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T he C oast News
Zone change allows for new homes By Promise Yee
OCEANSIDE — The City Council approved an agricultural to residential estate zoning change to allow the development of 27 homes on north Stallion Drive. A highlight of the planned development is site views across the valley. “The views from up there are dynamite,” Lou Lightfoot, president of Lightfoot Planning Group, said. “The views of the valley, agriculture area and (adjacent Arrowood) golf course are the selling point.” William Ramsey, city planning consultant, said the requested zoning amendment is a “house cleaning item” to align zoning with land use. The former chicken ranch has kept agriculture zoning, while its land use was deemed suitable for development in 1968. Its agriculture zoning designation is viewed as a holding zone, to help stabilize property tax. The owner took action to get the land out of the agriculture preserve TURN TO HOMES ON A16
MARCH 25, 2016
Roundabout near fairgrounds gets the OK By Bianca Kaplanek
DEL MAR — Del Mar’s first roundabout will be built at the intersection of San Dieguito Drive and Jimmy Durante Boulevard. Council members at the March 21 meeting deemed the environmental impact report adequate and authorized staff to complete the final design and advertise for construction bids for the traffic calming device. After analyzing three options — including no change to an existing stop sign and a traffic signal — the EIR consultants determined the roundabout to be the environmentally superior alternative. According to the study the rotary will provide improved traffic circulation for conditions through 2035. It also offers benefits to local air quality, greenhouse gas emissions and noise and meets the objectives of improving the pedestrian and bicycle experience identified in the community plan, according to the staff report. Councilman Al Corti,
City Council recently approved a 100-foot diameter roundabout at the intersection of Jimmy Durante Boulevard and San Dieguito Drive. Construction is expected to be complete next year. Photo by Bianca Kaplanek
who could not take part in the 4-0 vote because he lives on Jimmy Durante close to the project site, said it’s not uncommon for motorists to exceed the 40 mph speed limit. A frequent user of the intersection as a driver, walker, bicyclist and motorcyclist, he said he supports the roundabout. So did resident Hershell Price, who said a stoplight wouldn’t “fit into the city.” He said his only request is that it
not be too small. The roundabout will be approximately 100 feet in diameter and include curbs, gutters, pedestrian ramps, sidewalks, landscaping and signage. Two residents submitted an email also in support of the rotary after they witnessed a mother leaving her baby in a stroller on the side of the road to grab her other child who ran into the street. Four other speakers, all
residents of the San Dieguito Drive canyon area, opposed the project, saying it would intensify an already gridlocked area during events at the nearby Del Mar Fairgrounds. That said getting in and out of their neighborhood is already difficult enough. They also expressed concerns about the ability of fire trucks and ambulances to respond to emergencies. “Many people are in love with the idea of the Europe-
an roundabouts,” Annette Wiesel said. “Down at the beach colony it fits. … Jimmy Durante is different. Jimmy Durante is designed to have traffic move in and out of Del Mar at 40 miles an hour.” Beth Westburg said people leaving the fairgrounds often make illegal U-turns there and at other areas to get to Interstate 5. She said more people will use the roundabout to get back to the freeway, which will further exacerbate traffic. Studies have indicated not much can be done to alleviate heavy traffic at the intersection during the San Diego County Fair and horse race season. So as a condition of approval flagmen will be required to direct motorists at the intersection during those events. A hotline will also be set up so people notify city staff when traffic is unusually backed up. Simulations have shown that emergency vehicles have TURN TO ROUNDABOUT ON A16
Carlsbad City Council certifies special election results By Steve Puterski
CARLSBAD — Officially, it is over. The City Council on Tuesday certified the election results for the special election regarding Measure A, the controversial proposal that was defeated 52 percent to 48 percent in
February. Nearly one month later, however, the topic is still of contention with residents, especially those who opposed the measure. Residents filled the council chambers to voice their displeasure with the council and their staunch sup-
port of the proposed luxury retail center on the south shore of Agua Hedionda Lagoon. The project was created by Los Angeles-based Caruso Affiliated, which spent nearly $10.5 million to support the measure in the most expensive election in San Diego County history. According to San Diego Gas & Electric Senior Communications Manager Stephanie Donovan, the utility had a contract with Caruso Affiliated subject to certain contingencies. Since Measure A failed, the property is still in contract with Caruso Affiliated, Donovan said. Rick Caruso, CEO of Caruso Affiliated still has the option of proposing a project on that land within the agreed terms of the contract. “Among those contingencies was that, if Mr. Caruso did not move forward with the proposed development, the property would revert to ‘status quo’
for now,” she said. Donovan said there are no other immediate plans for the land and the remainder of the property would continue to be designated open space, should Caruso not propose any further projects. Leaders of the No on A campaign, however, continued to rail against the plan during Tuesday’s meeting. “Thank you to this community, to the almost 40,000 residents who mailed in their ballots or ventured into the polls to vote,” President of Citizens for North County De’Ann Weimer said. “Now we are here on the first week of spring to talk about restoration and renewal. How we restore our confidence in our elected leaders, how we are reborn as a united community.” Weimer said three steps are needed, which include two concerning the land and the third accountability and prevention. She proposed a post Prop D citizens committee
to forge a plan that would fast track creation of trails and park land, and the immediate withdrawal of all elements of the General Plan designed to facilitate the Agua Hedionda South Shore Specific Plan. “We need to repair what was lost in this four year romance with this developer,” Weimer said. “We need to know how this relationship evolved. Because of this conduct, our city hall and city staff are no longer a trusted source for impartial information.” While some railed against the council and city staff, others offered pleas of reconciliation and healing. “I have made an effort to get to know every member of the City Council,” said resident Valerie Lindholm. “I know the decision you made was difficult. I still feel the decision you made was the right decision for Carlsbad. I supported you then, I support you now and will support you in the future.”