RB Planning Board Recap: Welcome Sign, Transportation

The Rancho Bernardo Planning Board held its regularly scheduled meeting at the Oaks North Community Center on Thursday, July 21.

Here are some of the highlights:

• Welcome sign: The board agreed to send a letter to the Maintenance and Assessment District subcommittee of the RB Community Council objecting to any further design submissions. In June, the Planning Board , but the MAD Committee is considering making changes. Both the RB Community Council and Planning Board need to agree on a design for the project to move forward. It's not yet clear what happens next. The Community Council will not meet this month due to a lack of agenda items.
• Regional Transportation changes ahead: A number of changes to busing, rail and pedestrian access are part of a longterm plan for transportation changes, said Linda Culp, a member of the planning staff at the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) during a presentation. The 2050 Regional Transportation Plan has a nearly $200 billion budget, and would include improvements to the RB transit center. The public comment period for the project's Environmental Impact Report is open until Aug. 1.
• Stoplight projects hit a red light: Staff received confirmation this week that the two opposed stoplight projects have been halted and the funds will be returned, said Tiffany Leal, the community representative for San Diego City Councilman Carl DeMaio's office. Stoplights were to be installed at Bernardo Trails and Pomerado Road, and at Grandee and Pomerado Road.
• "Road Repair Rally" coming to RB: On Aug. 27, DeMaio will hold a community event to locate potholes throughout Rancho Bernardo. People can come take pictures and point out potholes, which the councilman's staff will work to get fixed, Leal said. A similar event recently was held in Scripps Ranch.
• Bylaws: A six-member bylaw ad hoc committee was created, and the Board rescinded the creation of an official parliamentarian position because it is not part of the board's bylaws. The position had been active, held by Joe Dirks, for about a year.
• New member: Former board member Vicki Touchstone was appointed to rejoin the board representing District F for Bernardo Heights.
• In Memory: The board had a moment of silence for former chair Ellen Willis, who died July 4 after suffering with lung cancer. A public memorial .

The next Planning Board is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 18.

Find us on Facebook and Twitter @RBPatch.