Clairemont Community Planning Group: A Vital Link our Neighborhoods
Have you ever wondered about that vacant lot or dilapidated building in your neighborhood? Many local residents are often curious about various land use issues and feel helpless on where to seek answers. The Clairemont Community Planning Group (CCPG) meets once a month (3rd Tuesday of the month) at Cadman Elementary School and welcomes all visitors.
Most residents have some concerns with regard to traffic issues, abandoned vehicles, vacated and possibly dangerous buildings, long standing empty lots, change in building codes, high density housing and even the upcoming arrival of the Trolley along Morena Blvd. But have we considered the urban planning tilt toward alternative transportation specifically the use of bicycles and foot traffic in municipalities across America?
As Clairemont goes, the city planners are ahead of the curve in their noble quest to increase bike lanes and make our good community more pedestrian friendly. Personally, I don’t see it happening in my lifetime. The freshly painted and new bike lanes along Clairemont Mesa Blvd. are seldom used compared to the Rose Canyon bike path. Our neighborhoods are just too mired in the past and as former Mayoral candidate Peter Navarro once lamented, “Clairemont is still stuck in the Plant 19 mentality,” referring to the crusty men who once worked at Convair General Dynamics and mostly settled in our area, my Father included. So, demographics prove the game changer and like bringing Le Moulin Rouge to the Clairemont Square, it isn’t happening folks.
The irony is that we have the local climate conducive to these outdoor activities, yet in our particular steak and potato neighborhoods lack the vision for change. It’s all about demographics hence the food choices at our local markets vs. those in Pacific Beach or La Jolla.
Attendance at the CCPG meetings ought to be mandatory for civically minded citizens and both private and public school students interested in government and community affairs. I believe there ought to be one member of the Planning Board represented by a local high school student. It should be noted that elected members of the “Board” are volunteers and devoted citizens wanting for a better community. These folks deserve our respect in a job well done.
The next meeting of the CCPG will be held in October and everyone is welcome. Please bring your ideas, suggestions, comments, and yes, even criticisms where everyone’s opinion is valued. For further information on meeting times, please review The Clairemont Times.
Be nice, do good deeds and don’t be a stranger as we at The Clairemont Times value your participation.
Daniel J. Smiechowski has been a resident of Clairemont since 1967 and can be reached at smiechowskid@aol.com
