The Coast News, November 15, 2019

Page 1

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

THE COAST NEWS

.com SERVING NORTH COUNTY SINCE 1987

VOL. 33, N0. 46

NOV. 15, 2019

SAN MARCOS -NEWS

Encinitas awarded .com for innovative housing program By Tawny McCray

STAY OF DEMOLITION: The Carlsbad City Council approved a request Nov. 12 to delay demolition of the Encina Power Plant for up to nine months. File photo

Carlsbad OKs power plant demolition delay By Steve Puterski

CARLSBAD — The iconic smokestack atop the Encina Power Station received a stay of execution. The City Council approved an extension, not to exceed nine months, for the demolition deadline of the regional landmark. Gary Barberio, deputy city manager for Carlsbad, said NRG Energy, which owns the power plant and new peaker plant located behind the old station, stated two reasons for the delay. One is the desalination plant using water pumps from the power plant for seawater. The second reason is an antenna atop the

smokestack, which is used by the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department for its Regional Communications System used by law enforcement and fire departments for emergency response. The goal is to have both items addressed by April 2020, although the desalination pumps may not be installed until June 2020, Barberio said. “We are very hopeful the new system will be up and running for the sheriff’s department by April 2020,” he added. NRG and San Diego Gas & Electric own large swaths of the property, although NRG owns signifi-

cantly more. Barberio told the council he would not discuss a potential agreement with SDG&E and its North Coast Operations Center, which sits along Cannon Road. The city is the land-use regulator, Barberio said in 2018. He said another part of the redevelopment plan is the city finding a suitable location elsewhere in the city for the operations center. A switch station, owned by SDG&E, will remain on site to transition power from the peaker plant to the grid. Eric Leuze, vice president of asset management

for NRG Energy, said the delay is not ideal as it will cost more the longer the process is dragged out. However, according to the 2014 settlement agreement with Carlsbad, NRG is required to demolish the stack and plant to grade level. Over the past several months, numerous residents have called to save the iconic stack, but the agreement, along with requirements from the California Energy Commission, require its demolition, Leuze said. In addition, the stack and plant will not be imploded, but rather “deconstructed” TURN TO DEMOLITION ON A2

ENCINITAS — The city of Encinitas recently received a prestigious award for an innovative housing program that’s allowed for granny flats to be built in the city. Mayor Catherine Blakespear was on hand to accept the Helen Putnam award at the League of California Cities’ Annual Conference in Long Beach last month. The city won for its Housing for Generations program, a multi-pronged effort to address housing challenges through the development of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs,) which are also known as granny flats. This program includes the adoption of two new ordinances for ADU and Junior ADU regulations, the sponsoring of state legislation SB 1226, and the creation of the Permit-Ready Accessory Dwelling Units, or PRADU, program, which offers property owners a selection of pre-approved ADU building plans, free of charge. “The City is showing true leadership by embracing ADUs as a way to meaningfully move the needle on housing,” Mayor Blakespear said in a news release. “Every city needs to do its part to address the housing affordability crisis that is leading to more families facing housing

THE VISTA insecurity and homelessNEWS ness, and more residents

.com

working farther from their jobs. ADUs are a key part of our solution. Our threepart effort — waive fees, loosen permitting restrictions and provide pre-approved plans –— has already shown measurable success. I could not be more proud of our dedicatRANCHO ed team — effort and the resultsSFNEWS we are achieving.” Very little undeveloped land remains in Encinitas, so it is difficult for new construction to keep pace with increasing housing needs. Accessory units allow families to have more flexibility in their living arrangements, providing the opportunity for rental income and for young adult family members or older caregivers to live on-site. The program manager reports that the city is already seeing an increase in ADU permits — more than double — and more than a dozen PRADUs are in review with several already under construction. The city won in the “Housing Programs and Innovations” category, which honors innovative housing designs that are conducive to good land use planning and jobs balance, while preserving natural resources, and promoting safe, community-oriented neighborhoods. The num-

.com

TURN TO HOUSING ON A11

Join us for live music and other events on our outdoor patio!

Now Open in Oceanside CRAFT WINERY & TASTING ROOM

760.231.8022 | 611 Mission Avenue | Oceanside, Ca 920154 For More Information Text TAG5 to 760.209.8333 www.152SouthMyers.com Listed by:

Luxury Coastal Property New Construction in Oceanside

Joseph Arendsen & Marla Deshayes

• 4 Bed | 4 Bath | 3200+ sq.ft. | Ocean Views

Team@TrueLocalRealty.com

• Brand New Construction, Just Listed, Luxury Beach Home Just Steps From the Sand

DRE# 01841681 • 888.503.3117

• Private Elevator, Ocean Views, Rooftop Deck no HOA & more!

152 S. Myers Street Oceanside


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.