PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ENCINITAS, CA 92025 PERMIT NO. 94
THE COAST NEWS
VOL. 28, N0. 32
North County craft breweries generate $272.3 million annually By Ellen Wright
REGION — Craft beer has become a huge industry in North County and brings in 53 percent more annually than Comic-Con International, San Diego’s largest annual convention, according to a report released by San Diego North Economic Development Council. The report was released Aug. 6 at the North County Craft Brew Symposium, which was held at the Vista Community Center. Vista now has more breweries per capita than any other city in the nation, according to Eric Bruvold, president of National University System Institute for Policy Research, who complied the report. He found that craft beer in North County, generated $272.3 million in 2013. Comic-Con International generated $177.8 million for the city in 2014. The industry supports close to 1,700 jobs both directly and indirectly. North County has nearly 40 breweries and brewpubs employing about 850 people. Indirectly, North County’s craft beer industry keeps $37.2 million in the local economy because industry employees buy goods and services locally. “Just as the craft brewing industry has become an integral part of the city of San Diego’s identity, the same has happened for North County, providing the
area’s locals access to breweries and brewpubs, and creating a vibrant Beer Tourism industry,” said Brian Scott, President of San Diego Brewers Guild. The symposium held on Wednesday was the first of its kind and organizers hoped to raise awareness of the economic benefits of the North County craft brew industry. Carl Morgan, CEO of SDNEDC said there is a campaign to insure that North County craft beer is being served in local restaurants and the local hospitality industry. “It really is a part of the overall brand when we are talking about and promoting our region and how important it is to support that industry by making sure the taps in our restaurants are serving North County craft beer,” said Morgan. CEO of Stone Brewing Co. Greg Koch also talked about the importance of local establishments serving local beer. “I only eat at restaurants that serve San Diego craft beer because you gotta wonder, where else are they compromising that’s not so obvious,” Koch said of restaurants that don’t serve craft beer. According to Bruvold, brand awareness for craft beer happens mainly through word of
Dollars and Suds
Solana Beach has been recognized in a national study for getting it right with its improvements to the Coast Highway 101 corridor. Photo by Bianca Kaplanek
the historic downtown to the detriment of pedestrians and local businesses. “Through an extensive planning process that en-
gaged community members and business owners, Highway 101 was redesigned to be a safe and appealing complement to the commu-
SAN MARCOS -NEWS
.com THE VISTA NEWS
.com Sightings of RANCHO SFNEWS campaign signs .com causing confusion After change in policy, city officials say signs are legal By Aaron Burgin
TURN TO BEER ON A22
By Bianca Kaplanek
Aug. 8, 2014
An Encinitas City Council candidate’s campaign sign is causing some confusion over city’s sign policy. Photo by Tony Cagala
Solana Beach lauded for getting it right SOLANA BEACH — Major improvements along Coast Highway 101 recently earned Solana Beach, the second smallest city in San Diego County, national recognition for getting it right. In Dangerous by Design 2014, a report by Smart Growth America’s National Complete Streets Coalition, Solana Beach was lauded for the roadway redesign that features narrowed lanes, curb extensions, midblock crossings at popular crossing points and wider, continuous sidewalks. The report notes that Coast Highway was often used as an alternative route to Interstate 5, resulting in people speeding through
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nity’s character,” the report states. “The safer and more appealing street has encouraged store owners to renovate their facades, and new businesses have opened.” Also noted was the fact that while speeds were reduced, automobile access was not diminished. The report includes a nationwide survey of existing streetscapes that are poorly designed and case studies on ones that are done correctly. “Little Solana Beach got put in this national report about how to do things right and how to do sidewalk planning, bicycle planning, TURN TO RECOGNITION ON A9
ENCINITAS — Have you seen political campaign signs at some homes throughout Encinitas already, and wondered if isn’t it a bit early for the signs to be posted? It is earlier than years past, but it’s legal, city officials said. A new city policy that the council adopted in March allows for property owners to post up to two campaign signs on their property at any time, a major shift from the former policy which restricted campaign signs to a 33-day window — 3o days prior to and three days following an election. City officials clarified this recent change to its interpretation of the city’s sign ordinance in a “frequently asked questions” sheet it released Wednesday afternoon. The city’s action was prompted by number complaints about the seemingly premature appearance of signs promoting Catherine Blakespear’s campaign at more
than a dozen homes. The FAQ sheet asks “what campaign signs can I post outside the 30 day period?” The answer: “On residential property, with the property owner’s permission, temporary signs (campaign or otehr noncommercial message) are allowed subject to certain limitations.” The city then gives the restrictions, which limit the height, number and duration the signs can be posted, six months. The change occcurred with little fanfare at a March 19 city council meeting, when the Council amended its political sign ordinance to allow other so-called “noncommercial” message signs to be erected during the election season. The amendment was supposed to put the city’s code in line with case law to allow all signs — as long as they weren’t signs for commercial purposes such as for real estate or to promote sales — to be allowed during election season. Earlier this week, however, at least one council member said the decision in March went further than that. Lisa Shaffer said it changed the way the city interpreted other portions TURN TO SIGNS ON A22