by Marva Bledsoe, Business and Community Political Action Committee
 
The Oceanside Chamber of Commerce has joined the growing list of businesses and healthcare providers supporting the Medi-Cal Funding and Accountability Act initiative.  Californians United is a coalition sponsoring this amendment to the existing Medi-Cal laws and focuses on closing loopholes and eliminating the Act’s current “sunset clause” scheduled for January 1, 2017.
 
In an impartial review by the Legislative Analyst’s Office supports the initiative.  That Office summarizes the fiscal effects of the measure as follows:  1)  State savings from increased revenues that offset state costs for children’s health coverage of around $500 million beginning in 2016-17 (half year savings) to over $1 billion annually by 2019-20, likely growing between 5 percent to 10 percent annually thereafter; and, 2)  Increased revenues to support state and local public hospitals of around $90 million beginning in 2016-17 (half-year) to $250 million annually by 2019-20, likely growing between 5 percent to 10 percent annually thereafter.

by Marva Bledsoe, Business and Community Political Action Committee
 
Our voices need to be heard!
 
The City of Oceanside’s General Plan Land Use Element is the primary source of long-range planning and policy direction used to guide growth and preserve the quality of life in the City.  This section of the Plan is critical as Oceanside looks to the future of development in our city.  However, the Land Use Element has not been amended since 1988.
 
These 28 year old Land Use planning guidelines are antiquated, cumbersome, ineffective and they do not reflect our present day needs.  In order to update this segment of the City’s General Plan, the City Council must allocate funding from the City budget to accomplish this important task.  While it may not be as appealing as other aspects of the budget, it is critical to the future development of our community. 

By Eric Robertson, MiraCosta College 

My name is Eric Robertson and I’m a Professor of Communication at MiraCosta College.  For the last 10 years I’ve been teaching in San Diego County, and during that time I have worked with thousands of Millennials.  These individuals have grown up with different circumstances than previous generations.  Recession, war, and technology have been some of the unique influences that shape their worldview.  Below are a few points to consider when thinking about this group.

by Marva Bledsoe, Business and Community Political Action Committee
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The City of Oceanside’s General Plan is the primary source of long-range planning and policy direction used to guide growth and preserve the quality of life in the City. Oceanside’s General Plan contains 10 elements many of which were adopted in the 1970’s while others were adopted more recently due to changes in State law or changes in the conditions affecting Oceanside. As our community grows and changes, the various elements will continue to be updated and amended to ensure that the guidance they provide for future growth within the community reflects the actual desires of the residents and businesses of Oceanside.

by Amber Ter-Vrugt

Concerned with economic development?
Today, Tracey Bohlen the Economic Development Manager discussed reviewing commercially zoned property in Oceanside to protect the economic climate in Oceanside. Tracey and the 11-member Economic Development Commission are concerned with the multitude of projects requesting general plan amendments.  They’d like to see smart growth in Oceanside and are looking to the council to consider general plan updates in land use and other development related components.

Bottom line, if you want to rezone commercially owned property to a residential use in Oceanside, better prepare a fiscal analysis.  And, if you’re concerned with the future growth strategy of the City, get involved.

The Emerging Issues committee wants the Chamber to have a seat on the economic development council. 

Congratulations to Chamber member Villa Storia on the approval of their development project by a 4 to 1 vote at the September 16th Oceanside City Council meeting!  Villa Storia is a new neighborhood project at Highway 76 and Mission Avenue near the San Luis Rey Mission. 

The development is located in the City’s Historic zone on 35 acres adjacent to the San Luis Rey Parish.  It includes detached single family residences, townhomes and 38 affordable housing units.  Villa Storia features bicycle and pedestrian connectivity and public open space which includes community gathering areas.