By Todd Lesser, Chair, La Jolla Traffic & Transportation Committee
There has been some confusion about the roles held by La Jolla Traffic & Transportation committee (LJT&T) and the La Jolla Community Planning Association as it applies to traffic and transportation issues. A joint board is required by Council Policy 600-24 for traffic and transportation issues in La Jolla to ensure that there is broad representation of the various geographic sections of the community and there are diversified community interests.
LJT&T is a joint board comprised of two members from the Bird Rock Community Council (BRCC), La Jolla Community Planning Association (LJCPA), La Jolla Village Merchants Association (LJVMA), La Jolla Shores Association (LJSA) and La Jolla Town Council (LJTC). The rules were designed so no one group who appoints two members would get the final say.
LJCPA is the group designated to provide community feedback to the City of San Diego on land-use matters. LJCPA has various subcommittees that review individual building projects for things like Coastal Development Permits and other building permits or whether a building project is in compliance with the local Planned District Ordinances (PDO) for either the business areas or the La Jolla Shores PDO. On all of these subject matters, they are the primary voice for La Jolla with the City of San Diego — but not for traffic and transportation issues.
LJT&T is not a sub-committee of the LJCPA, on the contrary, it is designated to communicate directly with the City of San Diego on traffic and transportation matters.
Unfortunately, to some members of the community, the LJCPA monthly agenda implies that in ratifying the LJT&T actions the LJCPA has the final word on traffic and transportation issues. There is also a public misperception that it is OK to skip LJT&T and simply “pull” the item/ask so that it be heard at the next LJCPA meeting. This is an error of assumption.
On traffic and transportation issues, LJCPA has the same standing with the City as Rotary or
Kiwanis. If people with traffic issues have the time and resources and want to make presentations at various community meetings to get the word out about their situation or event, that should not be misunderstood to mean that the group hearing it is voting to approve or deny the traffic or transportation portion with any special authority. In fact, spending a lot of time on items that are not in the purview of a group may be viewed as a distraction of time best spent on what is actually within the group’s authority.
See the following information for the language from the Bylaws of each group.
If you would like to comment on traffic-related issues in La Jolla and have your voice be heard by the actual organization recognized by the city, I encourage you to get on our e-mail list and start coming to our meetings, they are held at 4 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of the month at at the La Jolla Rec Center, 615 Prospect St. www.ljsa.org/lists
LJCPA bylaws:
‘Article II Section 1. Purposes “The LJCPA has been recognized by the City Council, Planning Commission, City staff and other governmental agencies on land use matters, specifically concerning the preparation of, adoption of, implementation of, or amendment to, the General Plan, or a land use plan when a plan relates to the La Jolla Community Plan boundaries.’
LJT&T bylaws:
“The purposes of the La Jolla Traffic and Transportation Board are: to serve as the focal point for traffic and transportation matters for the community of La Jolla with governmental agencies and with the public…”
“Topics that may be considered by the Board include, but are not limited to: water mains, storm drains and sewers; street paving; traffic signals and stop signs; traffic enforcement; facilities financing; MTDB bus routes and rail lines; bike routes and bike routes; TDM/APCD; parking lots; street lighting and signage; parking enforcement; street repair and cleaning; sidewalks and crosswalks; street parking and rainbow curbs; right-of-way vacation; and ad hoc subcommittees as needed.”