Specific Recommendations - (Original Page Nos. 49—52)

The Goals, Objectives, and Policies of the Transportation Section of the Del Mar Community Plan reflect the desires of Del Mar and the official commitment of the City to implement those desires. In addition to the general recommendations embodied in the listed policies, more specific recommendations are set forth below to aid in carrying out the intentions embodied in the Goals and Objectives.

Camino Del Mar

The resurgence of traffic on Camino del Mar poses a serious threat to the community as a whole. In keeping with the character of the village, the Plan proposes changing Camino del Mar back to a residential street. This will create both a more pleasing environment and a safer street for Del Mar's citizens. Proposed changes, set forth in a precise plan, are intended to limit the flow of through traffic, provide increased parking, encourage pedestrian traffic from the residential areas of downtown, and accommodate the expanding bicycle traffic. It is also anticipated that the visual and physical character of the street will be improved by adding such amenities as landscaping and benches.

Turf Road

Congestion problems created by activities at the Del Mar Racetrack and Fairgrounds should be resolved through the development of a circulation program in the vicinity of Turf Road that is compatible with the San Dieguito Lagoon environment. This could include widening Turf Road between Via de la Valle and the entrance to the parking lots. An additional desire would be to allow the possibility of closing that portion of Jimmy Durante Boulevard between the Fairgrounds and its parking lot to through motorized traffic. A final consideration would be to landscape Turf Road and the parking lots. Any efforts of these types should be done with the participation and cooperation of the 22nd Agricultural District.

Other Streets

The specific recommendations which deal with various individual streets and street segments are set forth in a precise plan. The purpose of this precise plan is to provide a more pleasing environment for automobiles, pedestrians, and cyclists.

Streets outside Del Mar

In regard to circulation elements which have a critical impact upon Del Mar but which are located outside the City boundaries, it is recommended that the City help guide the planning of these circulation elements through proper concerted actions and by working in cooperation with the other governmental agencies concerned. Specific recommendations follow.

Del Mar Heights Road - The City of Del Mar should recommend to the City of San Diego and the San Dieguito School District that bicycle rights-of-way be constructed on Del Mar Heights Road from Camino del Mar to the elementary schools and to Torrey Pines High School.

Vive Points Intersection - This intersection of Jimmy Durante Boulevard, Turf Road, Via de la Valle, and Stevens Street does not, unfortunately, come under the jurisdiction of Del Mar. During summer months it is one of the City's primary traffic problems. Because of the complexity of the circulation at Five Points, and because so many governmental bodies and private parties are involved, it is recommended that the Del Mar City Council act to establish an intergovernmental committee to ensure necessary cooperation in developing a solution to this traffic problem.

Local and Rapid Transit

Del Mar is unlikely to evolve into a primarily pedestrian-oriented community until a local transit system has been developed and integrated into a regional transit system. This would end both residents' and visitors' dependence on the automobile and the potential for enjoying the City would be enhanced. The realization of a pedestrian-oriented community will, however, require substantial changes in present living patterns, which are likely to occur only slowly as citizens gradually learn to enjoy those unique environmental assets which constitute Del Mar.

Local Transit System - The City should consider the feasibility of initiating a local transit system. The system could be demand activated and able to operate throughout the City and neighboring areas with no established routes. The system should serve Torrey Pines Terrace and Del Mar Heights and Hills, as well as Del Mar, providing transportation for people wishing to go to the beach, Del Mar shops, the railroad station, the fairgrounds and racetrack. The expanded service could be justified, both from an economic and practical basis, as these surrounding areas have direct impact on Del Mar's traffic problems. The system could be initiated on a trial basis, with the leasing of one bus. The City's existing communication network could be utilized for dispatching. The bus should accommodate 12 to 18 passengers and be equipped to handle packages, surfboards, bicycles, wheelchairs, and baby buggies. Information gathered during the trial period of operation of the system would aid in formulating means of operating a permanent local transportation system.

It might also be beneficial to explore the possibility of using the 22nd Agricultural District parking lot as a terminal for mini-bus shuttle service. This lot could be used by visitors to Del Mar and alleviate traffic and parking problems in the downtown area and adjacent to the beach. This terminal could be particularly efficient if a regional rapid transit station was situated near the Fairgrounds parking lot.

Regional Rapid Transit System - The City should work with the agencies involved, such as the University, whose students run the Coast Cruiser, to encourage the expansion of existing systems in providing needed transportation. The City should work closely with the San Diego Comprehensive Planning Organization (CPO) and the San Diego Rapid Transit District (RTD) to encourage the expansion of RTD bus service to Del Mar and the coastal communities to the north. All mass transit systems of these types should be encouraged to use existing rights-of-way in the Del Mar area. The CPO proposed transportation programs should be thoroughly reviewed, and the City should provide input to CPO regarding this far-reaching approach to regional transit. If the radial corridor transit system is adopted, stations serving Del Mar and the adjoining communities should be located at the Del Mar Fairgrounds to the north and in the area between Del Mar Terrace and Sorrento Valley on the south. Provisions should be made in the village center to establish a centralized north and south bound bus stop serving the Coast Cruiser, Greyhound, and the future San Diego RTD buses. Benches, directories, landscaping, and other amenities should be provided at these locations.

Priorities and Implementation

To implement the various circulation recommendations detailed above will require substantial commitment of City funds. Since it is neither desirable nor possible to implement all of the above recommendations at the same time, the following priorities are presented as a guide.

1.

Camino del Mar, because of numerous accidents including one fatal accident, should receive top priority, particularly in the northern and southern sections. The City should immediately reduce travel lanes to one in each direction using double lining with paint, rumble strips, or any other suitable method to show the automobile and bicycle lanes, parking areas and walkways. The cost should be kept low. The benefits should be apparent within a very short time. In addition, consideration should be given to establishing a pedestrian activated crossing light between 25th and 27th Streets.

2.

The central section of Camino del Mar should be immediately studied in detail to determine the feasibility of various design alternatives. These alternatives would include the possibility of reducing travel lanes to one in each direction, providing for bicycle rights-of-way and parking, considering emergency vehicle access, and allowing for a widening of existing sidewalks together with beautification such as street trees, landscaping, and low-intensity lighting.

3.

The City should soon begin investigating a mini-bus. Besides collecting data from other cities using mini-buses, the City should poll the residents as to potential users.

4.

After evaluation of the temporary modification of Camino del Mar, permanent improvements should be made.

5.

As funds permit, the City should implement the acquisition of permanent rights-of-way for access from the bluffs to the beach and for bicycle parking at the recommended locations.

Beach Access/Bicycle Routes/Walkways

As an addition to the above recommendations which have dealt with general automobile, pedestrian and bicycling circulation problems, the following recommendations are addressed to a concern that the City maintain its present character as represented by the natural state of the street ends at the beaches and bluffs. In order to increase citizens' enjoyment of the City's assets, recommendations are made for better access to the beaches and bluffs, for hiking trails, bicycle parking areas, and expanded opportunities for strolling throughout the village.

Bicycle Parking Areas - It is recommended that the following areas, among others, should have permanent parking racks with facilities for locking bicycles: Del Mar Plaza, Stratford Square, Canterbury Corners, City Hall, the Lifeguard Station areas, Seagrove Park, and the end of 11th Street. In addition, it is recommended that the City of Del Mar request the State to construct bicycle facilities at Torrey Pines Park.

Street Ends: Beach area from 18th through 29th Streets - The need for additional beach parking has raised the question of using the street ends for this purpose. However, not enough spaces would be created by formally marking out parking areas to make this worthwhile and, in view of the loss of natural open space which formal parking would create, it is recommended that the street ends be left in their present state.

Bluffs to Beach Access - It is recommended that rights-of-way be obtained and that steps and paved paths be developed down the bluffs to the beach near Seagrove Park, 11th Street, Fourth Street, and on both sides of the mouth of the San Dieguito River.

Hiking Trails - In addition to expanded use of the beach for hiking and strolling through improved access to the beach, as proposed above, it is recommended that the City adopt a hiking trail system. The trail of this system should be narrow dirt paths so that the existing terrain remains in as natural a state as possible.

The City should establish a program to clean up and identify those City alleys and other existing rights-of-way which are generally scenic and serve as convenient foot paths for residents. Residents should be encouraged to improve the visual character of these areas by planting and maintaining flowers and shrubs.

Bridle Paths - The City should consider being a part of any regional bridle path system that serves the San Dieguito River Valley.

Transportation Plan