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Volume 4 Number 3  |  Summer 2016
IN THIS ISSUE
- Should Our Park Entrance Be a Condo
         Project

- El Corazon Aquatic Center
- FELC Freedom Day Parade
- Once in a Blue Moon (Summer Party)
- FELC Event Sponsors
- New Memberships & Renewals
- Volunteers Are Crucial to our Success
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"The Vision for El Corazon is to create a 465 acre park in the center of Oceanside with a rural look and feel to the trails, roads and amenities so that the park provides an escape from city life."
SHOULD OUR PARK ENTRANCE BE A CONDO PROJECT?
If You Disagree, Attend the Planning Commission hearing Monday, Sept 12 at 6 p.m.
 
By, Diane Nygaard
The answer to this question, according to the El Corazon Specific Plan is “NO”! The small, privately owned parcel at the main entrance to the park is planned for a resort hotel on the north and commercial/office use on the south. These parcels were a key part of the economic plan for the park, which allows a small amount of commercial development where it makes sense in order to fund the long-term operations and maintenance of the park. But the developer of the southern parcel, Shopoff Realty Investments, always wanted to build townhouses, regardless of what the Specific Plan says. A recent amendment to the Specific Plan now allows horizontal mixed-use in this area in addition to the vertical mixed-use that was already part of the adopted plan. However, both the Specific Plan, and the city's agreement with the master developer limit the allocation of land uses between these two developers. The maximum number of residential units allowed here, is 32, not the 70 Shopoff is proposing.

The answer to this question, according to the Friends of El Corazon, is also a resounding “NO”! We cannot double the number of residential units without drastically compromising the entire plan for El Corazon. We cannot play favorites and come up with a new set of rules for one developer. We cannot pretend that enhanced landscaping, setbacks, and two entrance signs compensate for forever changing our park entrance. In addition, two little storefronts are not what we had in mind for commercial development.
 
We ask that you also just say “NO”!
 
This project would require what we consider to be a major, unacceptable amendment to the El Corazon Specific Plan. It would exceed the allowed number of residential units, convert commercial land to residential, compromise the financial plan for the park, and forever change our park entrance to one more housing development in Oceanside.
 
You Can Help! Please join us by saying No --
 
1. At the Planning Commission hearing Monday, Sept 12 at 6 p.m.

2. In an email to the Mayor and Council at council@ci.oceanside.ca.us Let them know that we want our Mayor and City Council to reject this proposal. Either they support the community's vision for El Corazon- and the Specific Plan they all adopted - or they put this developer first.

Our community has a vision for a park in the heart of Oceanside. We need you to help us make that happen. If you have any questions, please call 760-724-3887.

 

FELC Wows the Crowds at Oceanside's Freedom Day Parade



Our float featuring swaying tree branches instantly caught the eyes of onlookers along with our train of a red, then white and blue convertibles during this year's Freedom Day Parade June 30th in Oceanside. We would like to thank all those who supported us by helping to decorate our float, road in our cars waving our red hearts and waving to crowds, or walked along side us with in a stroller brigade as s we made our way up Coast Highway during the annual parade. It was a lot of fun and we all had a great time while increasing awareness of El Corazon Park and FELC!

Please check out the official parade video from KOCT TV featuring FELC and be sure to join us next year! To see our float coverage in the parade, fast forward through the parade video link here to 1:30 and enjoy! (click here)

EL CORAZON AQUATIC CENTER PLANS MOVE FORWARD


This is a rendering of the proposed Aquatic Center design at El Corazon

The City of Oceanside now has a signed contract with an architectural firm to design our new municipal pool! This is great news and we thank the Swim Club of Oceanside for working with us to highlight this need to the City Council. It will take years to get the pool built but these early design stages are the key to getting there. Representatives of Friends of El Corazon have met multiple times with City Staff and the architects. We like the facility architecture, and the design is well thought out. The facility is described on the City website, "Main components will include a 56-meter competition pool, diving boards, instructional pool, splash pad, administrative offices, meeting rooms, large multi-purpose hall, locker rooms and outdoor recreational and viewing areas.”

FELC especially likes the way that the outside reflects the Irving Gill architectural style. It is a nice complement to the high standard set by the Senior Center. The layout seems to have good consideration of maintenance needs, therapy, recreation and competitive swimming. We are not experts on the competitive needs, so we will defer to the Swim Club on that. The architects also designed it to work with the Senior Center for events and classes.

While we are thrilled that design work has begun, we do have some issues with the location. Our concerns include whether there is adequate parking in the final design as well as noise impacts to the Senior Center.  There is currently a berm built up between the Senior Center and the sports fields parking area. We confirmed that City staff and the architects understand that the berm and the parking for the fields is only temporary and cannot be relied on in any final plan. While the two centers are currently designed to work together, we have significant concerns about the noise coming from a busy pool during a wedding or other event in the beautiful Senior Center patio area. One option mentioned is to schedule events and hours of availability to avoid conflicts. However, Saturday mornings will be popular for both uses so we don't know if that will work.

Relocating the Swim Center from its planned location to a new site that ensures we still get full use of all the different parcels of land in the final build-out of the park will require a whole series of related site changes. As stewards of the park, we believe it is important to relook at all of the components of the adopted plan to make sure they can still be accommodated in a way that preserves the community's vision.

Any group that wants to have input should contact Nathan Mertz at the City of Oceanside because this is the critical time to get design changes made.

These are the plans for the Aquatic Center and upcoming public meetings (click here).
“Once in a Blue Moon” Summer Party a Big Success!

 
The early evening weather was ideal and the company even better as FELC, along with more than 75 of its members and supporters celebrated another year of progress in the development of El Corazon Park. Our second annual event was held Friday, July 29 at the El Corazon Senior Center Patio. Guests enjoyed a delicious Hawaiian themed meal and the musical talents of the New York Johnny Trio. We also displayed updated maps of the park and shared details of what’s on the horizon in terms of the park’s development.

A variety of gift baskets were included in an opportunity drawing that raised more than $500. This money will be used to continue our work in developing a second walking trail at El Corazon.

FELC extends a special thank you to our event sponsors:

AgriService, Inc. - AgriServiceInc.com
Agri Service provides recycling services and operates full service compost facilities in Southern California. Working with local and state government agencies, the Agri Service team develops green waste facilities to meet the needs of communities, professional growers and hobbyist gardeners. We have over 30 years of experience in soil science and plant nutrition and 15 years of experience with urban organic recycling, permitting and regulatory compliance. Our team's combined experience allows us to assist cities and counties in managing and reducing their waste flow in an environmentally and economically sound manner. Our flagship operation is the public-private partnership of Oceanside's El Corazon Compost Facility, started in 1995. By balancing incoming material flow with outgoing sales of mulch and soil amendment products, El Corazon has processed over 1 million tons of green waste, creating high quality soil amendments, mulch, and potting mixes for use in Oceanside and the surrounding communities. Along the way, we're proud to have enhanced the community by providing educational and outreach programs and creating competitive living-wage jobs.

Moody’s El Corazon Recycling – Find us on Facebook or call 760-433-3316
We are proud to provide the materials that will help you redo your yard. We have Dirt, Sand, Gravel, Rocks both small and large that are yours for the taking. Remember to bring your shovel and containers in your car or truck so you can get what you may need. We are open; Monday - Friday 7:00 am till 4:00 pm Saturday 8:00 am till 3:00 pm.

Golden Coast Mead – GoldenCoastMead.com
Golden Coast Mead is an Oceanside based company that crafts authentic, modern meads that delight ecologically conscious and adventurous consumers. We endeavor to restore the health of the honeybee through the transformation of the honey market. We intend to lead the mead category as a creative, quality and regenerative force for good in the world. We endeavor to be a force for good in the world, specifically by helping bees, bee keepers and the ecosystems they an we depend on. We give 1% of our gross revenue to causes that help bees thrive. Save the Bees. Drink Mead.

Kinane Events – Find us on Facebook and follow on Twitter
Kinane Events is a full service Event Marketing and Management Agency that has managed many of Southern California’s largest running/walking/cycling and Triathlon events. The company is recognized nationally for its attention to detail as well as its passion for listening to the needs of participants and sponsors. It is also dedicated to developing and enhancing high quality, cause-related events that have a positive, measurable impact on the community, like Oceanside’s annual Turkey Trot!

Shopoff Realty Investments - Shopoff.com
Shopoff Realty Investments is a real estate investment firm specializing in offering qualified clients diversified long-term investment opportunities that can be used to create a customized portfolio consistent with their unique financial profiles and goals. Our clients comprise a wide range of investors and joint venture partners that includes banks, developers, builders, high-net-worth individuals, and the public in general. We provide access to a broad spectrum of investment products and opportunities with the potential for high returns, including residential, multi-family, commercial and retail properties, mortgage banking products, and real estate investment trusts. For more than 25 years our firm has been known for its dedication to personal integrity, operational transparency, industry expertise and our total commitment to the success of our investors.

Sudberry Development - is a San Diego based real estate development and asset management company that specializes in quality shopping center projects and mixed-use town center communities. We celebrate our contributions to shaping the ever-evolving real estate landscape, creating unique projects and exceptional live-work environments. We pursue every aspect of our business with a great sense of responsibility and duty to the communities we build in; ever-cognizant of the unique culture and people who live there. Please visit our website for more information SudberryProperties.com


Other important sponsors that helped make our event a success include:
  • Richard & Kim Duquette - 911law.com
  • Jan & Ron DesRosiers for catering services
  • Dave Newman for his graphic design services – dave@beachbound.org
  • Mattucci Wines - MattucciWinery.com
  • Oceanside Museum of Art – Oma-Online.org
  • Charles Doherty of Doherty Concrete in Oceanside – Find us on Facebook or call 760-535-9295
Welcome New Members of FELC for 2016
Thank you and welcome to our newest members of Friends of El Corazon for 2016. Your support is important to our ongoing efforts as stewards of the Park.
  • John and Diane Allison
  • Eugene and Viann Chan
  • Norma Cooper
  • Dana Corso
  • Marlena Dauod
  • Sara A. Gengler
  • Connie Gentili
  • Andre Ghaffary
  • George and Eve Heyman
  • Kathy Kinane
  • Zell Lundberg and Tina Mitchell
  • Ellen McKissick
  • Shannon Miller
  • David and Alla Moller
  • Marilyn Mullinix
  • Ray Nardo
  • David Newman
  • Victor Roy
  • Berte Windsor
Events Calendar:
- Monday, September 12, 2016 – Oceanside Planning Commission Meeting at 6 p.m. City Hall

Please like us on Facebook to view where we will be in the coming months!
 
Help FELC With a New Amazon Smile Account
In an effort to further support FELC, one our members changed her Amazon account to an Amazon Smile account and designated Friends of El Corazon as her charity of choice. From now on, whenever she purchases anything from Amazon.com, our organization will automatically receive one half of one percent of the total purchase amount!
 
If you would like to do the same, please click below


Thank you for your support!
How To Contact Us:
eMail: info@friendsofelcorazon.org
Phone: (760) 724-3887
 
Mailing Address:
5020 Nighthawk Way
Oceanside, CA 92056
 
Donate to FELC with PayPal
(
click here)
Board of Directors:
Diane Nygaard – President
Joan Bockman – Secretary
Ken Hacker – Treasurer
Jan DesRosiers
Teri Ellis
George McNeil
Tina Ortiz
Julie Taylor
Friends of El Corazon Park Copyright © 2016 All Rights Reserved






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Friends of El Corazon · 5020 Nighthawk Way · Oceanside, CA 92056 · USA

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