Aug. 1, 2014
A5
T he C oast News
Council members OK specific planor Watermark project By Bianca Kaplanek
DEL MAR — Without any formal plans or permit applications, council members at the July 21 meeting approved a specific plan process for a proposed development on a vacant lot at the corner of Jimmy Durante Boulevard and San Dieguito Drive. “I think the process has lots of opportunities for public input, plus it (requires) Planning Commission and Design Review Board approval,” Councilman Don Mosier said. “So I think the process will work for this project, and I think putting it in a specific plan process rather than going through four independent review cycles will work better and … moves the project forward a little bit faster.” Property owner Watermark DM LP has expressed interest in building a multifamily development on the approximately 2.3-acre lot. Known as Watermark Del Mar, the project was introduced at a July 2013 workshop and included 54
Council members recently authorized the use of a specific plan for a proposed multifamily development on this 2.3-acre lot on the corner of Jimmy Durante Boulevard and San Dieguito Drive. The action was needed because the parcel must be rezoned before housing can be built. Photo by Bianca Kaplanek
one- to four-bedroom apart- rentals. Because the parcels ments and townhomes. Seven of the units are slated to are located in the north be classified as affordable commercial zone, several
legislative changes and discretionary permits must be approved before residential units are allowed.
Land use modifications require community plan and local coastal program amendments and a new zoning map. All three actions mandate action by the Planning Commission, City Council and California Coastal Commission and are subject to an environmental review. Also needed are Design Review Board, coastal and floodplain development, conditional use and land conservation permits. Zoning changes can be made using one of two methods. A sequential process would initially create a new zoning chapter that could not contain any deviations or assess public benefits. A specific plan, which creates a special set of development standards for a particular area, encompasses all the legislative actions and regulatory development parameters and allows the public benefit of the project to be addressed. The property owner asked the city to consider
allowing the use of a specific plan. That will require a citizens participation program, an environmental scoping meeting, presentations to the Planning Commission and Design Review Board and at least three public workshops. In addition, the developers have proposed an informal process that would TURN TO WATERMARK ON A18
Council discusses parking solutions in Solana Beach Gaspar
announces run for mayor
By Bianca Kaplanek
SOLANA BEACH — Addressing a parking shortage along Coast Highway 101 and South Cedros Avenue, City Council directed staff at a July 16 special meeting to bring back more details on four proposed solutions that include valet service, shorter time limits for areas with high turnover, rooftop lots and a change in requirements. Council members generally agreed the first two could be implemented fairly easily, although they had some concerns. “I don’t think it should be used in exchange for required parking,” Councilman Mike Nichols said of the valet service. “This is just to provide supplemental parking for existing businesses.” His colleagues agreed and were also amenable to dedicating a few street spots for drop-off and pickup. But there were mixed feelings about using public lots for a private valet service and the city contracting with a provider. “I’d like to avoid that as long as this private arrangement can really function in an effective way,” Councilman Peter Zahn said. If the idea goes forward, it was suggested that it start slowly, perhaps Thursday through Saturday nights. As long as business owners agree, council members support shortening parking times to 20 minutes at a few spaces in front of stores such as UPS where customers are generally in and out quickly. “I think that this absolutely makes sense,” Mayor Tom Campbell said, adding that approval from the California Coastal Commission must be secured before moving forward. He also agreed with Councilman David Zito that the limits must be strictly enforced. “This one will be fun,” Campbell said sarcastically
By Aaron Burgin
that come in that start to pick away at these and take them down, we’re going to end up with a streetscape … that may not look like Solana Beach. … I personally don’t want to see that happen.” Campbell said the concept is great but not without problems. “Something like this, in my mind, just pours fuel on the fire,” he said. “I would like to see more restaurants, too, but where are they going to park? “I’ve got some concerns about just making these exceptions and just creating a bigger problem than we have now,” he added. It was suggested that rooftop parking and requirement changes only be offered to a limited number of businesses. But council members and some residents questioned the legality. Resident Tracy Richmond, one of only a few peo-
ENCINITAS — After months of speculation, Encinitas Councilwoman Kristin Gaspar announced she would indeed run for mayor, setting up a potential battle between she and council colleague Tony Kranz. Encinitas voters will elect the city’s first elected mayor Nov. 4 after decades of the position being ceremonious in nature. Gaspar made the announcement on Saturday at the 20th anniversary of Gaspar Doctors of Physical Therapy, where she serves as chief financial officer. “During my first term on the council and as Mayor, I have focused on and voted for projects and services the vast majority of citizens support, such as Moonlight Beach renovations, the Olivenhain Fire Station, completing the Encinitas Community Park and improving the quality of our roads,” Gaspar said in a statement. “My public service experience, strong fiscal record, and business skills make me the most qualified candidate to protect local quality of life.” Kranz, who serves as deputy mayor, is one of four people who have already pulled nomination paperwork for a mayoral run. He allies with the current council majority, which includes Lisa Shaffer and Teresa Barth, who has announced she will
TURN TO PARKING ON A18
TURN TO MAYOR ON A18
Council members recently agreed to further study four proposed solutions to deal with a lack of parking on South Cedros Avenue and Coast Highway 101. Photo by Bianca Kaplanek
as the rooftop parking discussion began. “I certainly have some concerns about this particular item. My primary concern is if we go down this road it’s really going to, I believe, change the character of some of these business districts. “I do not want to see bigbox buildings built from lot line to lot line to facilitate rooftop parking,” he added. “I’m not saying I wouldn’t consider it but there would have to be a lot of safeguards.” His colleagues had the same concern. Council members Lesa Heebner and Mike Nichols said they would support it on the west side of South Cedros only. “I think it might help with the employee parking as well as patron parking,” Heebner said. As for allowing it on Coast Highway, she said, “There’s an opportunity for new buildings and I wouldn’t want to see them become
large, boxy, bulky buildings that wouldn’t suit the pedestrian nature and scale.” Based on what some other cities have done, Nichols introduced the idea of allowing existing commercial buildings to convert to restaurants without requiring more parking spaces, as is the case now. “Most of the buildings were constructed before Solana Beach became a city, when the current parking standards did not exist,” Nichols said. “Today most buildings are underutilized because of the current restrictions. They prohibit a change in use from office building to restaurant because they can’t add parking. This is a way of finding new life for those buildings. “Part of the character and the urban fabric and the architecture of Solana Beach … is that we have a lot of old buildings,” he said. “That charm has evolved over time and if you have … projects
ADVERTISEMENT