Breakfast Dialogues
For over fifteen years, C3 has presented Breakfast Dialogues to keep San Diegans informed on the issues affecting our region.
Have an idea for a Breakfast Dialogue? Interested in Sponsoring a Dialogue? Contact c3sandiego@sbcglobal.net
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Save the Date for our next Breakfast Dialogue ~ Thursday, June 28, 2012
Questions? Contact the C3 Office at 858.277.0900 or c3sandiego@sbcglobal.net |
Previous Dialogues
Thursday - March 29, 2012
South Embarcadero and Beyond: Its Local and Regional Importance
It is the most recent proposed site for the new Charger Stadium and Downtown beach at the 10th Avenue Terminal. South Embarcadero encompasses the area south of the new library, next to the convention center, and near the fancy new bridge that stretches over Harbor Drive. The area borders the historic communities of Barrio Logan and Sherman Heights, and also East Village, a new hip urban enclave that houses the San Diego Padres.
At this C3 Breakfast Dialogue you will learn about the context of South Embarcadero and its relevance, impacts and benefits to its immediate surrounding communities...and beyond.
Sponsors:
Graduate Program in City Planning, School of Public Affairs, SDSU
and
UC San Diego Urban Studies and Planning Program, Steve Erie, Director
2012 Breakfast Dialogue Sustainability Partner: SDG&E
Panel:
Owen Lang, Principal – Owen Lang Consulting; former planner for South Embarcadero Master Plan
Georgette Gomez, Policy Advocate – Environmental Health Coalition
John Lynch, Vice Chairman & CEO – San Diego Union Tribune
Moderator:
Philip J. Bona, Architect/Planner – Baucentrum Urban Studio; Adjunct Professor with NewSchool of Architecture & Design; Member of the Port's Citizen Advisory Committee; former AVP of Architecture & Planning with CCDC
Thursday - February 23, 2012
Infrastructure Deficit Disorder: 21st Century (Re)development
Regardless of where you sit in the redevelopment spectrum - friend or foe - you cannot escape the reality that we need to continue improving our urban infrastructure, to allow for commercial and housing opportunities in our existing neighborhoods. With the state of California closing redevelopment agencies at the same time suburban expansion is concluding, our panel will explore how to build our City of Villages in the 21st Century. Regardless of where you sit in the redevelopment spectrum - friend or foe - you cannot escape the reality that we need to continue improving our urban infrastructure, to allow for commercial and housing opportunities in our existing neighborhoods. With the state of California closing redevelopment agencies at the same time suburban expansion is concluding, our panel will explore how to build our City of Villages in the 21st Century.
Sponsor: PlaceMakers
2012 Breakfast Dialogue Sustainability Partner: SDG&E
Panel:
Howard M. Blackson III, CNU-A, Director of Planning – PlaceMakers
Gary London – The London Group
Neal LaMontagne, PhD. – UCLA Urban Planning
Moderator: Nancy Maddox Lytle, AICP, Vice President of Projects & Development – Southeastern Economic Development Corporation
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Citizen Research for Good Planning: Who Asks the Tough Questions?
A Best Practices Dialogue featuring SPUR (San Francisco Planning + Urban Research Association)
The history of SPUR began in 1910 when a group of young city leaders came together to improve the quality of housing after the 1906 earthquake and fire as the San Francisco Housing Association ("SFHA") authored a hard-hitting report that led to the State Tenement House Act of 1911. In the 1940's, SFHA led the push to create San Francisco's Department of City Planning. In the 1950's, they pushed for revitalization of San Francisco as the Bay Area's central city, in an effort to curb suburban sprawl and channel growth in the urban core. Over the next five decades, SPUR built support for land use, transportation and investment strategies to support center-oriented growth and urban economic vitality.
SPUR has been involved with virtually every major planning decision in the city and plays the crucial role of uniting citizens to craft solutions to common problems. SPUR is a member-supported, nonprofit organization, and at our January Breakfast, Gabriel Metcalf, the current Executive Director, will discuss how citizen research supports good planning policy development in the San Francisco Bay area, and how SPUR is organized to do it effectively.
Bill Anderson, former Director of City Planning & Community Investments at the City of San Diego, and past C-3 President, will moderate a panel of San Diego organizations that are currently involved in, or are initiating citizen planning research efforts such as Equinox, The San Diego Foundation and the Center for Urban Design & Economics (affiliated with UCSD). At the conclusion of Gabriel Metcalf's presentation, Mr. Anderson will ask the panel members to respond in kind to the following question: Is it needed here and are we prepared to do it?
Sponsor: AECOM
2012 Breakfast Dialogue Sustainability Partner: SDG&E
Panel:
Gabriel Metcalf – Executive Director, SPUR (San Francisco Planning + Urban Research Association)
Barry Schultz – Stutz, Artiano, Shinoff & Holz; Principal with the Center for Urban Design Economics; former Chair of the San Diego Planning Commission
Emily Young, Ph.D. – Senior Director, Environment Analysis and Strategy, The San Diego Foundation
Amy Tartre – Director, Equinox Center
Moderator: William Anderson, FAICP – Vice President, AECOM; former City of San Diego Planning Director and Planning Commission Chair; past C3 President
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Against All Odds - Finding Homes for Homeless San Diegans
Despite a prolonged economic slump, double digit unemployment and a growing number of individuals and families becoming homeless, organizations around the County of San Diego are using innovative tools to find lasting solutions to the problems of homelessness. Join C3 for an informative discussion on the topic of the changing face of San Diego's homeless population and the organizations that are working to find solutions.
Sponsors: Anonymous and Corporation for Supportive Housing
Panel:
Clay King – LICSW, ACSW, FACHE, Chief of Social Work Service, VA San Diego
Brian Maienschein – Commissioner of the Plan to End Chronic Homelessness
Chris Megison– President and Executive Director, North County Solutions for Change
Moderator: Peter Callstrom – Executive Director, Regional Task Force on the Homeless
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Achieving Sustainability: Think Globally, Plan Locally
The focus of our next Breakfast Dialogue will be on achieving sustainability in the San Diego region. Achieving sustainability is a tall order to say the least. According to the 2011 Equinox Center for Sustainability Dashboard Report, areas identified in San Diego that need major improvement are housing affordability and the jobs/housing balance, public transportation, equal access to shared amenities, job creation in industries with livable wages, and managing our energy and water consumption.
How do we achieve sustainability goals already set for the region? More importantly, how do we far exceed them to become a leader in sustainability for the state, the nation and the world?
In this broad overview of sustainability we hope to spark new insights on this important topic for the continued success of our region.
This is the first in a series of dialogues underwritten by SDG&E, a C3 Sustainability Partner, that follows the release of Sustainable Paradise, C3's latest publication. Future Breakfast Dialogues will focus on: • The natural and built environment; • Planning for sustainable growth; • Transportation; • Economic prosperity; • Sustainable life systems (food, water, waste and energy).
Sponsor: Sunroad Enterprises
Panel:
Scott Anders – USD Energy Policy Initiatives Center
Peter MacCracken – The San Diego Foundation
Ann Tolch – Sustainability Alliance of Southern California
Jim Waring – Cleantech San Diego
Moderator: Larry Herzog – SDSU
Thursday, August 25, 2011
The Politics of Drawing Lines - Redistricting the City of San Diego
Every ten years, government at every level gets busy redrawing the political boundaries of their districts. In any cycle, the process can be highly political, as stakeholders jockey to ensure that their interests will be adequately represented. This year, however, the City of San Diego has added a new wrinkle. Since the 1960s, the San Diego has maintained eight City Council districts. However, with the adoption of a strong mayor system of government, voters approved the addition of a new, ninth Council district. This new Council seat is seen as an opportunity for stakeholder groups that would like to see their interests better represented on the City Council.
The City Charter requires that the redistricting plan “provide fair and effective representation for all citizens of the City, including racial, ethnic, and language minorities, and be in conformance with the requirements of the United States Constitution and Federal statutes.” After months of public input, it is expected that the seven member citizens Redistricting Commission, which has the sole authority to adopt a redistricting plan, will have released its final redistricting map. Stakeholders and participants in the redistricting process will share their thoughts on how this cycle has differed from past efforts and will talk about how the ninth Council district will shape the future of San Diego.
Sponsor: Planned Parenthood of San Diego and Riverside Counties
Panel:
Mateo Camarillo, Latino Redistricting Committee
Allen Chan, Asian Pacific American Coalition for Fair Representation
Lani Lutar, San Diego County Taxpayers Association
Linda Perine, LGBT Redistricting Task Force
Moderator: Glen Sparrow, Professor Emeritus, School of Public Affairs, SDSU
Thursday, July 28, 2011
What's Planning Got To Do With It?
July's Breakfast Dialogue will focus on the reorganization of the planning functions in the City of San Diego. Last April, Mayor Jerry Sanders moved the city Planning Department functions and personnel into the Development Services Department under the leadership of Kelly Broughton. With his position eliminated, San Diego's 10th and last Planning Director left the city. Development Services is charged with development review, environmental review and building permit processing while its planning division is responsible for "big picture" land use and transportation policies.
"The consolidation will allow the staff of these two related departments to work more closely together and create efficiencies in management and information sharing," Sanders said in the announcement issued about the reorganization.
The question for us is this: Does form matter? Will a coherent vision for sustainable policy making suffer if the department's primary focus is development processing? Can a revenue-driven function successfully merge with one dependent on a general fund? Is there meaning in the fact that the word "planning" does not appear in the department's title? It is interesting to note that a similar reorganization took place under former City Manager Jack McGrory in the 1990's but was undone by his successor. What have we learned since then?
Sponsor: PlaceMakers
Panel:
Michael Stepner, FAIA, Former City Architect and Professor at the NewSchool of Architecture & Design
Kelly Broughton, Director of Development Services, City of San Diego
Marco Sessa, Senior Vice President, Land Development/Residential, Sudberry Properties
Moderator: Brian Mooney, AICP, Managing Principal, Mooney Planning Collaborative
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Is Redevelopment Dead? What's Next for San Diego Redevelopment?
Redevelopment in our city was established to revitalize neighborhoods and improve economic conditions in San Diego. This revitalization is to be achieved by eliminating blight and utilizing property tax to improve the quality of life for residents in the redevelopment area.
On June 14th, in a combination of bills, the Legislature seemingly gutted redevelopment. Included was AB26X which abolished redevelopment agencies statewide, effective October 1, 2011. The companion bill, AB27X, would have allowed cities to opt back into redevelopment, as long as proper funding is restored to schools and special districts. The series of events at the state level is rather confusing and the reaction of local redevelopment advocates has been swift. According to Mayor Jerry Sanders, "The Legislature's action on redevelopment was nothing short of extortion." On June 15th, the Governor vetoed the state budget that the Legislature had passed the day before. The redevelopment bills may be in limbo. As you can see, things are changing quickly.
Redevelopment activities in the City of San Diego Redevelopment Agency's fourteen (14) Project Areas are carried out by the City's Redevelopment Department and two non-profit public corporations: Centre City Development Corporation and Southeastern Economic Development Corporation. These Project Areas, located in various parts of the City, encompass more than 11,700 acres. Additionally, the City of San Diego's Redevelopment Department administers 11 of the Redevelopment Agency's 14 Project Areas and an affordable housing program.
Sponsor: Keyser Marston Associates
Panel:
Todd Gloria, Councilmember, Council District 3, Redevelopment Agency AdHoc Committee Chair
Michael Jenkins, Redevelopment Policy Advisor, Office of Councilmember Marti Emerald, Council District 7
Susan Tinsky, Executive Director, San Diego Housing Federation, C3President
Moderator: Alison St John, Senior Metro Reporter, KPBS San Diego
Thursday, May 12, 2011
A Conversation with Bruce Appleyard on 'Temporary Paradise?' and Beyond
Dr. Bruce Appleyard is the son of Donald Appleyard, who along with Kevin Lynch authored C3's seminal work, "Temporary Paradise? A Look at the Special Landscape of the San Diego Region." Bruce will share with us his personal reflections on his father's work on "Temporary Paradise?" and his own work on "Vision Utah" including regional planning and implementation strategies.
Dr. Bruce Appleyard is an accomplished project manager, author, speaker and instructor. Bruce brings his experience and insight to the challenges of creating joyful communities that are economically viable. For the body of his work with communities to research and improve their livability he was recognized by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation as one of the "Top-Ten Active Living Heroes," alongside Dan Burden, Wendi Kallins, Governor Mike Huckabee, and then Senator Barack Obama.
On The Waterfront: A New Beginning?
Last month C3’s Breakfast Dialogue featured San Diego’s “living room” - Balboa Park and the Plaza de Panama. For April, our panel discussion will be on the progress of proposed improvements to San Diego’s “front porch” - the Embarcadero, Ruocco Park, Lane Field and the parks planned for the historic County Administration Building.
C-3 has a long history supporting public access, views and activities on our waterfront and opposing further walling off of the bay. We opposed the costly cruise ship terminal on Broadway Pier which blocks views and limits access. The conflict in the past few years regarding the waterfront plans has actually engendered a new climate of communication and even cooperation among stakeholders and the public, thanks to the leadership from each of these groups.
Learn about the positive projects and planning efforts underway: Ruocco Park, funded by C-3 founder Lloyd Ruocco, to break ground this year; County Administration Center Waterfront Park approved by the Coastal Commission and moving forward now; the park at Lane Field that is part of the North Embarcadero Visionary Project (NEVP); Phase 1 of the NEVP; and finally, planning for the long-promised park on Navy Pier! Then going forward we will focus on the current planning effort for the Port Master Plan Amendment.
Sponsor: Cush Family Foundation
Speakers:
Ron Roberts, Supervisor, County of San Diego
Scott Peters, Commission Chair, Port of San Diego
Jerry Trammer, J & T Consulting
Moderator: Phil Bona, Architect, Baucentrum Urban Studio
March 31, 2011
Balboa Park and the Plaza de Panama: Are we finally implementing the Master Plan?
C3 has long advocated for increased pedestrian-use of the Central Mesa of Balboa Park wit the concomitant goal of de-emphasizing automobile use in the park. Under the sponsorship of Dr. Irwin Jacobs and with the support of Mayor Jerry Sanders, the Balboa Park Plaza de Panama, Circulation and Parking Structure master plan amendment has been initiated for the central area of Balboa Park with the National Historic Landmark. If approved, the project is proposed to be completed by 2015 in time for the Centennial anniversary of Balboa Park.
The proposed "bypass bridge" off the eastern portion of the Cabrillo Bridge, as a solution to eliminating all vehicles from the Plaza and adjacent areas, has ignited a storm of opposition from historic preservationists and others. Is the bypass bridge the best alternative to accomplish the end result? Are there alternatives to be considered that could possibly "bridge the gap" and enable the project to proceed with greater support?
Sponsor: Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation
Speakers:
Vicki Estrada, Principal Partner, Estrada Land Planning
Mark Johnson, Principal, Civitas
Michael Hager, Ph.D, President & CEO, San Diego Natural History Museum
Moderator: Mike Stepner, Principal, NewSchool of Architecture and Design
January 27, 2011
Complete Streets - Innovative Bike Facilities Turning Planning into Reality
Join several of our local experts to discuss the benefits of incorporating bicycle master plans into the complete streets movement. As cities look to increase mobility choices, biking will be an increasingly important component for both work and recreational trips. Unfortunately San Diego does not make the list of America’s Top 50 bike-friendly cities. What can we learn from San Francisco, Portland, Seattle and Long Beach? With some of the best weather in the nation, how can the San Diego region transform itself into a bicycle haven? How is SANDAG planning for this form of transportation in the Regional Transportation Plan? While there is much talk about the health and environmental benefits of biking, join us to explore what makes streets inviting to biking and the lessons learned from implementing a Bicycle Master Plan.
Sponsor: KOA Corporation
Panel:
Chris Kluth, Associate Land Use/Transportation Planner, SANDAG
Seth Torma, PTP, Senior Planner, KOA Corporation
Min Zhou, Senior Planner, KOA Corporation
Moderator: Kathy Keehan, Executive Director, San Diego County Bicycle Coalition
October 27, 2010
November Ballot Propositions – A CaliforniaTradition
Governor Hiram Johnson began his term in 1911 by promising to give citizens a tool they could use to adopt laws and constitutional amendments without the support of the Governor or the Legislature. That year California became the 10th state to successfully amend its State Constitution to allow voters the right to enact legislation. While not the first to establish an initiative process, California general elections bring out the best, and worst, of this form of direct democracy. Please join us for a provocative and enlightening discussion of several of our state and local propositions. Should AB 32 and our goal to address global climate change be put on hold by the passage of Prop 23 until the economy has recovered? Will a State budget be approved on time should Prop 25’s proposal to reduce the 2/3’s state budget threshold to 50% be approved? Is it smart to bail out school districts with a one-time parcel tax? Should the Governor and Legislature be barred from balancing the budget with local funds as proposed by Prop 21? Will Prop D in the City of San Diego result in real budget reform? Don’t miss two of our region’s long-time political pundits squaring off in a point/counterpoint debate of several key propositions voters will decide on November 2nd.
Sponsors: California Strategies and Sheppard Mullen Richter & Hampton LLP
Panel:
Christopher Crotty, President – Crotty Consulting Inc.
Tom Shepard, President and CEO – Tom Shepard & Associates
Moderator: Kim John Kilkenny, Treasurer – CCDC Board
September 23, 2010
SANDAG's 2050 Regional Transportation Plan Update
The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) has embarked upon its required, periodic update of the region’s comprehensive transportation plan. Composed of elected officials from its member agencies, SANDAG is the region’s metropolitan planning organization, which plans, programs, and allocates transportation funds, among other regional roles. The RTP is vitally important for the region. The current 2007 RTP includes $57 billion in improvements through 2030.
This RTP Update takes on new significance. It must respond to Senate Bill 375, which is a new state law mandating better coordination of regional transportation, land use, and housing planning to implement greenhouse gas reduction measures required by Assembly Bill 32. Additionally, SB 375 provides incentives for local governments and developers to plan and build more sustainably.
Please visit www.sandag.org to learn more about the preparation of the 2050 RTP. The C-3 board will be participating in the development of this influential plan, which is scheduled for adoption in July 2011.
Sponsors: Fehr & Peers and Parsons Brinckerhoff (PB)
Panel:
Carolina Gregor, Heather Werdick, and/or Dave Schumacher, SANDAG staff
Hannah Cohen, Sustainable San Diego
Sandy Shapery, MOVE San Diego member; Vice Chair, SANDAG’s Regional Planning Stakeholders Working Group
Moderator: David Watson, Attorney with Hecht Solberg; former City of San Diego Planning Commissioner
August 26, 2010
The World Trade Center's One-Stop Homeless Care Facility: The Solution to Downtown Homelessness, or a Catalyst for Bigger Problems?
Recently, a committee of the San Diego City Council forwarded to the full City Council a $31 million proposal to convert downtown San Diego’s World Trade Center building into a one-stop service and housing center for the homeless. The project would provide 225 beds, as well as medical, social, and government services inside the city-owned building.
While the project could be a step in the right direction towards addressing homelessness in the region, some argue that a more comprehensive approach is necessary, rather than this single project serving only a small part of the homeless population. Others argue that the location of the project will severely impact the surrounding businesses. Come hear from the panel of experts and make up your own mind.
Sponsor: Corporation for Supportive Housing
Panel:
Joel Roberts, CEO, PATH Partners
Craig Benedetto, California Strategies
Rosemary Johnston, Interfaith Shelter Network
Moderator: Brian Maienshein - Commissioner of Plan to End Chronic Homelessness, United Way of San Diego County
San Diego Business Journal Article
San Diego CityBeat Article
July 22, 2010
Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan
At 550 acres, the Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan is one of the largest urban waterfront planning efforts in the country. For eight years, the planning area has been a battle ground for organized labor, environmentalists, developers and public agencies, all of whom reached historic compromises prior to the plan’s approval by the Port and the City of Chula Vista. How will the Master Plan fare as it heads to the State Lands Commission and California Coastal Commission for final approvals? And what are the lessons we’ve learned to date?
Sponsor: Dudek
Panel:
Gary Halbert, Assistant City Manager, City of Chula Vista
Allison Rolfe, Director of Planning, Pacifica Companies
Nicholas DeLorenzo, ASLA, President, DeLorenzo, Inc.
Moderator: Leslie Wade, President, Wade Communications, Inc.
For more information on the Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan visit
http://www.portofsandiego.org/chula-vista-bayfront-master-plan.html
