Surf Cup 6; Open Space 2

On October 28^th, the San Diego City Council voted 6-2 to modify the lease terms for the Surf Club property to allow “commercial uses.” This action violates the terms of the 1983 public vote to preserve the property for recreational uses and ban large assemblages of people or vehicles. Many local residents, representatives of the San Dieguito River Park JPA, the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy, and both Del Mar and Solana Beach opposed the vote, as did State Senator Catherine Blakespear. First District San Diego Councilmember Joe LaCava, whose district includes the Surf Club property, voted in favor of the lease modification. The lawsuit by local residents claiming many violations of the original lease terms by the Surf Club owners may be impacted by the change to lease terms, but the action itself may be challenged.

The only silver lining to this dark cloud was that the portion of the Coast-to-Crest trail crossing the Surf Club property will be completed after many years of delays. The trail will now pass through a once-pristine area that is being degraded by tree removal, intensive use, and the presence of hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles.