Bird Rock council changes course and will put community name on signs

In a change of course from a decision the Bird Rock Community Council made in April, Bird Rock’s monument sign project now will spell out the community’s name.

The plan calls for two natural rocks topped with pelican statues to be placed in La Jolla Boulevard medians next to the pedestrian crossings south of the Colima Street roundabout and north of the Camino de la Costa roundabout to welcome residents and guests to the community.

The pelicans are planned to stand 3 feet tall with “natural-looking” colors of white, brown and yellow. The rocks are expected to be roughly 5½ feet wide and 3 feet tall.

The BRCC board landed on several decisions for the project’s look ahead of its May public meeting. One detail — whether the signs should speak for themselves or include the words “Bird Rock” — became a sticking point.

A larger-than-usual group of local merchants and residents attended the Community Council’s June meeting, with many questioning the board’s decision to omit “Bird Rock” from the statues.

One resident called the process “a bait and switch” with little community input, while a merchant described the decision as “absurd.”

Critics said the name is necessary to give a better sense of place and boost local businesses.

BRCC President Joe Terry shared a statement from Carl Glowienke, who is set to design and install the signs, that said “A name on a sign says ‘This is where you are,’ but a sculpture — a bird standing proudly on a rock — says ‘This is who we are.’”

Some speakers said they were tired of the project being delayed and that a plaque with the community’s name could be added later if public demand remained high.

Ultimately, the board reversed its decision during a closed meeting Aug. 27 and opted to add “Bird Rock” and a picture of the community’s namesake — a rock resembling a bird shape — on a plaque, Terry said at the group’s public meeting Sept. 9.

Terry encouraged community members to email photos of the bird-shaped rock to info@birdrockcc.org. The council also contacted the La Jolla Historical Society for a photo of the rock, he said.

BRCC Vice President Joe Parker, who presents a “History of Bird Rock” segment at meetings, also offered to help.

Now the group’s focus is shifting to securing approvals for the project.

BRCC submitted most of the information required for the San Diego Cultural Affairs division to evaluate the plan, Terry said. If it is approved, it would move to the Development Services Department.

A line-of-sight assessment also is underway that requires approval from four adjacent property owners. Terry said three of the four have given the green light.

A $25,000 grant from Vanguard Charitable will be used for the sculptures in memory of the late Pat Bender at the request of her husband, J. Dennis Bender. Pat will be honored with a small plaque on the ground in front of the monuments.

Other BRCC news

Lighting project: Though BRCC announced at its July meeting that its long-anticipated lighting project on La Jolla Boulevard was expected to begin in the following weeks, permit delays have further held up the project.

“We initially thought there was a quick permitting process, and that was started by our lighting contractor, and the city said ‘No, you have to do it the hard way,’” Terry told the group at the Sept. 9 meeting. “So now they have to do it the hard way.”

Terry said he expected a majority of the lights would be covered by a rapid-review permit and that the lights will be installed shortly after the city gives the project the nod.

The plan is to install in-ground uplighting fixtures at 36 trees “to help identify the Bird Rock commercial district” and make it “safer and more attractive at night.”

Four merchants offered to provide electricity — Decker’s Dog + Cat, Bird Rock Coffee Roasters, Beaumont’s restaurant and Cheer Home Care. Each will be reimbursed for associated costs.

Bird Rock Happy Hour: As summer draws to a close, Parker said he hopes BRCC can pack its next group happy hour with community members.

The council will have a private space at Beaumont’s (5662 La Jolla Blvd.) beginning at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24. For additional details, email info@birdrockcc.org.

Next meeting: The Bird Rock Community Council’s next regular public meeting is at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7, at Bird Rock Elementary School, 5371 La Jolla Hermosa Ave. Learn more at birdrockcc.org.