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Berry disconcerting
Rebuttal: Berry Misinformed To the San Diego Reader, 3 of 3 The article says, "But Carlsbad residents should have seen this coming ten years ago, when voters passed another initiative, Proposition D. The measure set aside as permanent open space 300 acres along Cannon Road, which included some of the strawberry fields and the hills above the lagoon. Some Carlsbad activists say voters were duped, thinking open space was a good thing, but not realizing the rest of land could then be rezoned as commercial." The truth is: Carlsbad voters are an informed and intelligent lot and unlikely to be "duped" as the article suggests. The voter-approved Prop. D preserved 50 acres of this privately owned property for visitor commercial and the rest for open space. This land has never been rezoned, as the article states. However, Prop. D's definition of "open space" is an area of misinformation as it allows for the construction of a variety of civic buildings, aquariums, libraries, art galleries and even museums throughout the “open space.” The 85/15 Plan goes further than Prop. D, and truly protects open space. By law, the 85/15 Plan will prohibit building within the open space and will create an additional 21 acres of publicly accessible open space, by cutting nearly in half the amount of allowable commercial space, down from 50 acres to 26 acres. And 85/15 defines open space the way everyday people do: as land that is protected and 100% free from all buildings and dedicated solely for passive use and environmentally responsible public access. This is why the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation’s board has unanimously endorsed the 85/15 Plan as the right way to protect the Agua Hedionda Lagoon’s watershed and the land on the south shore of the lagoon -- and Carlsbad's future. For more facts, we encourage your readers to visit us at www.OpenSpaceTheRightWay.com (3 of 3 comments.)— May 29, 2015 10:58 p.m.
Berry disconcerting
Rebuttal: Berry Misinformed To the San Diego Reader, 2 of 3 The article says, "As reported in the Coast News, the developer has lined up big guns for the signature-gathering drive: former planning commissioner Bill Dominquez, Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation’s Maureen Simons, and former Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce CEO Carlton Lund." The truth is: The article failed to mention one the campaign’s most enthusiastic backers: the Carlsbad Strawberry Company’s President and owner Jimmy Ukegawa. Jimmy’s family has been farming this land for over 60 years and Jimmy has endorsed the 85/15 Plan as a responsible way to ensure that strawberry farming is sustainable and remains for future generations of Carlsbad residents to enjoy. The Carlsbad Strawberry Company has been forced to reduce its farming operations on the land due to increased competition from large commercial growers and rising production costs. With the 85/15 Plan, the Carlsbad Strawberry Company will be able to double the size of its farming operations and ensure that this beloved Carlsbad-based small business flourishes and is here for generations to come by expanding and diversifying its crops and its ability to sell its produce direct-to-consumers on the very same property where it’s grown strawberries since the 1950’s. (2 of 3 comments; to be continued.)— May 29, 2015 10:55 p.m.
Berry disconcerting
Rebuttal: Berry Misinformed To the San Diego Reader, 1 of 3 Dear Madam or Sir, Concerning the article (“Berry disconcerting,” 5/29) regarding the newly unveiled Carlsbad Agua Hedionda 85/15 Plan, for 85 percent open space and 15 percent visitor retail; we would like to provide additional information to clarify some the article's misinformation with the facts. The article says, "The future developer of the 203-acre California Strawberry Farm, east of I-5 on Cannon Road, may be trying an end-run around city hall and Carlsbad citizens." The truth is: Caruso Affiliated has been dedicated to seeking input and listening to the Carlsbad community for over three years. We've met with community leaders, and over 4,000 Carlsbad residents at community meetings, bus tours, and coffees in homes of residents all across Carlsbad. The article suggests an attempted "end run" around the council. The truth is: This Mayor and City Council has led Carlsbad into the ranks of one of America's most livable, most fiscally responsible and best-run cities in California. While other cities have filed for bankruptcy, Carlsbad’s elected officials amassed over $65 million in rainy day reserves – more than half the city's annual expenses – while delivering unsurpassed city services, an unmatched quality of life, and happy residents. The article says, "On May 19, the Carlsbad City Council was advised that Caruso Affiliated would try to place the development directly to the voters through the initiative process. This basically eliminates the city’s planning and public-hearing phases and reduces the developer’s costly regulatory hoops (although the developer reportedly said he will pay for the cost of bringing the issue to the voters)." The truth is: Your writer is correct: Caruso Affiliated has committed that the 85/15 Plan will not cost Carlsbad residents a penny. But your writer is misinformed when he writes that the initiative "eliminates" the city's planning and public hearing phases. The unmatched level of community outreach and input and over three years of open-to-the-public meetings and neighborhood coffees that we've hosted is indicative of our commitment to transparency and attempts to reflect the character and village community feel of Carlsbad. Everything provided for within the 85/15 Plan is deeply rooted in years of community outreach and based on direct input from Carlsbad residents. (1 of 3 comments; to be continued.)— May 29, 2015 10:48 p.m.