OCT. 20, 2017
A3
T he C oast News
Oceanside launches online zoning ordinance database
One member of the Watermark Del Mar development team said he personally prefers the scaled-down version but, as an affordable housing proponent, he “would not want to be out in front of not sponsoring a project that meets, dead on, the needs of the (city’s) housing element. Courtesy rendering
Commission prefers smaller Watermark By Bianca Kaplanek
DEL MAR — Asked by City Council to weigh in on Watermark Del Mar, the Planning Commission recommended moving forward with a scaled-down version of the multifamily complex proposed for the southeast comer of Jimmy Durante Boulevard and San Dieguito Drive. Like most project opponents, some members had concerns about traffic but said they were confident engineers would analyze the effects in the draft environmental impact report, which is available on the city’s website for public comment through Nov. 13. “If they say the traffic is less with this residential use than a commercial use, I have no reason to not believe them,” Nate McCay said. “There’s lots of worry about increased traffic but that argument goes like this: There’s going to be more traffic, therefore the project should not be approved. That doesn’t make sense to me.” Preliminary plans for Watermark revealed in 2013 featured 57 apartments and townhomes on the approximately 2.3-acre lot. The following year City Council approved a specific plan for the proposed development, which eventually was downsized to 48 units in one- and two-story buildings. It included seven affordable units identified in the city’s state-approved housing element. Four would be deeded at no cost to a nonprofit benefit corporation in perpetuity. In response to commu-
nity input, the developers revealed a 38-unit version about a year ago. In addition to adding more trees, changing the building styles, creating more open space and increasing setbacks, the reduced version has a new affordable component. There will be six units, with three gifted. Unlike the larger proposal, which meets the housing element goal of 20 to 25 units per acre with 20.24 units, the smaller project provides “substantial compliance to the goal” with 16.1 units per acre. Both options include studios and one-, two- and three-bedroom townhomes and flats and will feature amenities such as a pool, a spa, a recreation area, access from San Dieguito into a parking garage and power line undergrounding. Additionally, five of 13 Torrey pine trees will be relocated onsite and two will be replaced. The 48-unit plan has 96 parking stalls for residents and 12 for guests. The smaller iteration has 81 resident spaces and 19 guest stalls, which exceeds the city requirement. Only two of 10 speakers at the Planning Commission meeting said they support the project, including former Councilman Al Corti, who recently built and moved into a home on Heather Lane just above the development. He said he preferred to see the Watermark project rather than Riverview, a commercial office complex approved for the site in 2008 that was never built.
Bud Emerson said the project could meet the needs of aging Del Mar residents. “We have a lot of single seniors in big houses in town and the step that they make from that big house is often to an institution of some kind, no matter what Happy Acres title you give it,” he said. “For some of those folks this would be a nice transition step to stay in Del Mar.” Emerson suggested converting some of the two bedrooms to one bedrooms or studios to help the city meet its overall affordable housing goal of 22 units. The other speakers, mostly residents of Heather Lane and neighborhoods off San Dieguito Drive, said the scaled-down version is still too big and will increase traffic and decrease safety at the already impacted and dangerous intersection with the newly installed roundabout. Wade Walker said his neighbors aren’t opposed to the project. “They are against the size of it,” he added.
“In my opinion the specific plan is not beneficial to the community other than affordable housing, which I think all of us feel passionate about,” Tracy Martinez said. “But I do think there TURN TO WATERMARK ON A25
OCEANSIDE — The city of Oceanside has begun using OpenCounter: Zoning, a web-based tool designed to help retail/commercial businesses, owners and residents research and explore site-specific zoning requirements based on the regulations of the city’s zoning ordinance. The site is available at https://oceanside.zoningcheck.com and at ci.oceanside.ca.us/. The new tool provides each applicant with a customized map of where their planned project is allowed to operate inside Oceanside city limits, and helps citizens, investors and entrepreneurs understand where uses are allowed “by right,” where they require staff, Planning Commission or City Council review and where they are prohibited. In the past, this data was only available by manually cross-referencing the city’s zoning map with the text from one of three
different zoning ordinances. This tool strives to make complex municipal regulations and processes easier to understand for everyday citizens. By moving some zoning inquiries online, the city is hoping to be able to provide faster, reliable, targeted feedback to the community 24/7. The new zoning tool also gives information to city staff that will provide a new level of insight into economic development trends in their community. “We’re aiming to increase communication and eliminate confusion,” said City Planner Jeff Hunt. “City staff will also have access to a powerful suite of administrative tools to analyze proposed land uses while citizens are given a remarkably high level of service that reduces their discovery process down to a few minutes, and then puts them in touch with subject matter experts for targeted follow-up.”
Voted San Diego’s Favorite Pizza! Relaxed, Casual, and Delicious... We’re Much More than Just Great Pizza!
NOW OFFERING GLUTEN FREE PIZZA & PASTA! ORDER ONLINE... WE DELIVER... PATIO DINING
Moonlight Plaza
ENCINITAS
DELIVERING ALL CARLSBAD
315 S. Coast Highway 101 On the corner of Encinitas Blvd &101
Pickup & Delivery Location 959 Tamarack Ave. Carlsbad • Next to Vons
760-434-2222 760-942-2222 WE DELIVER ALL OUR PIZZAS, PASTAS, SALADS, & DESSERTS For online ordering & catering menu visit www.LeucadiaPizza.com
Home Improvement Project?
Many construction materials can be recycled Carlsbad has adopted the California Green Building Code. Dispose of leftover construction materials properly. Recycling services are available! · · · · · · · ·
Lumber Composite Cardboard Carpet Rock and soils Asphalt paving & roofing Gypsum board Concrete
Contact 760-929-9400 to order a recycling bin for your construction project
5 KIDS BEACH YOGA
$
Swami’s Beach in Encinitas Proceeds to SD youth yoga programs Weekend Adult Classes
SocalBeachYoga.com (847) 849-9697
www.carlsbadca.gov/building