Neighbors Challenge SDSU Arena Plans

A group of homeowners filed a petition challenging the environmental impact report on San Diego State University’s planned sports complex, asking that trustees retreat from their approval of the 12,000-seat indoor arena until traffic and parking problems are addressed.

The petition, filed Monday in San Diego’s Superior Court, alleges that the report “fails to discuss and consider potential economic and social impacts” of the $34-million arena and the 76,000-foot recreation center that officials plan to build at Aztec Bowl. Those behind the petition say the proposed complex will “result in unacceptable neighborhood intrusions,” which includes clogging the streets with traffic and making parking impossible for residents.

“How are they going to get out? Picture graduation, where there’s 10,000 people and the cars are lined up 10 deep. Then picture an event of 12,000--they haven’t given enough thought to it, there’s no question in my mind,” said Dr. Ivan Baronofsky, a surgeon and vice president of Alvarado Estates Community Assn., the 100-member organization that filed the petition.

Attorneys Craig Courter and Karen ZoBell, who represent the group, asked the court to direct trustees to reconsider the environmental impact of the entire project. Courter and ZoBell were unavailable to comment.

The proposed sports complex, which has pitted homeowners against students, would provide a home court to both the men’s and the women’s basketball teams. The men’s team plays in the San Diego Sports Arena; the women’s team usually takes the court at Peterson’s Gym on campus.

SDSU spokesman Rick Moore said the university had adequately answered concerns about the environment. To quell the fears of neighbors, the university plans to set up a 24-hour hot line to handle complaints, including those about litter, traffic, noise or parking.

Others said that the complex, to be located just east of 54th Street, would be a valuable campus asset that would not blight the area.

“I will oppose it (the petition) as vigorously as I can,” said SDSU’s athletic director, Fred Miller. “Because that is a cost-effective site, it doesn’t overpower the campus. . . . Neighbors are concerned that there are going to be too many cars, and I think the university is sensitive to that.”

Times staff writer Curt Holbreich contributed to this story.