Residents say they want open space, pool, sports field

| Tuesday, June 3, 2003 10:00 PM PDT ∞

TIM MAYER
Staff Writer

CARLSBAD ---- During a public workshop Tuesday, residents urged the City Council to set aside more money to buy and preserve open space and speed up projects such as a second city swim complex and sports fields.

The council is discussing a proposed capital construction plan for the fiscal year beginning July 1 that would add $55.5 million in new projects from streets to parks. A final decision is scheduled at the council's June 17 meeting.

Some 42.8 percent, or $23.8 million, would target street improvements including Rancho Santa Fe Road, widening of sections of El Camino Real, and repaving older streets.

The second-biggest slice, 20.1 percent, or $11.1 million, would go to new parks. The 32-acre Alga Norte Park in southeast Carlsbad is the largest. It would include baseball and softball fields, basketball courts, tot lots, a skateboard park, picnic areas, a dog park and an extensive trail system.

Some $11.9 million would be budgeted for sewer projects, with another $4.6 million for water projects.

Other major projects would include downtown parking improvements and replacement of the police and fire departments' dispatch and radio communications system.

According to city officials, the new projects are in addition to $105.6 million budgeted but not yet spent on ongoing projects. Major projects typically take several years to complete. That brings the total budget for the coming year to $161.1 million.

The council is also looking at a total estimated capital improvement program of more than $365 million to be completed between now and the estimated buildout of Carlsbad, which could come between 2014 and 2020.

But residents said more needs to be done, especially when it comes to trails and open space.

"We urge you to listen to our voices (and) commit revenues to preserve open space," said Karen Merrill of Preserve Calavera.

"When we drive and play and work around the city ... we need a place to rest our eyes," said Dee Ann Gee. "The bottom line is open space makes people feel good about living in Carlsbad."

Allison Rolfe of the North County Open Space Coalition, representing a dozen environmental groups, said the city needs to set aside money now to preserve key pieces of open space threatened with development.

"Once they are gone, they're gone. We want to maintain something of what makes Carlsbad special," she said.

Others said the city needs to speed up plans to build a long-promised second city swim complex, now scheduled for 2007.

"The money is there and it needs to be built now," said Lisa Rodman. "Let's get the pool under way."

Pool advocate Larry David agreed. "It's time to build the (pool) complex ... and build it now. It's what you've promised to do and what the citizens expect you to do."

But city officials say they are concerned the state's massive budget deficit problems may make it difficult for the city to be able to afford to operate all the new parks, recreation facilities, roads and other facilities on the drawing boards once they are built.

Finance officials have proposed delaying some projects or building others in phases until finances will cover operating costs.

And council members said they are taking those proposals seriously.

"It's a scary proposition figuring out how we stay in balance," said Councilman Mark Packard. "Our wants cannot exceed our ability."

Councilman Matt Hall said with the current state budget problems, "you start to be very cautious in how you move forward. We plan on building a pool, a very nice pool with all the bells and whistles. The question is timing."

Contact staff writer Tim Mayer at (760) 901-4043 or tmayer@nctimes.com.

6/4/03

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