PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ENCINITAS, CA 92024 PERMIT NO. 94
THE COAST NEWS
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MAKING WAVES IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
VOL. 27, NO. 14
JUNE 21, 2013
Prop A looks headed for a narrow victory By Jared Whitlock
With the Planning Commission’s approval, 5.4 acres of some of the last agricultural lands in Carlsbad and a small house, pictured above, will be demolished and subdivided for homes. Photo by Rachel Stine
W ITHERING AWAY Drive to be demolished and subdivided into lots for 17 single family homes at its June 19 meeting. The land has been used for agriculture for at least the past 70 years and is currently owned by Robert Miles and his family, who grow interior palm trees and other succulents on the property. But with a decline in demand during the economic downturn, Miles’ business has had to reduce the amount of plants By Rachel Stine it produces and is selling the portion of his nursery land as a CARLSBAD — With another plant nursery downsizing result. “Our market has changed dramatically over the past four and selling land for potential house development, Carlsbad’s agricultural and nursery land is shrinking down to little more or five years,” he said. “Since the economy has took a turn for the worst ... our than the Flower Fields and strawberry fields. The Planning Commission approved permits allowing 5.4 acres of a palm tree nursery and a small house along Pio Pico TURN TO AGRICULTURE ON A19
The city’s agricultural land has become limited to the Flower Fields, strawberry fields and a nursery
ENCINITAS — The San Diego County Registrar of Voters released the results of 11,080 ballots Tuesday night after polls closed for Proposition A. With 51.5 percent of residents voting “yes,” the land-use initiative is on track to pass. However, as of Wednesday afternoon, 1,800 mail-in and provisional ballots still needed to be counted. Michael Vu, the county’s assistant registrar of voters, said it’s likely the election will be called by June 21. Initially, the county released more than 8,200 ballots. The early results showed 50.7 in favor of Prop A. Bruce Ehlers, spokesman for Prop A, said Wednesday afternoon that the increasing margin of votes in favor bodes well. “It looks like this is
going to pass,” Ehlers said. In a last push to get voter approval, he said that supporters of Prop A spent the past few weeks “doing what we do best — getting out there and talking to residents.” Mayor Teresa Barth, who was against the initiative, released a statement Wednesday, saying, “I am committed to supporting the voter’s decision and working to bring the community together. I do believe we all want the same thing…to keep Encinitas a wonderful place to live now and in the future.” Billed as a way to protect community character, Prop A would place some zoning decisions in voters’ hands. In most cases, major increases in density and changes in zoning are already subject to a public TURN TO PROP A ON A19
Water board denies permit for toll road extension near Trestles By Bianca Kaplanek
SAN DIEGO — After more than six hours of presentations and public comments, the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board voted 32 at the June 19 meeting to oppose its staff’s recommendation to adopt the waste discharge requirements for a 5.5mile extension of state Route 241, a toll road in south Orange County. The marathon event was a continuation of a seven-hour March meeting that included testimony from stakeholders
such as the Save San Onofre Coalition, project developer Transportation Corridor Agencies, elected officials and surfers, some from Encinitas, Oceanside and Solana Beach. There were concerns the project did not comply with the California Environmental Quality Act, so the board extended the March meeting to allow time to evaluate comments made and prepare responses to issues raised. Based on responses from TCA on questions submitted by the board, water agency staff
Site closing?
and attorneys concluded the CEQA documentation was adequate and recommended approval. TCA used a 2006 environmental impact report for plans that would have extended the roadway to Interstate 5. That project was denied in 2008 by the California Coastal Commission and Department of Commerce. Plans call to end the 5.5mile stretch at Cow Camp Road. Opponents said TCA was trying to “circumvent” the earlier denial and the addition was
Two Sections, 44 pages
The USPS is expected to begin a study that would determine the feasibility of closing the Leucadia Post Office. B1
Arts & Entertainment . A14 Food & Wine . . . . . . . . B10
Reducing traffic Carlsbad is nearing the completion of a project that will improve traffic flow. A6
Legals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A18
The first of several cottages for active and retired military are unveiled. B1
Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A4 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A17
the first segment to bring the roadway to I-5 so a new EIR should have been completed. Supporters said it was a modification to the 2006 plan so a new EIR wasn’t required. Of the hundreds of people who packed the meeting room, lobby and overflow library, 57 spoke. Of them, 36 opposed the project, also called the Tesoro extension. They included San Diego District 3 Supervisor Dave Roberts, Solana Beach City Councilwoman Lesa TURN TO TRESTLES ON A9
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Hundreds of people representing both sides of the issue packed the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board meeting room, lobby and overflow library. Photo by Bianca Kaplanek