PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ENCINITAS, CA 92024 PERMIT NO. 94
THE COAST NEWS
.com SERVING NORTH COUNTY SINCE 1987
VOL. 32, N0. 50
DEC. 14, 2018
Judge sets housing deadline
SAN Solana MARCOS -NEWS Highlands . continue talks
By Carey Blakely
SOLANA BEACH — An unfinished hearing on the THE outcome of the Solana Highlands revitalization project VISTA drew over 100 residents and NEWS 31 public comments on Dec. 5, with about half speaking for, and half speaking against, the project. The hearing will continue on Dec. 17, to address many of the unresolved questions and issues left pending on the topic. Council will either approve or reject the project, which RANCHO requires certification of its final environmental impact SFNEWS report, approval of the development review permit, a structure development permit and a vesting tentative parcel map. Solana Highlands is a 13.4-acre apartment complex off of Stevens and Nardo avenues, currently comprised of 198 residential units. The complex’s longtime owner, H.G. Fenton, is proposing a revitalized complex with 260 units, of which 32 will be reserved for low-income senior residents, 62 or older. The new complex would require at least two years of construction. The project is estimated to cost $76 million. At the meeting, John La Raia, H.G. Fenton’s vice president of government and community strategy, said the new site would potentially house 4 percent of the city’s population. A revitalized Solana Highlands has been in the works since 2010, but the city’s View Assessment Commission rejected the
ENCINITAS — Superior Court Judge Ronald Frazier issued a written ruling on Dec. 12 that overturns Proposition A for this housing cycle only and orders the city of Encinitas to adopt a legally compliant housing plan within 120 days. The ruling does not order the city to implement Measure U or Measure T, however. Frazier’s decision marks the resolution of two lawsuits filed against Encinitas by San DiFrazier ego Tenants United and the Building Industry Association over the city’s failure to enact a state-mandated Housing Element. Housing Element law requires cities to provide enough housing to meet the needs of all its residents, from very-low income earners to above-moderate ones. Encinitas remains the only city in San Diego County lacking a state-certified plan and has been much maligned by the plaintiffs and other parties for its continued non-compliance. But that will have to change within the next four months. Now freed from the restrictions of Proposition A — which gives Encinitas residents the right to vote on housing projects with substantial density increases and building heights greater than two stories — the City Council will be less TURN TO RULING ON A5
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By Lexy Brodt
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RUNNIN’ FEVER
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San Diego-based ownership of Carlsbad 5K brings world class leadership. Page A11
After 64 years, Encina Power Plant goes dark By Steve Puterski
CARLSBAD — Just before the stroke of midnight on Dec. 11, the iconic Encina Power Plant ceased power-generating operations for the first time since its construction in 1954. Carlsbad City Attorney Celia Brewer made the announcement during the City Council meeting, receiving an enthusiastic applause from the packed house. Taking Encina’s place is the Carlsbad Energy Center, a natural gas “peaker” plant, which will generate about 530 megawatts of flexible power to the region, according to NRG Energy spokesman David Knox. NRG Energy owns both facilities.
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As for the city, Assistant City Manager Gary Barberio said an agreement between NRG Energy and the city requires the power company to decommission and demolish the plant within three years. The old facility used to generate 965 MW, he said. “It is definitely iconic, the building and tower. The power plant’s been there for pretty much the city’s entire life,” he said. “Some say it’s a beacon and some say it’s an eyesore. Nonetheless, it’s an older plant that’s served its useful life and now we’ll have a different source of power that is ENCINA POWER PLANT ceased operations on Dec. 11 after cleaner.” The first step, though, 64 years of generating power to San Diego County. A new
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natural gas peaker plant owned by NRG Energy on the same site is taking over generating power. Photo by Steve Puterski
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