Patrick O'Donnell Takes Credit for Potential Dog Park -- Despite He Had Nothing to Do With It

This is so sad. As I blogged yesterday, I have been working for many months on finding a location for an eastside dog park...and I did -- after working  with the volunteers trying to get a dog park and city park staff I finally convinced city staff they could spare some of their maintenance area near the Animal Care Services for a dog park.

I then asked the head of the Friends of El Dorado Dog Park to go and look at the area and to talk with Madeline Bernstein of the ASPCA and talk with her about a potential park adjacent that could also be used as a training site. The meeting took place and it was positive and I convinced City staff that would be the best spot. They agreed.

So today I read in local media outlets that Councilman Patrick O'Donnell  is announcing the dog park at that spot and is holding a rally to support it.

My staff and city staff reached out to Councilmember O'Donnell and suggested we join forces on this project but the overtures were rebuffed.

 Sad. Because we often talk of Long Beach being "one city" and that it doesn't matter what district a park is located. I guess that comment was meant for only certain councilmembers.

Anyway, let's move forward and get this dog park opened!

El Dorado Dog Park Getting Nearer

For many, many months I have been working with residents -- specifically the dedicated folks of the Friends of the El dorado park dog park -- to find a suitable location for a dog park over here in the eastside.

I personally walked and mapped out several areas of available land. My goal was not to use dedicated park area for a dog park but to find land -- large enough for small and large dogs -- that would not take up regional park.

I found it several months ago and set about trying to convince city staff that the property should be used for this purpose. I also suggested that the members of the Friends of the El Dorado Dog Park pay a visit to the site and then talk with the staff at the Animal Care Services shelter which is adjacent to the property. And they did...and they love it.

So here's where the proposed dog park will be if approved by the Parks, Recreation and Marine Commission
-- click this map link to see the parcel which is now used as storage for the maintenance crew of the park. They actually have three parcels (I found them on satellite several months ago) and can consolidate into two leaving this parcel for a dog park.

Of course we will continue having community meetings at which the public can come and let us know if we are on the right track. The plan is for the city to provide the land and the non profit Friends of El Dorado Dog Park to raise funds for its construction and maintenance. Who knows, with Pet Smart just a stone's throw away in the Town Center, maybe they will respond to my request that they become a key sponsor for this dog park!!

Join Me for a Jobs Rally this Thursday

2nd and PCH Plan -- Some Are Complaining of Bait and Switch

There is a meeting of the Planning Commission this Wednesday to review the City staff recommendation about the proposed project at 2nd and PCH -- you know, the one that promises to obliterate the blight at the southeast entrance to the City.

Before I go further, you have to ask yourself...self, why has the city not done code enforcement over there to make the owner clean up the property and stop using it as a parking lot for buses, limos and double deckers? Or has that been the plan all along...make it look so bad that the city would say yes to the first plan to come along to change it...

Anyway, I attended a town hall this evening sponsored by the Los Cerritos Wetlands Trust and listened to a full house ask numerous questions of the guest speaker. Among the many concerns expressed about the project and the city staff recommendation is the fact that city staff has now recommended amendment to SEADIP Local Coastal Plan that will not only allow changes in development restrictions for 2nd and PCH but be used as the template for additional development in SEADIP. Whoah....wait a minute buddy. We have gone from a specific project to an entire development area?

Little problem folks that may land the City back in court like we were taken on the ill planned Home Depot project adjacent to the wetlands...the EIR only addresses the impact of the specific project not changes to an entire zoning area.

The rules are clear and have been since the residents of the area and developers came together in the 1970s and established SEADIP – not high rises (buildings above 35 feet) and traffic and other impacts have to be mitigated. The proposed project breaks all the rules – so that is why some want to change the rules.

I am linking in this article Los Cerritos Wetlands Trust documents; articles on SEADIP; and the topic of the hour – the City staff report.
http://longbeach.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=987797&GUID=2863C647-F6CE-4DD5-8784-795FA85244CC

Traffic Impact

Alternates for site

SEADIP and Traffic

Seadip complaints

Seadip -- Dilemma for the City

Press Telegram editorial praising SEADIP


Stay tuned. It is far from over.