National City plan could expand uses for recreational, maritime uses

SAN DIEGO — Balancing commercial shipping with recreational boating is always an issue in National City, what with imported vehicles fresh off the boat parked across the street from the Pier 32 Marina main entrance and pleasure craft regularly navigating the local channels alongside large shipping tankers. How commercial, corporate and recreational uses maximize their respective uses of the National City waterfront could soon be updated and improved. The Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners directed its staff on April 14 to move forward with an environmental review of a proposed land use plan for the National City waterfront. Port staff stated the proposed plan would improve commercial development, facilitate public access to the water, increase maritime acreage through reconfiguration and street closures, and bolster maritime cargo operations and recreational uses. Pepper Park, which is adjacent to Pier 32 Marina and Sweetwater Channel, would be expanded from 5.19 acres to 7.19 acres, according to port staff. “Staff has made a focused effort to develop a land use plan that strives to balance the variety of interests surrounding this valuable waterfront area,” Leslie Nishihara, a planner with the Port of San Diego, told commissioners. “This land use plan will serve as the foundation...