Most Current Information (Updated 11.20.2012, 6,500 acres dedicated!)
Use the following webpage to review the most current information on dedication approval status:
Online Google Earth Viewer. Click the link to fly around and view sites and their dedication approval status using Google Earth (no need to install any software). Click on individual sites to see specific information, including dept. rationale for not dedicating.
(More info on left-hand menu)
City Land Dedication Proposal
SDCL Proposes 10,000 acres of City-owned Open Space for Dedication
San Diego Canyonlands (SDCL) presented a report on its continued open space dedication efforts before the SD Parks and Recreation Board on June 16, 2011. The response was overwhelmingly supportive. SDCL has recently completed a year-long public review process of it's dedication proposal and community planning groups and the general public have overwhelmingly voted to support dedication of City-owned lands in their respective planning areas. Over 6,500 acres were dedicated by City Council in November 2012.
Click to go to the Public Information Page (Maps/Tables/Etc.) - Updated Regularly.
Click to read the report to Park and Recreation Board (06/10/11).
Click to see the updated map and summary tables (UPDATED 10/20/11)
Fast Facts
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The purpose of Dedicating city land is to provide for reliable open-space preservation and recreational opportunities within communities. It provides a framework for future planning, as the City continues to grow.
- After a public vetting process, which is initiated by citizens, City Council can approve parcels for Dedication.
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Dedication itself does not result in any changes or additional cost in maintenance to the city.
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Lands that are Dedicated require a 2/3 approval of San Diego voters to be converted for non-park uses. Land that is merely "designated" as open space can be converted, transferred or sold with five votes of the City Council.
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Dedicated lands are preserved as natural open space or developed for active outdoor recreation.
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The City Council retains the authority to grant easements for utility purposes across Dedicated property including roads, sewer lines, drainage channels etc.
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This Dedication proposal continues a process that started at the City’s Natural Resources & Culture Committee in 2006 after hearing a Canyonlands White Paper report. Subsequently Parks and Recreation staff produced a report indicating that ~17,000 acres were ripe for Dedication.
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In December 2007, the City ratified State legislation, authored by Senator Christine Kehoe and supported by Mayor Jerry Sanders and signed by Governor Schwarzenegger, that Dedicated ~6,600 acres of open space land. This State legislation allowed the city to save over $1 million dollars in unnecessary entitlement costs.
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SDCL is proposing the Dedication of ~10,000 more acres as a next step to preserve our city’s Canyonlands legacy. SDCL has produced information packages (including tables, maps and Google Earth layers) for each individual site that we are recommending for Dedication. This information will facilitate the required public vetting process and will be posted online for public viewing.
Background:
San Diego's Unique Geographic DNA
For decades City planners have envisioned the conservation of our canyons and unique steep hillsides recognizing that they are our geographic DNA and they distinguish San Diego from other cities throughout the world. In the 1970’s, City Council passed a successful initiative allowing land owners to split their parcels and sell the steep slopes and canyon creek portions to the city. Though the work and planning to defend this vision has required arduous stands by determined citizens (and indeed much has been lost), a system of open space is fairly intact and can be restored to serve a variety of important services. This land amounts to our green infrastructure, the most efficient way to reduce flooding and maintain healthy air and water. It supports species conservation goals, provides an accessible “escape to nature” to urban communities, and serves as nature classrooms for San Diego's youth.
"Dedication" Protects City Lands as Open Space or Parkland | 10,000+ Acres Remain Unprotected
SDCL is currently shepherding an effort to protect over 10,000 acres of City-owned open space, as dedicated land for future generations of San Diegans. Although many important open space areas owned by the City are currently "designated" open space for park use (by our Community Planning groups and Recreation Councils), this designation has no formal protection, and these areas can be converted to other uses, transferred, or sold with a City Council majority (5 votes). In contrast, when City land is "dedicated", it would require the vote of the people to convert the intended use from open space to anything else. Throughout 2009 and 2010, SDCL conducted a review of over 12,300 acres of City open space that have potential for dedication, and currently proposes over 10,000 acres for dedication. We have produced information packages - including tables, maps and Google Earth layers - of every site proposed for dedication, and will begin the public vetting process this fall. Our goal is to achieve the Dedication of ~10,000 acres by August 2012 to lock-in San Diego's canyonlands' legacy for generations to come.
Click for quick background and details.
Dedication Timeline
Our Dedication campaign is the continuation of efforts that began in 2006, when Park and Recreation staff reported to the City Council that over 17,000 ares of City-owned open space was ripe for Dedication. In 2007, a State bill - supported by Mayor Jerry Sanders and authored by Senator Christine Kehoe - was ratified by the City Council, dedicating 6,600 acres that had already undergone the required public review process. However, over 10,000 acres remain to be reviewed by the pubilc, and SDCL will begin this process this fall. SDCL recently received a $42,000 grant from the San Diego Foundation to help us conduct the public vetting process. The goal is to have the parcel list completed and the land dedicated by August 2012. See timeline summary below.
