Surf Cup Open Space Wipe Out

The final key piece of what was supposed to be 600 acres of permanent open space for public use and enjoyment was recently denuded of its open space protections by the San Diego City Council. This important open space acreage was dedicated to the City for the benefit of the public in 1983 in exchange for approval of the controversial Fairbanks Ranch project. Shortly thereafter, about 400 of the 600 acres of public open space were leased by the City of San Diego for private golf course use with limited public access. About 60 acres of the remaining open space was more recently leased by the city to Surf Cup for its intensive youth soccer programs. Surf Cup has been in litigation for years over allegations its use violates the open space deed restrictions.

Last fall, the City of San Diego City Council dealt the final blow to this public open space by eliminating or dramatically revising the public protections. This action was opposed by many key environmental organizations and stakeholders, including the City of Del Mar, the Sierra Club, the Environmental Coalition of San Diego, the San Dieguito River Park JPA, the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy, Friends of the San Dieguito River, and others.

The Sierra Club has now filed suit challenging the City of San Diego’s decision. In sum, the suit alleges that the City of San Diego failed to analyze the environmental impacts of intensifying use at Surf Sports Park and eliminating deed restrictions not only on the polo fields, but on additional open space parcels conveyed under the same grant deed. The petition asserts that increased traffic, large events, and expanded commercial uses threaten surrounding communities and the San Dieguito River Park, and that the City relied on outdated data while bypassing required CEQA review.

More than just the fate of the polo fields is at stake in this case. Part of the deal allowing the Fairbanks Ranch project to proceed was the dedication of 600 acres of permanent open space for the public benefit. Now, 400 acres are tied up in a private golf course and the open space restrictions on 60 remaining acres have been substantially modified or eliminated. The public use open space that was the key public benefit justifying the Fairbanks project has now been all but eliminated.

As stated by Sierra Club attorney Isabella Coye: “The City Council must uphold its prior promise to its electorate — that the Affected Lands would be dedicated for open space uses. Furthermore, the city is legally bound to implement promised mitigation measures under CEQA and state law.”

The Sandpiper will provide updates as the suit progresses.