Just a few days ago, members of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce received a “call to action” e-mail from Ted Owen regarding the Carlsbad Desalination Plant hearings before the State Lands Commission Oct. 30 and the Coastal Commission Nov. 15. The desal plant is in the critical final stages of its very long approval process.
The “call to action” invited as many chamber members as possible to commit to attend these hearings. Given the critical importance of the desal plant to the future of our city, its residents and, most importantly, future generations, I would like to extend this invitation to as many citizens of Carlsbad as possible.
While this issue of the Carlsbad Business Journal will roll off the presses after the State Lands Commission hearing, there is still time to sound the rally cry for the very critical Coastal Commission meeting. I think the desal plant and the team from Poseidon deserve to see a standing room-only crowd of staunch supporters in attendance.
The desalination facility will produce a locally-controlled, drought-proof supply of water that is essential to San Diego County's economic stability and public health. We need to have a strong showing at both of these public hearings to show our support.
This is your opportunity to work with the chamber to help advance a regional infrastructure project with great importance to businesses, the region and the future. If you are able to attend, please call Michael Babowal, director of government affairs at the chamber, at (760) 931-8400 or register to attend online at
http://www.carlsbad.org/poseidonReg.aspx.
Rallying the troops to support the desal plant has prompted me to reflect on other “calls to action,” both past and present, that provide significant opportunities for our chamber members and other citizens of Carlsbad to express their views and engage in dialogue about the community. Residents can partake in the following quality of life improvement opportunities:
• Village Redevelopment, The Carlsbad City Council and Housing and Redevelopment Commission held a joint public hearing Oct. 16 to amend the Village Master Plan and Design Manual. The chamber was instrumental in working with city staff to bring these changes forward. These amendments are needed to encourage good and innovative design in the Carlsbad Village. You will hear more about the Village Master Plan and design process in months to come. I would encourage you to get involved in helping to advance the redevelopment of the Village.
• Envisioning the Future, The city of Carlsbad has issued an invitation for Carlsbad citizens to “envision the future” at one of two community kickoff meetings designed to gather ideas for the agricultural area along Cannon Road, east of Interstate 5. This area currently is used for growing strawberries and flowers (the official Flower Fields already are preserved under a prior agreement). Residents are invited to learn more about this area and to offer ideas and input, which will be used to create an open space vision.
Citizen input is essential in planning the future of these privately-owned lands. Agricultural uses are encouraged in the area under the current zoning. However, if property owners decide farming is no longer economically viable, the city wants to know what public and private open space uses are most desired by the community.
The meetings are from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Nov. 15 at The Crossings at Carlsbad, 5800 The Crossings Drive and from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Faraday Center, 1635 Faraday Ave., Carlsbad. Anyone interested in participating in these community forums are encouraged to R.S.V.P. to the Carlsbad Community Development Department at (760) 602-2710. I hope to see you there.
The “call to action” invited as many chamber members as possible to commit to attend these hearings. Given the critical importance of the desal plant to the future of our city, its residents and, most importantly, future generations, I would like to extend this invitation to as many citizens of Carlsbad as possible.
While this issue of the Carlsbad Business Journal will roll off the presses after the State Lands Commission hearing, there is still time to sound the rally cry for the very critical Coastal Commission meeting. I think the desal plant and the team from Poseidon deserve to see a standing room-only crowd of staunch supporters in attendance.
The desalination facility will produce a locally-controlled, drought-proof supply of water that is essential to San Diego County's economic stability and public health. We need to have a strong showing at both of these public hearings to show our support.
This is your opportunity to work with the chamber to help advance a regional infrastructure project with great importance to businesses, the region and the future. If you are able to attend, please call Michael Babowal, director of government affairs at the chamber, at (760) 931-8400 or register to attend online at
http://www.carlsbad.org/poseidonReg.aspx.
Rallying the troops to support the desal plant has prompted me to reflect on other “calls to action,” both past and present, that provide significant opportunities for our chamber members and other citizens of Carlsbad to express their views and engage in dialogue about the community. Residents can partake in the following quality of life improvement opportunities:
• Village Redevelopment, The Carlsbad City Council and Housing and Redevelopment Commission held a joint public hearing Oct. 16 to amend the Village Master Plan and Design Manual. The chamber was instrumental in working with city staff to bring these changes forward. These amendments are needed to encourage good and innovative design in the Carlsbad Village. You will hear more about the Village Master Plan and design process in months to come. I would encourage you to get involved in helping to advance the redevelopment of the Village.
• Envisioning the Future, The city of Carlsbad has issued an invitation for Carlsbad citizens to “envision the future” at one of two community kickoff meetings designed to gather ideas for the agricultural area along Cannon Road, east of Interstate 5. This area currently is used for growing strawberries and flowers (the official Flower Fields already are preserved under a prior agreement). Residents are invited to learn more about this area and to offer ideas and input, which will be used to create an open space vision.
Citizen input is essential in planning the future of these privately-owned lands. Agricultural uses are encouraged in the area under the current zoning. However, if property owners decide farming is no longer economically viable, the city wants to know what public and private open space uses are most desired by the community.
The meetings are from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Nov. 15 at The Crossings at Carlsbad, 5800 The Crossings Drive and from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Faraday Center, 1635 Faraday Ave., Carlsbad. Anyone interested in participating in these community forums are encouraged to R.S.V.P. to the Carlsbad Community Development Department at (760) 602-2710. I hope to see you there.