Dana Point Harbor Now! Members continue to gather signatures and now have records of more than 1,400 supporters who are urging the Coastal Commission to approve the city of Dana Point’s Local Coastal Plan Amendment to allow for the much needed improvements to the land side of the harbor. We are preparing to attend the Coastal hearing in April and will confirm the exact date as soon as we are notified. We hope that you will all attend.
Visual Simulation of the Proposed Festival PlazaOn January 8, 2009 we had four speakers at the meeting of the California Coastal Commission and we won’t let up until the Commission approves the LCPA. Our speakers included the following, shown as they were videoed at the hearing:
Barbara Herr, a member of the walkers group which uses Dana Point Harbor every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, said: “My fellow members of Feet Fleet and I have waited a long time for the revitalization which is going to provide enhanced access to the harbor and a festival plaza which will enhance our enjoyment of this recreational amenity. Because many of us are on fixed income, we can enjoy the harbor at no cost, by walking and relaxing in the public areas. We want the improvements that will be possible with the LCPA and want to urge the prompt processing of the plan so the County can proceed with the city of Dana Point to implement it, making this resource available to boaters and walkers alike.”
Bill Shepherd, Bill Shepherd, a 25 year visitor to Dana Point Harbor, had this to say: "Dana Point Harbor is a special place to me and my family. The harbor is a place for wonderful memories. It's one that friends and I have enjoyed over the years with our children and now grandchildren. It's a friendly hospitable place. It's an ideal location for exercise and leisure activities. The harbor is more than a commercial area or a place to keep a boat. It's a vital center for residents, visitors, families and children to visit and enjoy. But my grandchildren don't ask to go there like they used to. It has aged and there are many new alternatives in our area.The harbor needs more than a face-lift. It needs revitalization and rejuvenation. The harbor needs the change that has been carefully crafted by the City of Dana Point and approved by the County of Orange. No longer can we allow the harbor to stagnate. We need this plan to go forward now. We have waited a long time and this change is vital to our economic vitality and quality of life. The County, the City, the residents and boaters have labored long and hard to incorporate a variety of solutions to increase parking to accommodate visitors and boaters and to make restaurants and stores convenient and accessible. We need this change. We need it now."
Gunther Lehmacher, a member of the Dana Point Boaters Association told the Commission, “I am a supporter of the harbor revitalization which I think is essential to maintaining the vitality of the various harbor uses. I am aware that this plan has not been scheduled for public hearing, but it has been going on for so long, I am getting impatient for the improvements. As a boater, I want to have nice harbor amenities to better enjoy the total harbor experience and I believe that the County and City have found a balance between the various uses that will make Dana Point Harbor an even nicer place to visit. I know you have heard from some boaters that are complaining about the plan, but I wanted you to know this boater does not share their concerns and I wanted you to hear from those of us who support the proposed plan.”
Donna Kalez, owner of her family-owned business, the first in Dana Point Harbor, Dana Wharf Sport Fishing, spoke about her support for the revitalization of Dana Point Harbor and the need the sport fishermen have for the parking proposed in the new plan. As a business that serves over 85,000 visitors to the harbor every year for fishing, educational tours, whale watching, etc., Ms. Kalez understands the need to update the harbor through the approval of the LCPA.
Thank you for supporting DPHN! We are making progress, but we still need your help! Please help us by getting your friends and family to sign our petition on our website:This newsletter is brought to you by our Steering Committee:
Chair: Wayne Rayfield, former Mayor, City of Dana Point,
Chuck Johannsen
Bob Becker
Terry Walsh
Carlos N. Olvera, President of the DPH Historical Society
Pat Fairbanks, President Dana Point Civic Association
Bob Fairbanks
Doris Walker, Dana Point Harbor author-historian
John Bates
Wyatt Hart, Former Mayor of San Juan Capistrano
Chris Evans, Former President of the Surfrider Foundation
Jim Miller, President of the Dana Point Harbor Association
