be part of the decline” in San Diego’s apartment construction this year.

Let’s grab a hold of this statement from Elyse Lowe, director of San Diego’s development services department, reported by Andrew Keatts — but this seems significant.

The whole point of the city’s push for ADUs was to increase development of in-fill small houses to alleviate San Diego’s crisis in housing. For the last several years, ADU construction has been given the green light by the development services department – and local community planning groups no longer have much discretion in reviewing them.

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10% of Pilots Are Killed in Air Shows or Practices — Join Vets for Peace to Stop Blue Angels from Flying Over Our City — Thurs., Aug.31

August 30, 2023 by Source

Yes, ten percent of the pilots who fly in air shows are killed in either shows or practices.

The San Diego Veterans For Peace, in collaboration with many other local pro-climate groups, are asking the US Marines to stop the Blue Angels from flying over our city. Their proposed September Air Show is an egregious waste of fossil fuel and is contributing to the climate crisis.

The Department of Defense and the US military has long ago identified the climate crisis as our biggest national threat, so we demand that the Marines get on board with that fact and cancel the show. Our 2023 demonstrations against the September Air Show will be on the Carroll Canyon overpass to Interstate 15 from 4 PM to 6 PM on the following days:

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Paradise Point in Mission Bay Accused by Coastal Commission of Suppressing Public Access

August 30, 2023 by Source

By Andrew Chamings / SFGate / Aug 29, 2023

A luxury four-star resort on San Diego’s Mission Bay shoreline has been accused of suppressing public access to a beautiful stretch of California sand.

A California Coastal Commission report reviewed by SFGATE accuses Paradise Point Resort of numerous violations that “impede public use of the area and reinforce the impression that the entire area was private.”

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San Diego County Marine Protected Areas Are Working

August 30, 2023 by Source

In a report just for subscribers, journalist Ana Ramirez at the San Diego Union-Tribune today asked, “San Diego’s marine preserves limit fishing to protect sea life. Could boundary changes be coming?” Here are some excerpts from her report:

The underwater park off Encinitas is one of 11 of San Diego County’s marine protected areas, which were established about 10 years ago in an effort to restore waters depleted from overfishing and to preserve marine ecosystems. A decade later, California Fish and Wildlife is examining if that effort is working. The results of a 10-year review released in January indicated it was,

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San Diego Planners Are Wrong About the Scale of SB-10 and the Residents Who Fought It Are Right

August 30, 2023 by Source

By Geoffrey Hueter / San Diego U-T Op-Ed / August 28, 2023

Much of the commentary following the rejection and removal of the proposed Senate Bill 10 implementation from Mayor Todd Gloria’s Housing Action Package has focused on the imagined outcomes of SB 10 rather than looking at the specifics of the proposed regulations.

It is therefore important to clarify what the issues were and why San Diego residents were right to push back against SB 10. Fundamentally, the problem with the proposed SB 10 implementation was that San Diego did not heed the intended purpose and scale of the state law.

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It’s Nice Having Sha’Carri Back

August 29, 2023 by Ernie McCray

by Ernie McCray

Sha’Carri Richardson.
I just love that young woman.
Watching her win the hundred
in a World Track Championship
puts a smile on my face
like the one she planted there
when I first saw her race,

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Scripps Researchers to Develop Tool to Forecast Ocean Pollution

August 29, 2023 by Source

By Erik Anderson / KPBS / August 29, 2023

California is investing $3 million in an effort to allow researchers to predict when and where ocean waters near Imperial Beach may be contaminated.

The ocean off the coast of Imperial Beach has suffered decades of contamination which includes trash, toxic chemicals and untreated sewage runoff.

Last week, homes in Imperial Beach, Chula Vista, San Diego and on the Silver Strand were under a boil-water order because a test sample came back positive for E. coli contamination.

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Endangered Ridgway’s Rails to Be Released Today — Tues., Aug.29 — in Mission Bay

August 29, 2023 by Source

On Tuesday, August 29th, US Fish and Wildlife Service will release a batch of rusty-colored birds with long orange bills, called Ridgway’s Rail, at the UC San Diego Natural Reserve System’s Kendall-Frost Marsh.

Ridgway’s Rail are federally- and state-endangered, primarily due to the loss of its coastal habitat. They live in saltmarsh wetland with lush and tall vegetation often
composed of cordgrass and pickleweed. Once they are established in a tidal wetland, they spend their whole life there foraging, breeding and nesting.

The USFWS has a Ridgway’s Rail breeding program located at the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

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