Arrogance at the Port

I would never dream to say that we humble bloggers could somehow change the years of culture and stench that emanates from the Port's leadership on both the Port Commission, but we can shed a little light on the subject.

Friday was a prime example of the arrogance. Friday marked the end of the San Pedro Waterfront Enhancements Project Mitigated Negative Declaration comment period. I know, it is a long boring title, but here's the gist of it.

February 24th their was a informational meeting regarding the project. Most people came away with the impression that the enhancements were relatively benign beautification/ public access improvement projects that would not require a full EIR. It turns out that isn't the case. What was originally pitched as some trees along sidewalks and some small beautification projects, has mushroomed into a Major Development Support Project - including, natural areas being paved under at the Beach, instead of a large (20-acre) park at 22nd Street, with a small parking lot it becomes a huge parking lot with a mini-park, and on and on. And in a pattern repeated all to often by the Port's so-called "Environmental" Division, the comment period fell during vacation time.

Some of the drawings in the June 2005 document, particularly the 22nd Street plan, depict projects that are far more ambitious. (Note that these documents and the most recent revisions of the waterfront development project description are not on the web, at least that any of us could find. This would make it easier for people who cannot attend every meeting to stay informed, but we'll get back to that in a moment.) There is still an ongoing debate in the community about some key elements of that plan. It looks like the Port is preparing to invest quite a bit of money in these enhancement projects, some of which may have to be altered or demolished during subsequent construction of a consensus project.

Also, note that the Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council (CSPNC) has a motion on the agenda of its July meeting to oppose this Negative Declaration. The 22nd St. site falls within the boundaries of the the neighborhood council, and the council was not notified of this document in time to take action prior to this comment deadline, let alone the fact that the configuration of the project seems to have substantially changed from that presented at previous public meetings.. This would appear to be a direct violation of the City Charter requirement for "early warning" of projects and actions which may impact the areas served by the Neighborhood Councils. What could have a bigger impact than this on their neighborhoods?

The good news is that the NC's were on their game and raised an uproar on Friday, getting the deadline extended in time for proper review by them and the public. Councilwoman Hahn, whom I rarely applaud, actually did well for the community in seeing that this happen. If they hadn't been organized, yet another large project would most likely would have ended up in a courtroom battle because the Harbor Commission can't seem to figure out that it needs to actually issue and follow EIR's that directly affect the neighboring communities.

Community activists on the Neighborhood Councils are wary that the Ports proposal is intended to help implement the controversial and little-liked Bridge to Breakwater Waterfront Development Project, but without the benefit of a full EIR.

How this continually happens is beyond me. The new Mayor needs to know that his new appointments to this commission need to not only help correct this culture, but need to actively involve these activists to prevent these headaches in the future. He also knows from past experience that he is inheriting this problem. He didn't create it. So that gives him a lot of latitude in clearing house and making the needed changes at not only the Commissioner level, but also at the staff level where much of this culture is generated.