Volume 19, Issue 12
Community
Accomplished Del Mar educator honored with book. See page 5.
Lifestyle
■ See inside for a variety of photos of community events.
www.delmartimes.net
Residents voice concerns over office complex BY JOE TASH Representatives of a local developer gave an informational presentation about a proposed new office complex near the intersection of State Route 56 and Camino Del Sur before members of the Rancho Penasquitos Planning Board on Wednesday, Feb. 3. Residents of the area also were allowed to speak regarding the proposed project, the Preserve at Torrey Highlands. The project would include three office buildings of 4, 5 and 6 stories, respectively, and a seven-level parking structure. The project would include a total of 450,000 square feet of office space. Some community members are concerned because the project — south of SR 56 and on the west side of a planned extension of Camino Del Sur — would be surrounded on three sides by the Del Mar Mesa Preserve, a 900-acre parcel of open space earmarked for recreation and habitat preservation. The project is proposed by Cisterra Development, which is based in Carmel Valley. Currently, the developer is working on environmental studies, and the plan would need approval by the planning board and the San Diego City Council. Before the project could be built, the city would have to approve an amendment to the community plan for the area, as well as a zoning change. Cisterra bought the 11-acre parcel in June from the Catholic Diocese of San Diego, which at one time had planned to build a church on the property. The Feb. 3 discussion was held before the land use committee of the planning board. No date has been set for a hearing before the full planning board. But some residents were on hand to let board members know of their concerns. “What are the benefits to the community to change this plan? I don’t see the benefit when we have lands that we are stewards of,” said resident Mary Ann Eisele. “(The parcel) was never envisioned to be an employment SEE COMPLEX, A22
COURTESY PHOTO
A rendering of the approved Pacific Highlands Ranch Recreation Center.
Pump track, parkour, play fields: Park gets approval from council BY KAREN BILLING The Carmel Valley Park and Recreation Council approved the plans for the new Pacific Highlands Ranch Community Park and Recreation Center at its Feb. 2 meeting, bringing the community one step closer to a park with the first bicycle pump track in San Diego and one of largest turf sports fields in the city. “I’m truly impressed by the whole park,” said Marilee Pacelli, recreation council chair after the council’s unanimous vote of support. “I actually think the recreation center building itself is going to be truly amazing.” Manjeet Ranu, chair of the park design committee, said he is proud that his group was able to work at “rocket speed” with the help of their “fantastic consultants” Schmidt Design Group and Hanna Gabriel Architects. “We came up with a park that is loaded with features,” Ranu said. SEE PARK, A22
Finn Mallery wins Earl Warren Spelling Bee
Del Mar Times An Edition of
380 Stevens Suite 316 Solana Beach, CA 92075 858-756-1403 delmartimes.net
February 11, 2016
COURTESY PHOTO
Principal Adam Camacho, Finn Mallery and Assistant Principal Kaitlin Wood.
BY KRISTINA HOUCK Earl Warren Middle School has a new Spelling Bee champ. Eighth-grader Finn Mallery took first place in the Feb. 2 competition at the Solana Beach school. “I was really surprised,” Finn said. “I didn’t expect to make it that far.” Students had to first compete in their English classes. Two students from every class then went on to the school-wide competition.
A total of 40 students participated in the Spelling Bee. After an hour and a half and 16 rounds, Finn spelled “consciousness” to beat second place finisher Natalie Feldman. Anna Ginzberg came in third place. “It was just a really supportive environment,” Principal Adam Camacho said. “The kids were cheering each other on. It was a proud moment.” As a seventh-grader, Finn
competed last year in his English class, but he did not make it to the next level. This year, Finn studied for the event during a recent road trip to Mammoth Mountain. “I won my classroom, so I decided to start studying for the school one,” he said. “It’s useful to know how to spell things,” added Finn, who doesn’t know yet what he wants to do when he grows up. “It will help with getting a SEE BEE, A22
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