The San Diego Association of Governments wants to hear public input before it creates a new regional plan. Last updated in 2015, the regional plan acts a blueprint for how the county will grow over the next 30 years.
SANDAG is required by the federal government to modify the regional plan every four years.
Part of that update process includes a Public Involvement Plan with community workshops. Monday's meeting was the first of 10 planned public workshops SANDAG is hosting ahead of the 2019 Regional Plan.
At a Caltrans building in Old Town, around 100 people had group discussions where they talked about issues like transportation and the environment.
Maria Cortez came to the meeting from City Heights. Cortez said she is a frequent rider of public transportation and has been to similar workshops in the past. She believes the transportation system downtown has improved, but not in the North County.
“The bus stops that they do have are far and few in between," Cortez said. "We’re dropped off at the station or at the bus stop, and where do we go? How do we get there unless you get an Uber?"
Cortez said she does not use ridesharing services like Uber or Lyft.
"Unless you have other modes of transportation, like a friend to pick you up or a taxi and there goes more money," she said. "It’s really hard and difficult.”
SANDAG said they expect to have nine other workshops similar to this one. For people who cannot make them in person, they have setup an online survey that runs through Dec. 15.
