No on W
Can't wait to vote
leave NB alone til you get it right

I don't know about sleeping off benders but when the latte sippers are parked in your family beach parking on a busy summer day you'll be walking across PCH to you convenient paid beach parking structure.... NO way NO on W

This fancy new commercial center is going to discriminate against the people that call the current cozy niches and back alleys of North Beach home right now. With the influx of all these pretty people and their money, a guy will not be able to comfortably sleep off a little heroin bender without getting hassled by the man!

This just in-- No one who came to san clemente to be a waterman,or enjoy it's natural beauty, or live the relaxed small town pace wants North Beach to become a yuppie wine and cheese temple! Get a grip--- No on W

The below website paints a MUCH more accurate picture of the mess North Beach will be if the masive project is built--- No Costa Mesa By the Sea --- NO ON W IT"S WRONG

www.visionsanclemente.org

Just in!!! Check out how Playa del Norte will look!
http://www.pronorthbeach.org/new_pictures
YES on W

This is an intresting and cogent question--

The LAB project at North Beach makes no sense, we are moving parking across the street to build on a parking lot. Why not build the LAB project on the vacate lot on Pico & El Camino, seems they would have more sales on that corner, the surf shop has been for sale on and off so they could buy that as well. If they need more parking than use the lot next to the city yard the one they are going to make the beach goes use. The only thing (abit old) about North Beach is the Miramar / Casino area, well maybe Ichibiri's could use a coat of paint. The parking lot if full every weekend in the summer, this is public land that has been & should be used by the public.

Let's not fix what is not broken.

Why is the small Yes crowd telling so many continuous lies about this project? Why do they mistate the sq. footage and the loss of patrking? Why are they afraid to admit that this ios essentially a gift of taxpayer's land? hmmmmmmmmmmm

I voted NO On W

We don't need this large retail operation this close to the beach and taking away beach parking--- NO on W It's Wrong for SC

check this out--

www.visionsanclemente.org

I have heard all the lies I can stand on from the yes foks-- they are the liars here-- and it's no wonder--- they spin this out to try to make us think that this is a tiny project with no parking loss-- get all the facts-- this thing ia a big mess--- there are a ton of North Beach folks who want nothing to do with this mess--- NO ON W

Facts are our friends!! Get yours and then vote YES on W.
san-clemente.org
thenorthbeachproject.com
pronorthbeach.org
The other side does have a website where all their lies can be seen in one place. You can then compare them with the City facts and you will realize that Playa del Norte is perfect for San Clemente!!
YES on W

Tom Barnes,
Thank you. You just proved my point. :) You are in need of this happy face!

This project is low density about the size of a medium size grocery store if it was all one piece. The 56,000 sq ft project is divided amongst 3 lots, 2 of which are empty dirt commerical lots and 1 under utilized asphalt parking lot. We gain 199 new parking spaces in North Beach with the current plan. The buildings will not be higher than the level of Ole Hanson Beach Club. It will be built into the dip in the parking lot and fit into the slop of the land, leveling it out to creating more green space to sit and enjoy sunsets with a sandwich, ice cream with friends and family. Maybe even adult beverages!!
Right now even the beach at North Beach is blighted. The rocks are terrible. Maybe when there is incentive at North Beach, there will be better beach care too. I can only hope!!

Last night I attend a rally of North Beach citizens who want to fix their neighborhood. One young mom said, "...I have seen these no signs in other parts of town and I'm really mad that people who live in parts of town that are already nice, are trying to stop us from enjoying SC too..."
YES on W spread the word!!

Hmmmm so I guess your best argumrnt in favor of the lab is that it will provide you with another bar/establishment etc where you can drink alcohol......hmmmm...persuasive. Just what we need....

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa there is no place for me to drink and chill with my friends and family....waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

well...except for...
Fisherman's
10 places on Del Mar
15 places on PCH

NO ON W North Beach and SC don't need another inland retail mini mall on the beach...

Sorry Tom Barnes, one of 10 or so Dr. Mann and Bob Bakers group of nasty, unhappy old guys. You break the law if you drink on the beach.

Culinary based -- family hangouts??? I want to gag.... Now I thought I had heard every yuppie wine and cheese moniker but this takes the tofu! We don't need shops and crappy wine bars to hang with our families--- what about the beach and the current low key vibe??? That's why we moved here------- or our parents did! This new project looks huge to me anyway---It is more of the same inland oc garbage--- why do we want to duplicate that here? If I want that I'll drive to Newport or wherever---- The parking will go to hell, the traffic is going to hell and this useless pile of garbage can go to ----. NO on W

NO NO NO On W

Playa del Norte shops will be Culinary based non chain like ice cream, sandwich, yogurt, wine, cheese for the Beach goers and Trail uses to enjoy. It's concept is an outdoor living room to meet friends and family.

The architect is world famous for Spanish architecture(like the Ole Hanson Beach Club and Miramar). Views of the current concepts are at the city for your review. Not hiding anything here. Get your FACTS. Then decide!!

Playa del Norte consists of 3 lots separated from each other by private commercial property in North Beach.

2 of these lots are zoned commercial and currently sit as empty dirt lots.1 is a recreational parking lot.

So if Measure “C” people, want to retain integrity to the message of Measure C, DO NOT change zoning, then the Playa del Norte current project is consistent with its current zoning. Mr. s Mann and Baker are supporting putting a Target in Talega on commercially zoned city lot.

Playa del Norte is 2 commercially zoned lots and 1 recreational parking lot. The Marblehead site is adjacent to the future Pico Park. None are zoned open space.

The city will set parking rates, not the LAB owners. When that comes up for review by the City Council you will be able to weigh on that. Right now there are 199 more spaces available with the current LAB design than we have right now. Still plenty of parking at the Beachfront.

Ichibiri's is private property and is not involved in this revitalization project. They will benefit from it, though. They will get more business from the workers, while it's being built. They will end up with more parking around their restaraunt that is safe to walk to at night, not like now. They will get more customers when there are people who stay in the North Beach area after they walk on the trail or spend time at the beach. They are being scared by the con people. Manipulation of a guy who's English comprehension is different. All the other business in the area have YES on W banners and signs, including the Miramar.

Take a look at the view simulations and the video on www.thenorthbeachproject.com/MeasureW.

In addition to writing on the blogs, I also am out there sharing info on W. It is really heart warming when people who had been confused ask questions and get the FACTs. 95% of those people become YES on W. (The other 5% really don't want anything to change, I can respect that. It's the lies that I think are unforgivable).
YES on W!!

The Final Parking Study states that if the Lab is approved, the use of North Beach will change from a beach use to a restaurant and retail use. Is that what we want for North Beach? Where will all the families go to the beach? Not the Pier-there is limted parking and it is over-run with tourists. Not Califia-you need to pay $10 or have an State Parking Pass. North Beach is the last easily accessible beach for families. San Clemente is a beach town, not a commerical town like Huntington Beach-what an eyesore! We already have one huge failure in town scraped of landscape-and that is Marblehead. Do we need another failed project? NO!
Vote NO on W ! A shopping Center on our beach? NOOOOOOOOOOOO

Their taking Ichibiris away :(

Learn the truth about this harmful project...

www.visionsanclemente.org

No on W

Seriously-- you are beating a tired drum........if the lab projects were not so bad in Costa Mesa--- and if the project here wasn't so HUGE and didnt steal beach parking and I guess if we needed more trashy retail and if I thought that was indeed the solution to "fixing" North Beach-- I might have voted for it--- but the project is a joke---- and why is the city selling the land so cheap to the owner? we can do better... No way ---- No on W

Here's an email that I think everyone who is voting needs to read.

Friends,
Many of you know how active I am here in San Clemente. I rarely push my opinions or positions onto my friends, but this time I have to speak up about what is going on in our City. I¹d like to explain the very disturbing politics surrounding Measure W ¬ the advisory vote on North Beach.
Measure W asks whether the City should proceed with a plan to sell some parcels of land to the LAB (Little American Business) so they could develop restaurants and shops in the area of North Beach. The total square footage, which is divided into several buildings, is less than that of a medium size supermarket. The project is called Playa del Norte.
City Council candidates Charles Mann and Bob Baker are against Measure W. There is nothing wrong with that because there should always be room for political differences. But they have waged a campaign that has crossed certain lines that I cannot accept. It has involved intimidation of business owners, destruction of campaign materials, and threats of lawsuits. And in the absence of rational arguments against Measure W, Mann and Baker are publishing blatantly false information.
Maybe I¹m old fashioned but I don¹t tolerate dishonesty, especially from those seeking government office. In all my years of activism I have never seen anything remotely approaching Mann and Baker¹s campaign against Measure W, and I am not talking about little white lies or half-truths. Mann and Baker are barraging the public with fabrications that bear no resemblance to the facts. You may have seen some of these claims:
• Mann/Baker: The project will cost taxpayers $25 million
o Fact: The project will cost taxpayers zero dollars (Source: City of San Clemente)
• Mann/Baker: The buildings are 64 feet tall
o Fact: The tallest part of a building is an ornamental tower that is 39.7 feet tall, which can be eliminated if necessary (Source: City of San
Clemente)
• Mann/Baker: The project is four stories tall
o Fact: All of the buildings are one and two story, except for the front of the parking structure which is three story (Source: City of San Clemente)
• Mann/Baker: 120 parking spaces are lost and people will have to walk across El Camino Real to get to the Ole Hanson Beach Club
o Fact: 199 parking spaces are gained, although 13 of the currently
existing 296 are moved across El Camino Real (Source: City of San Clemente)
o Fact: There will be more parking in the vicinity of the Ole Hanson Beach Club than there are now (Source: City of San Clemente)
• Mann/Baker: The project is 75,000 square feet
o Fact: the project is 67,130 square feet (Source: City of San Clemente)
• Mann/Baker: The project will cause three new traffic signals on El Camino Real
o Fact: The signal intersection at Pico and El Camino Real is about to be improved. It is already funded by developer fees (Source: City of San Clemente North Beach Traffic Study)
o Fact: One additional traffic signal at the entrance to the train station is planned because of Marblehead-induced traffic increases is already funded by developer fees (Source: City of San Clemente North Beach Traffic Study)
o Fact: One pedestrian crossing signal will have to be built and paid for by the LAB (Source: City of San Clemente North Beach Traffic Study)
o Fact: A signal might have to built years from now if all other North
Beach properties (not the LAB) are built out and an additional parking lot is built on the other side of El Camino Real (Source: City of San Clemente North Beach Traffic Study)
• Mann/Baker: Traffic will be gridlocked at North Beach
o Fact: We can expect significant traffic increase at North Beach which is directly attributed to the development of Marblehead, especially the Outlet
Mall (Source: City of San Clemente Traffic Study)
o Fact: The additional traffic generated by the LAB is ³insignificant² and all traffic response times will remain within acceptable standards (Source:
City of San Clemente Traffic Study)
All of the above information can be verified on the City web site at
http://san-clemente.org/sc/Standard.aspx?PageID=528.
When the City conducted a public information forum to present the facts on North Beach, many of Mann and Baker¹s claims were refuted. Their response? Mann and Baker tried to discredit the City Manager and City Planner. In addition, one of their campaign coordinators, an attorney, threatened the City Manager and City Planner with personal lawsuits. I have a copy of the email that contains the threat.
On the surface this is silly but I think it is very sad. City employees should not be threatened or intimidated for doing their jobs. This kind of behavior is inexcusable.
In a couple of weeks San Clemente voters will be asked to vote on Measure W to decide the direction of North Beach. For 25 years North Beach has slowly decayed with boarded up buildings, vacant lots, trash, and homeless people. There have been various proposals for restoration of the Miramar Theater, the old Casino Dance Hall, buildings on the corner of El Camino Real and Pico, etc. Nothing has happened, and nothing will for another 25 years unless we do something.
We are already five years into a process to fix North Beach. It began with a visioning document that was formulated out of a year of public meetings and input. Then there was an open competition to select a commercial partner to implement the vision. The LAB was selected over two other, higher density proposals that included hotels, condos and high density retail. For two more years public workshops have been held and the Playa del Norte plan has been revised and downscaled twice.
What has emerged after five years is a plan for restaurants and culinary shops surrounded by greenbelts, courtyards with beautiful landscaping, sitting areas, views of the ocean and connections to the Coastal Trail. I have studied these plans and know that this is our chance to create something truly beautiful, and with a unique San Clemente feel. Best of all, it will all be done at private expense and will not cost the taxpayers a dime.
Once completed, we will have a vibrant gathering spot that brings people back into North Beach, which will allow other businesses to prosper as well.
There will certainly be a stronger business case for restoring the Miramar Theater. A fine dining restaurant at the Casino Dance Hall would have a greater chance at success. The value of the entire area will rise so used car lots and rental yards can be converted to best and highest uses. Just go down to North Beach, walk around and ask yourself if we could do better than this.
Some people might think that lying is acceptable in politics. My response is it doesn¹t have to be that way. We the voters decide at the ballot box whether or not to reward politicians for lying. I urge you to strongly consider whether you want to reward Charles Mann and Bob Baker for their misinformation campaign.
Measure W has not been politics as usual. Even though I supported Mann and Baker¹s other causes such as Measure C and Measure V, I¹m sorry to say I have lost a lot of respect for these two guys. If they built their case on Measure W on truthful arguments I wouldn¹t have a problem because I can always accept honest differences of opinion. But lying to the public while seeking public office is one step over the line for me.
Most important, I encourage you to get the facts on Measure W and decide for yourselves. It¹s your choice what to believe and you don¹t even have to believe me. Objective facts can be found at the City¹s website http://san-clemente.org/sc/Standard.aspx?PageID=528 . Read the ballot.
Measure W says the project, which is still a work in progress, must
ultimately conform parking, traffic and view corridor requirements before it is allowed. If you have any specific questions you are welcome to ask me ¬
I will try to be as factual as possible.
It¹s been 25 years since the Miramar entertained movie goers and the Casino Dance Hall was Sebastian’s Dinner Theater. Both closed their doors, North Beach started to erode, and nobody has come up with a realistic plan until now. We can make our community a better place and create a new, fun gathering spot to meet with friends and enjoy the ocean air. I encourage you to do your homework because if you find out what is being proposed, chances are you will join me in support of Measure W.
Please feel free to pass this along to your friends.
Thanks,
Bill Hart

Remember in the mid to late 60's when Laguna Beach removed all those stores/shops/etc from the west side of PCH to create Main Beach? I do. Look at the old pictures when the Broiler and all those things were there.... they had the forsight to remove them to create what is now arguably one of the most scenic city type views on California's coast. Here in San Clemente, to avoid the angst of one day having to tear it all out, let's continue (or should I say begin?) to be VERY stingy and careful about destroying viewshed and creating dense retail right on beach access and the coast.... NO on W It is Wrong for San Clemente...

www.visionsanclemente.org

Where were we? We were here amigo.... The Lab mess is more inland OC trash retail-- no matter how much lipstick you put on it, it's a pig. It takes away beach parking, lowers the status of convenient easy access to the OTHER side of pch-- what a huge demotion. All so an out of town retail center developer can build his third mega strip mall and tower above what is there now. Trust me--- if it is built, it's all you'll see from PCH as you remember what the ocean view used to look like...The original visioning was much smaller, this steals family and comuter parking, and just adds to the mess that the outlet mall (if it comes...) will create. Of course we can do better than this---Don't listen to the constant stream of half truths from the developer and his little army of paid schills....NO ON W Check out the website below and/or go visit the Lab or the Camp in Costa Mesa his other 2 disasters--- do you want that zero imagination development here and right on the beach? NO ON W

When I moved here this was a sleepy little beach town. I loved it that way. Then came Walmart, Talega and a bunch of other stuff. The downtown shops couldn't compete.
Someone had an idea to make a few changes. Look at it now. It's thriving. There's actually food choices beyond Denny's and Pedro's. Now the town is a place where someone with a great idea can have a chance to see it work. The place is cleaning up. Spanish buldings are slowly eating up the 80s yuck!

Where were all of these NO people when we beautified the sewer or agreed to the outlet mall or built a Sav-On across the street from the Rite-Aid? Maybe we couldn't control any of that, here's something we can! This proposal has been picked through and scaled back by a group of residents that have worked for years to try to keep san Clemente from becoming just another overbuilt beach town. If we pass this advisory vote we keep our options open. If we don't, who knows what we'll end up with at North Beach!

YES Truth and Facts are available at the following sites:
www.san-clemente.org
www.pronorthbeach.org
www.thenorthbeachproject.com
We are encouraging anyone who would like to make an informed decision to compare the information from the pronorthbeach and thenorthbeachproject with FACTS from the City Staff who have been actively working with the LAB and concerned citizens to bring to San Clemente a project that will beautify a run down area and not cost the taxpayers a dime. We will get Fair Market Value for this land, that can then, hopefully, be used to complete parks in San Clemente, JOBS and sales tax revenues.
YES on W. Fix North Beach now!!

Wow-- you continue to spread the yes lies--- the plan eliminates beach parking-- 120 plus spots AND of course requires people to also park over in a structure accross the stret...the signs i saw at north beach were in the empty lot by the 7-11 and I am not surprised the store owners want it-- of course they do-- we residents do not--- go look at the horrible lab developments in costa mesa-- I have-- they are just bad-dull-drab etc... we don't want costa mesa by the sea and we don't need to give away land to the out of town developer to get substandard garbage here--- you need to start telling the truth-- folks around here are wise to the developer half truth spin game--seen it for years... no matter how you slice it this is a strip mall for retail on the beach-- NO thanks-- NO on W

Steve,
You are stating lies from the Baker/Mann campaign. Well, who knows maybe you are one of them! But luckily people are figuring out their M O and it's not good for them.

The current Playa del Norte increases beach parking. No beach goers will have to park across the street and cart their gear.

Playa del Norte will bring revenue to the city when the land is sold at Fair Market Value. The city does not give anything away.

Look at all the YES on W signs on every business except one in North Beach. Look at all the yes signs at peoples' homes in North Beach.

Traffic is minimally impacted given the beauty of the small shops and ammenities for Beach users, Trail users and the commuters who use North Beach every day.

Everyone who takes the time to investigate the facts on this project committ to vote YES. Get the facts on the city website or look at the video on the project at www.thenorthbeachproject.com

The yes folks are getting nervous--- the tide is turning---- yes is about a guy making money--- we don't need retail on the beach at the expense of family beach parking and commuter parking-- what a waste and a sweetheart land give away... NO on W it is way Wrong

http://www.thenorthbeachproject.com/measureW.html
Here's another place to find out the facts. The lies from the no people are getting even bigger! So please find out the truth for yourself. The pronorthbeach and the lab people are class acts. Yes on W!

I really like the responses of John Alpay, Jim Dahl and Chris McCormack. They understand the importance of revitalizing North Beach. The Playa del Norte project is a no brainer and wouldn't even be an issue if this were not an election year. Some of the other candidates have made it their entire platform. I want more than a one issue candidate. I want to vote for candidates who have a plan for SC, not just angry complaints. I want people who are part of the solution, not part of the problem. It is time to fix North Beach. If you have lived here very long, you already know that. Yes on W. Just do it.

You still don't get it. The Miramar and Casino and the entire NB area have deteriorated and stagnated for the last 25 years. What makes anyone think that miraculously that will change? We need to change the dynamics in North Beach and Playa del Norte is just what we have been waiting for.

I agree--- like i heard another resident say---we don't need to be LA or Costa Mesa and residents here will suffer for that with density and wine and cheese bar boredom...No on W

WOW what a load of double speak the below post is! Are you kidding me? This is sooooo clearly a land giveaway it aint close amigo --- the yes crew loses all cred on this issue. The loss of family beach parking, increased density and the final insult? -- abad new mini shopping center-- we can do better than this --- go visit the 2 shabby lab projects in costa mesa----unreal--- NO on W---it's so Wrong

Anyone who has ever bought or sold a house or who plans to buy one knows that the final price is determined once an appraisal is done which is based on the market qualities at the time and the condition of the property. This is no different. In 2 years when the plan has final city and coastal commission approval then the best price for the city will be negotiated. Only then the best value will be determined for the 3 city parcels at North Beach, 2 commercial and 1 a recreational parking lot. Three years ago the developer offered of $3.8 million and was the only bidder who even offered to pay.
MORE beach front parking not less, MORE Open REcreational Space (now an asphalt parking lot). International Design Awards.
FACTS not tired lies. www.san-clemente.org

The land is being "sold" at give away prices for what? Go visit the bad development this knucklehead has done in costa mesa--- he creates nothing new-- sam old trashy mall stores-- very lame-- losing the great family beach parking and open space is a bad move --- NO on W

Wow. No I know the No on W side is losing ground. All they can do is lie, lie, lie. Same old tired scare tactics. Why can't they stay with the facts? Because if he did they would have no argument. Instead they are running scared.

No matter how many times you keep saying the same sound bite lies, I will present the facts.
FACT: Our land is not being given away. The agreement with the developer is to buy the land at fair market value when the City and Coastal Commission give them an approved project.
FACT: There is more beachfront parking with the current plan for Playa del Norte for beach goers. The moms with gear and children going to the beach will not have to cart everything across the street as Mr. Eggleston is still telling people. That is unethical, Mr. Eggleston.
FACT: We have an under utilized asphalt parking lot and can have with Playa del Norte culinary based small shops to buy food to either eat there or take home after a walk along the Coastal Trail. How about additional spots to sit and enjoy the views? That's what we get. Our project is customized for us according to the vision for San Clemente from us. Costa Mesa chose what they wanted. We choose what we want here.
For all the current facts you can view the City presentation.

Public Access Channel 30
Replayed every day at 10 am
Replayed Monday and Saturday at 7 pm
…above schedule until November 4 election
Will also be replayed every night 12 midnight
…midnight schedule through October 20

We don't need a free land giveaway to out of town developers so they can build costa mesa by the sea-- we lose the great family beach parking and commuter access for what??? === nothing---the plans are pretty bad but one trip to the Camp or the lab in costa mesa would make even the biggest shoppaholic vote NO on W

I think everyone has forgotten that San Clemente invited designers/developers to take a shot at uplifting North Beach. The LAB is a quality organization - took abandoned buildings and lots in Costa Mesa and transformed them into community oriented centers. They're on site daily. They care. They have personal relationships with neighborhoods and communities - they are known up here (yes, I'm out of town!) as the "un-mall" people! What more could you want, seeing as you're about to have a monster outlet mall on your ocean view hillside!This is a chance for a locals place. Check out their design. And by the way, there's no cost to taxpayers. NONE. NADA. Don't be MANN-ipulated.

It's incredible to see Mann and Baker lie to the public and then insult city staff by calling their public presentation a sham. Neither of these guys is qualified to be on City Council. Charles and Bob - the don't make staff your enemy! In contrast, take a look at John Alpay. His campaign is running on a shoestring but this guy is awesome. Intelligent, well informed on all the issues and well spoken - he's the guy we need on Council.

Mann and Bakers' bogus flyers are in mailboxes. If they are willing to lie about Facts on W that are acknowledged as true by the City Staff, why would anyone trust them to be on our City Council. This is really scary. If they didn't have Playa del Norte to lie about, what would they be talking about? The TCA trying to undo the will of the people, Target, No money for parks, Marblehead Coastal's delay. We have a lot of issues in town. So what are they focused on the only one that is not a problem. Typical politicians, if you ask me, and they are not even elected yet.
Playa del Norte is a great plan for our home town.
Thanks hope for where we can see the City presentation be replayed.
YES ON W

Charles Mann and Bob Baker are outright lying about Playa Del Norte. They have made all kinds of false statements regarding the North Beach LAB project. Don't listen to them! find out the true facts by going to the city website or www.thenorthbeachproject.com

by the way Steve Knoblock needs to just go away!!!

Vote YES ON MEASURE "W"

Mr No,
Guess it's a good thing that you weren't an art critic when Leonardo Da Vinci was in his prime!! The LAB has won international acclaim/awards for their projects in Costa Mesa. I say to San Clemente residents, YES, go look at them. They develop community specific sites that are green and sustainable. If you looked at this project and stop drinking the Mann/Baker koolade, you would find out that it is low density filled with culinary small shops and places to eat those items, not a "shopping mall"
Please get the facts:
Public Access Channel 30
Replayed every day at 10 am
Replayed Monday and Saturday at 7 pm
…above schedule until November 4 election
Will also be replayed every night 12 midnight
…midnight schedule through October 20

Right Project, Right Time.
YES on W.

Go visit the other two lab projects in Costa Mesa---- do you want that garbage in our wonderful beach city?? You have to see these bad projects before you vote to allow this clown to build another one here---- No on W

No matter how you slice it or how much lipstick you put on it-- it's still a pig. It is just another shopping mess and it's almost on the beach! It ruins the wonderful family beach parking, the commuter parking which is great for the environment and is just another in San Clemente's death by 1000 cuts------we do not need more shopping so close to the outlet mega mall mess and at the cost of this nice little area-- what a shame---- NO on W -- It's Wrong

Frank,
First of all the developer has agreed publically many times and againg during the open comment section of the City Council meeting last week that he will pay for ALL the required parking for the project. The Little American Business (LAB) also was the only Developer who offered to pay for the land and did not ask for subsides from the City.

This current plan by the LAB is an outcome of a Downtown Vision and Strategic Plan that was developed by residents over a 2 year process. On that task force were several members of the Downtown Business Association. They looked at all the significant areas around town. North Beach topped the listfor improvement. Then the City Council voted unanimously to approve this document and move forward with their suggestions.

Right now their are little ammenities for those who start or end the Coastal trail at North Beach. The Coastal Trail is awesome and has put the spot light on how we need to Fix North Beach.

There is a lot of info out there about the specifics of the project: www.san-clemente.org, www.pronorthbeach.org and www.thenorthbeachproject.com

Please get the FACTS and join me in Voting YES on W.

I have only become interested in this issue as I perused the ballot issues.

I agree that something needs to be done to improve the northern gateway to San Clemente. It currently is not aesthetically the most pleasing. But ... a gateway should be an inviting entrance to the city, not the destination. The development of retail properties along the beach could easily cause the Del Mar merchants to experience decreased traffic, sales etc. I am afraid the the "new, sparkly" North Beach development will cause the Del Mar merchant area to experience a downturn in traffic and business thus slowly diminishing the "Old San Clemente" charm and viability.

Finally, let the developer pay for all development -- parking structures included. If it is such a great idea and will provide such a huge amount of traffic and profits, should be no problem justifying the developers investments.

This is the RIGHT project at the RIGHT time for San Clemente. This concept and the integrity of this "out of town developer" (who by the way lives 4 miles up PCH) just blows me away. I truly believe that if everyone is able to get the information on what this is they will believe too.
I do support Jim Dahl’s re election. He is right about this plan to revitalize North Beach. It is what the council approved, Downtown Vision and Strategic Plan, requires. I believe that we have challenges with leadership in SC, always have. I would probably agree with you about Baker and Mann except the way that they have lied and demonized this project and those supporting it, has made me turn away from them as these are not the type of leaders that we need in town. So if they do this on Playa del Norte, then what else will they be doing or not doing. Jim Dahl is right about Playa del Norte.

Last night I saw the presentation from the LAB at Talega...
I am amazed at the depth of consideration that has been given to the needs of North Beach and ultimately all San Clemente residents. The only people who are against this project are the those who don't want change (even positive change) or who have just not done their own research. Mr. Mann and Mr. Baker are using the good will from their C work to get elected and this issue in particular to do the negative rally thing. I am amazed that they refuse to acknowledge the true facts. They just make them up and some people buy it. Dangerous precident.

Mr. Iacono, with all due respect. Right now this area is an asphalt under utilize parking lot and 2 commerical lots, one is the Christmas tree lot that is blocked year round by a green tarp on a cyclone fence, and the other is the Marblehead dirt lot that has the drop from the bluff where the future Pico park is scheduled. Please get more information www.san-clemente.org, www.pronorthbeach.org or www.thenorthbeachproject.com

So really take a look at this project, ask questions. Not all the answers are completed. But we are being asked in November to decide on this project, regardless. If you think that anything different will be done by the city anytime soon, think again. It will take at least 10-15 years, if this doesn't happen now. It's been 24 years since the last North Beach Vision group meet and nothing happened then. What entity in their right mind would touch starting anything in SC if this goes down?

Playa del Norte will add a world class meeting place to our world class Surf.

I agree with the other comments out here-- W is all wrong--- the lab development is backwards thinking-- we don't need on the beach retail we need open space/parking/parks etc etc etc----- NO ON W

PS Go visit the other 2 lab messes in Costa Mesa--- what a mess...

I don't see the LAB as being a benefit to San Clemente. What they have done to Costa Mesa remains to be a ghost town in relationship to a real shopping attraction area. The abstract plans of other LAB projects do not relate to the architectural standards and of this area. The Marblehead Shopping project is a real example of mismanagement. Completion bonds should have been in place to prevent screw up that we see today with nothing planned for the future except an area uncompleted. I say strongly NO TO THE LAB get someone else. Don't put our prestine area up for grabs, the Marblehead is a prime example.....

How does beach front office spaces help our city residents? A park and perhaps a restaurant would be enough to spruce up the area and keep beach front ocean space and views for the people.

Urban Sprawl Dahl is a wreck we need him out....Knobby too..... I have no idea why some people are in such a rush to give this out of town developer the free land-- to me the north beach lab thing looks bad design wise. Why not try to preserve the space, open it up, save the good beach and train parking the way it is now-- maybe add more park? Can't our lame city fathers (and mothers...) figure out a better way to create revenue--- losers

The Area could use some Love without a doubt.. However, Rushing into theis Playa Del Norte Bullshit is not the answer. Be Patient. Everyone is in such a fucking rush to develop! The right project will come!

I would like to hear one good reason why not to improve the current "drunk Dump" of North Beach. Seems to me people just want to bitch about any change that goes on in this city! North Beach and Ole Hanson’s Vision deserve better! Let's not wait any longer on improving North Beach and the life of all of those (like myself) whom actually live there!

Alpay and Dahl are Idiots and not interested in how the residents of San Clemente feel about this project.
Dahl is in complete denial and needs to get out of town!

MANN-CROSBY 2008