The coast news 2013 08 30

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PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ENCINITAS, CA 92024 PERMIT NO. 94

THE COAST NEWS

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MAKING WAVES IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

VOL. 27, NO. 24

AUG. 30, 2013

The McClellan-Palomar Airport seen from above. A feasibility study prepared for the County examined possible enhancements to the Carlsbad airport, including extending the runways, which would allow increased air traffic. Photo courtesy of San Diego County Airports Administration

COAST TO COAST Courtnay Midkiff poses in front of the Verde River in Arizona along his walk across the country to raise money for Fabry disease, a rare genetic disorder. He started in Virginia Beach, Va. March 1 and will finish the journey this Sunday in Oceanside. See story on page A8 Courtesy photo

Group wants to name dog park after late councilwoman By Jared Whitlock

ENCINITAS — The nonprofit Encinitas Garden Festival & Tour committee would like the two-acre dog area in the community park to be named the “Maggie Houlihan Memorial Dog Park,” or a similar name. This week, Sanford Shapiro, a representative for the committee, said the group would donate $7,500 for enhancements to the MAGGIE HOULIHAN park if named after ments section of the City Houlihan. The plan was proposed Council meeting last week. Shapiro said the name during the public com-

Business is good Mayor Matt Hall highlights how well Carlsbad is doing in his State of the City speech. B1 Limiting toxins California is attempting to become the first state to set a new drinking water standard for limiting chromium-6. B4

is fitting, because Houlihan, who lost her battle with cancer about two years ago, advocated for parks and dog-friendly areas during her time as mayor and as a councilmember. “She was loved and respected,” Shapiro said. “We know her passion for animals.” Also, he said the committee is looking to pay tribute to Houlihan, who spearheaded the Encinitas Garden Festival & Tour. For the past eight years, the annual walking

tour has celebrated gardening and horticultural heritage by featuring gardens throughout the city. He said that the $7,500 could go to shrubbery, trees, benches and other improvements in the dog park, which is currently under construction. It’s expected the entire community park will be completed by spring of 2014. In response to the committee’s plan, the City Council will review naming procedures for parks or

Two Sections, 44 pages

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Arts & Entertainment . A16 Food & Wine . . . . . . . . B10 Legals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A21

The Solana Beach City Council voted on Wednesday to set a use policy for the Fletcher Cover center. A3

Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A4 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A18

TURN TO DOG PARK ON A23

Calendar: calendar@coastnewsgroup.com Community News: community@coastnewsgroup.com Letters to the Editor: letters@coastnewsgroup.com

County studies city airport for enhancement By Rachel Stine

CARLSBAD — The County Airports Administration is studying the possibility of extending the runway at McClellanPalomar Airport, an improvement that could allow safety, revenues and more aircrafts to soar. In 2011, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors authorized a feasibility study of runway improvements as part of preparations of McClellanPalomar Airport’s 20152035 Master Plan. The resulting study, which was completed earlier this month by KimleyHorn and Associates for the County, recommended improving the west end portion of the runway and put forth three different alternatives for extending the runway over the landfill at the edge of the airport’s property. The cost of the project alternatives studied ranges from $48 million and $95 million and would be paid for with local, regional and federal funds, according to the study. But the additional air traffic from the longest runway extension alternatives has the potential to bring in an added $163.2 million in additional revenues and a $500 million increase in

local and state tax collections within 20 years, the study stated. The improvements would increase safety and operational efficiency and in doing so accommodate an increase in ground and air traffic at the airport. Furthermore, a longer runway would allow heavier aircrafts carrying larger fuel loads for traveling longer distances to take off from the airport. The study first and foremost recommended that the county improve the grading and materials of the airport’s west end runway, where 97 percent of the aircrafts take off. The changes would reduce or prevent aircraft overrun during departure. C o u n t y Communications Specialist Gig Conaughton clarified that the airport does not have any safety deficiencies at this time and the recommended improvements to the west end would act as a “safety precaution.” The study also put forth alternatives that would extend the runway by either 22 feet or 900 feet and connect one or both of the airport’s taxiways. A runway extension would require the airport to TURN TO AIRPORT ON A19


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