Volume XV, Issue 43
www.solanabeachsun.com
Oct. 20, 2011 Published Weekly
Council discusses use of community center BY CLAIRE HARLIN EDITOR@DELMARTIMES.NET
Residents are calling the Fletcher Cove Community Center an immaculate oceanfront icon after its $350,000 renovation — and they are also calling on the Solana Beach City Council to bring the facility’s usage to the table.
■ Local author urges youth to reach for their dreams. Page 4
At the Oct. 12 City Council meeting, community members embarked on a formal discussion with council members with no action being taken. Issues mentioned include curfew, frequency of use, noise, parking, security and alcohol consumption. Longtime Solana Beach
resident and active community member Peter House presented a letter composed by himself and about 10 other former council members, leaders and planners. He said donations from those who signed the letter comprise 75 percent of funding for the Fletcher Cove Community Center,
Cheers! South Crossing
which officially reopened to the public on July 1. The goal of the letter, he said, was to promote the responsible use of the center, and the group addressed issues such as noise, curfew and how to put down a deposit on facility usage. The possibility of enforcing valet parking or bussing was
EDITOR@DELMARTIMES.NET
Marybeth Oblon, Eleana Musick, Ivy Gordon and David Oblon enjoyed the “Cheers! South Crossing” event held on South Cedros Avenue Oct. 15. The evening featured jazz, appetizers and tastes from five wineries. See page 13.
BY CLAIRE HARLIN EDITOR@DELMARTIMES.NET
In what they cited as a difficult decision, Solana Beach City council members unanimously agreed on Oct. 12 to allow owners of a blufftop residence on Pacific Avenue to fill in five large seacaves on the beach below their home. The seacaves, which stretch three to 19 feet into the bluff, were originally
JOHN R. LEFFERDINK
619-813-8222
The Solana Beach City Council granted a one-year project extension to American Assets Trust on Oct. 12, for the 12,947-square-foot Solana Beach Corporate Centre to be built at the southeastern corner of Stevens Avenue and San Rodolfo Drive. The developer cited “poor market conditions” as the reason for the delay, and is continuing to work with architects to address prospective tenant feedback for an alternative building design. The extension is the developer’s second and final exten-
sion as allowed by the City. The project, which was approved by the council in 2008, will have 781 parking spaces and offer both office and retail space. The single story structure will be no more than 45 feet in height, except for one elevator enclosure, which will be 51 feet above the finished floor level. American Assets owns several other Solana Beach commercial properties, including Lomas Santa Fe Plaza, Solana Beach Towne Center and the recently purchased former trailer park land located on S. Highway 101 and Dahlia Drive, which sold for nearly $7 million.
PHOTO: JON CLARK
Solana Beach approves concrete cave infills
■ North County a sweet spot for chocolatiers. Page B1
SEE COMMUNITY, PAGE 6
Extension granted on Corporate Centre BY CLAIRE HARLIN
■ Ambitious young dancer steps it up on ‘The X Factor.’ Page 10
brought up to accommodate the lack of adequate parking in the area surrounding the community center. He suggested a 9 p.m. curfew, which several people, including Councilman Dave Roberts, said was too early. A handful suggested
filled in 1991. The applicant, the Bannasch Family Trust, said direct wave attack has eroded the bluff further, endangering both the home and beachgoers who might wander into the caves. The caves will be filled with concrete that is colored to match the bluff, and the infills will be keyed into the rock.
SEE CAVE, PAGE 6
Special Halloween Carnival back to benefit SB schools Come see future artists, scientists, and physical specialists dressed in their most creative costumes at a tradition of 30- plus years fall fundraiser known as the Halloween Carnival. Proceeds from the Oct. 23 event benefit the children’s enrichment programs at both Solana Vista and Skyline Elementary Schools. The enrichment programs are referred to in the school curriculum as “wheel.” “Wheel” includes art, physical education, science and technology, subjects no longer available at some schools statewide. Teachers’ salaries and the supporting materials needed is an ongoing yearly chalRachel Jackson, Taylor Knutzen and Ally lenge. Solana Beach Foundation for LearnPerlman at last year’s carnival. SEE CARNIVAL, PAGE 6 Photo/Jeanne Ferris
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