MARTINA MCBURNEY-WHEELER, San Clemente
Just when we thought it was safe to go back into the water, our beloved beach town is once again under threat of another predator trying to sink its teeth into us.
For years, active and engaged citizens fought to fend off the threat of San Clemente being a thoroughfare connecting the 241 to the I-5 by the TCA. The city spent an obscene amount of taxpayers’ dollars on consultants without a clear statement of work and to BBK on a lawsuit that was rendered moot in their claims of resistance against the agency.
The city claimed victory with the signing of the Los Patrones Parkway Extension Cooperative agreement that would connect the 241 to the I-5 using Pico as a conduit. This agreement also included ambiguous language in regard to the creation of HOV lanes on the I-5 in San Clemente by the OCTA.
One of the proposals, Alternative 2, would widen the I-5 with the addition of northbound and southbound lanes. This would require the use of eminent domain and certainly encroach on homes, schools and businesses.
While most of San Clemente and perhaps the country were busy debating on a non-binding resolution to make a city where surgical abortions aren’t even performed in a “Sanctuary for Life,” the deadline for public comment on the scoping session came to a close on Aug. 15 at 5 p.m.
I urge all residents to contact the OCTA with your concerns and demand a “no build” option.
