By Geoff Page / OB Rag

The Midway/Pacific Highway Community Planning Group regular Wednesday monthly meeting, held at the San Diego City College – West City Campus on Fordham Street on March 15th, was abbreviated because of a lack of action items and a number of government report no shows.

The only action item was a partial decision of the Midway community plan, a draft of which was coming out in March according to Vicki White from the Planning Department.

Small Parks Included in New Community Plan

White introduced a document that depicted areas of the Midway district that will be set aside as park land. Two small areas on the bike path along the river were the subject of the action vote. One area was designated “San Diego River Park Pathway” and the other was “San Diego Mini Park.”

These small park areas are on the south side of the river just east of the Ingraham bridge. The improvements will consist of benches and signage and some landscaping when money is available. For now, the action was only a vote to include the two areas in the new community plan; the board voted unanimously to approve them for inclusion.

After the draft community plan is out, it will move into a six-month environmental impact study phase. Once the EIR is done, there will be a 45-day period for the public to review the EIR and provide comments. Public hearings will take place after the EIR review and the goal is to wrap it all up by the end of the year and approve the new community plan.

April Meeting to Be Regional Discussion on Homelessness

The Midway Planning Group is devoting its entire April monthly meeting to an in depth discussion of one subject – homelessness. Councilmember Lorie Zapf has committed to attend as has Stacie Spector, the mayor’s “homeless czar.” The group had not yet settled on a venue as of its March 15 regular monthly meeting.

The Midway planners are attempting to find a place for the discussion that will accommodate an expected large group of people. The Peninsula, Ocean Beach, Pacific Beach, and Mission Beach planning groups are being invited to the discussion. The homeless population in the Midway area and the problems that it causes is a major concern for the mostly business oriented members of the group. Information on the meeting site will be provided in the coming weeks.

In other news, Councilmember Zapf’s representative Bruce Williams announced that April 22 would be Zapf’s annual volunteer recognition day and a free breakfast will go to the winner. Williams said folks are encouraged to nominate candidates for the recognition.

Anthony George, representing the mayor’s office, announced a new program called “Sprint Into STEAM.” This is a new program with workshops designed to interest children in science that is taking place in 36 San Diego public libraries in March, April, and May.

The Midway Planning held its election just before this meeting for one half hour. The board does not have its own website, its information is included on the city of San Diego’s Planning Department website. The members and those few people who vote consist of business owners in the Midway district as there are very few residents involved at this time.