Planning for Oceanside's Future

by Marva Bledsoe, Business and Community Political Action Committee
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The City of Oceanside’s General Plan is the primary source of long-range planning and policy direction used to guide growth and preserve the quality of life in the City. Oceanside’s General Plan contains 10 elements many of which were adopted in the 1970’s while others were adopted more recently due to changes in State law or changes in the conditions affecting Oceanside. As our community grows and changes, the various elements will continue to be updated and amended to ensure that the guidance they provide for future growth within the community reflects the actual desires of the residents and businesses of Oceanside.

At a recent meeting of the Oceanside Chamber’s Emerging Issues Committee, the featured speaker was Tracey Bohlen, Economic Development Manager for the City of Oceanside. Ms. Bohlen presented information on the City’s Economic Development Commission and the City’s General Plan. One focus of her remarks was the challenges of keeping Oceanside’s General Plan current and meaningful. Ms. Bohlen reported that to update the entire Plan would cost in excess of 4 million dollars and would take 4 to 8 years to complete. As a more practical option, she reported that City staff is currently evaluating the Plan and will recommend to the City Council the specific elements that need to be amended in the immediate future. Members of the Committee expressed some concern as to the “trickle down” difficulties of amending one element of the Plan as that could also impact other elements of the Plan necessitating revisions in other elements. In acknowledging this, Ms. Bohlen indicated that staff does take a broad perspective and addresses all the changes that are needed to the entire Plan when one element is changed.

The current elements of Oceanside’s General Plan and the year adopted are: Land Use – 1988; Recreational Trails – 2012; Housing – 2013; Environmental Resource Management – 1975; Community Facilities – 1990; Public Safety – 1975; Noise – 1974; Hazardous Waste Management – 1990; Military Reservation – 1981; Redevelopment Plan – 1982; Local Coastal Plan – 1985; and Circulation – 2012. Ms. Bohlen reported that three other elements may be considered: Water Supply and Drought; Climate Control; and, Economic Development.

The Emerging Issues Committee meets on the first Thursday of each month at 8:00am at the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce. The Committee studies issues that impact our businesses and/or our community.