I've been busy asking organizations and politicians to respond to our attempts to keep the the public beaches around Bahia Point in Mission Bay public..and here are some of the responses I have gotten.
I got a call from Congressman Scott Peters office. they said it's a local matter, so they won't comment on it....yet. I said anyone anywhere in Southern California is affected by this land loss and they said if the subject becomes a major issue...they will respond...let's make this a major issue!
I contacted the California Coastal Commission and got this response:
"I was forwarded your email regarding the pending Bahia development. We are aware of the plans for expansion of the hotel and changes to the leasehold, all which will require approval of a coastal development permit from the Coastal Commission. At this time, the development is still under review by the City of San Diego, and will come to the Coastal Commission for approval at a some future date. Alex Llerandi, copied on this email, is the planner in this office who will be reviewing the project, and he can give you more information on the project and the process when he returns from vacation next week"
I contacted 2 candidates who are running against Lorie Zaph who is the incumbent in District 2 (Lorie voted in favor of giving away the public access) here are their responses:
Bryan Pease wrote this: "I’m on your side and against the hotel! Zapf is bankrolled by hoteliers..."
Dr Jen Campbell wrote this: "I have been aware of the situation with the Bahia since the approval it received in January. My partner is a paddle boarder, so this issue strikes close to home. Sadly, the plan and it's EIR are both over 20 years old and do not take into account the changes that have happened in Mission Bay and how it is used. I've made maintaining the beauty of our beaches and bays a cornerstone of my campaign and I will fight to defend public access to them. The city council needs to re-evaluate this proposal with new eyes instead of relying on outdated decisions and documents."
I did write to incumbent Lorie Zaph more than once, but I (nor several others who wrote to her). have yet to get a response.
The District 2 election is coming up in early June.
Some pictures of the area at risk and of one of the protests are below.
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