The coast news 2013 04 26

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PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ENCINITAS, CA 92024 PERMIT NO. 94

THE COAST NEWS

MAKING WAVES IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

VOL. 27, NO. 12

.com APRIL 26, 2013

A sign staked in northeastern Olivenhain at the beginning of the year urges residents to speak out against the “Desert Rose” development at a City Council meeting. The project was ultimately approved by councilmembers in March. After a long battle at the city level, the Desert Rose debate will play out in court. Photo by Jared Whitlock

Lawsuit filed over ‘Desert Rose’ By Jared Whitlock

ENCINITAS — Residents from Save Desert Rose, a group made up of Olivenhain residents, filed a lawsuit last week against the city and Woodridge Farms Estates over the planned “Desert Rose” development. Everett Delano, representing Save Desert Rose, said that the lawsuit seeks to force the city to complete an environmental impact report for the 16home development in northeastern Olivenhain. In approving the project this past month, the City Council said that the development doesn’t need a full environmental impact report, because it won’t significantly affect the land, including wildlife and a nearby wetland. If the San Diego Superior Court rules that

the city must carry out an environmental impact report, the contentious project would once again go before council. With an impact report on the table, Delano said that councilmembers would be more likely to vote against the development. “The true impacts of the project would be revealed,” Delano said. He added that the developers would have to pay for the impact report, not the city. Marco Gonzalez, the attorney for Desert Rose developers Woodridge Farms Estates, noted that he wasn’t surprised by the legal action. “They’ve threatened this lawsuit all along,” he said. He said that it’s unlikely the court will find that an environmental

ON THE BIG SCREEN Part-time Oceanside resident Rocky Powell says the experience of making his first feature film absolutely ranks at the top. It opens in Oceanside Friday. A16

TURN TO DESERT ROSE ON A21

WALKING FOR A CURE Approximately 3,174 walkers participated in the annual MS Walk at Legoland on April 21 to raise money and awareness for Multiple Sclerosis. More than $360,000 was raised at this year’s event. Above, Walkers make their way past a miniature replica of Washington D.C. More photos from the walk are on page A20. Photo by Daniel Knighton

Grant funds will buy policing, security cameras By Promise Yee

OCEANSIDE — The Oceanside Police Department was awarded $272,000 in Citizens’ Option for Public Safety, or COPS, grant funds that City Council approved receiving April 17. These noncompetitive state grant funds are awarded to California cities based on their population. Like most government funds, COPS grant dollar amounts have declined over the past few years. Still, funds received make a positive impact by paying for additional community policing and purchasing essential equipment. The grant money is Officer McWilson gives a high five to an Oceanside youth at a community event. COPS grant funds help pay doled out in quarterly pay- for school resource officers and gang and violent crime suppression detail. Photo by Promise Yee ments with the final amount ment this fiscal year, but subject to adjustment based Police Capt. Fred Armijo said HOW TO in part on state revenue from the department would not spend promised grant money vehicle funds. REACH US Last year the city was before it is received. (760) 436-9737 initially awarded $300,000, “There is a history of Arts & Entertainment . A16 but the final amount was adjustments,” Armijo said. “I Calendar: reduced to about $272,000. wouldn’t be shocked if we got Food & Wine . . . . . . . . A12 calendar@coastnewsgroup.com As a result a couple of proj- a reduction this year.” Legals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A18 Community News: Initial funds will be used ects listed on last year’s grant community@coastnewsgroup.com application could not be to help pay for school Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A4 resource officers and gang funded. Letters to the Editor: Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A15 The city has already letters@coastnewsgroup.com TURN TO GRANT ON A21 received its first grant pay-

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