PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ENCINITAS, CA 92024 PERMIT NO. 94
THE COAST NEWS
.com SERVING NORTH COUNTY SINCE 1987
VOL. 32, N0. 39
SEPT. 28, 2018
SAN Sober living MARCOS -NEWS facility draws criticism
Hubbard, Muir trade jabs at District 3 forum
.com
By Steve Puterski
By Aaron Burgin
ENCINITAS — While incumbent Encinitas Councilman Mark Muir touted his experience as the reason voters should re-elect him, his opponent declared that he was no longer a good fit for the newly formed District 3. Ada Harris Elementary’s multi-purpose room was nearly filled with potential voters on Sept. 25 listening to both candidates field questions from the audience on housing, traffic, the rail corridor, Encinitas Community Park’s southern access, homelessness and environmental issues. Challenger Jody Hubbard’s criticism of Muir, who has been elected twice after his 2011 appointment to the council, was the first real salvo fired in the election season in Encinitas, as she challenged Muir’s voting record and said that it was “time for a change.” “I agree you were a leader, but I think you haven’t been taking that role quite as much in the last several years on the City Council,” Jody Hubbard said, speaking directly to Muir, thanking him for the seven years he has served on the council. “I do think Mark has given us the best he has to give and today it’s time for a change,” Hubbard said. “Reacting to issues as they come is not enough. Just saying no with no alternative solution just gets in the way of making our city better, and it’s time for a change.” Muir told the crowd that they should vote for TURN TO DISTRICT 3 ON A14
projects “have requested and received the maximum (35 percent) density bonus allowed under the state law and local ordinance.” With the density bonus, jurisdictions also have to provide concessions — such as reduced parking or setback requirements. The number of concessions required is based on the amount of affordable housing provided by the project.
CARLSBAD — A group of neighbors is banding together to fight against what THEa they believe will become sober living facility. VISTA About 90 percent of NEWS those living on Pine and Oak avenues east of Interstate 5 have signed a petition urging the City Council to take action regarding sober living facilities. David Fischbach owns the property at 1284 Pine Ave. and 1274 Pine Ave., just north of Holiday Park. He also owns the four apartment buildings on the 1200 RANCHO block ofSFNEWS Oak Avenue, which has been under fire from residents for years and houses Sober Living Today, LLC. A letter to Mayor Matt Hall obtained by The Coast News asked to place the facility for discussion on the agenda, for the possible formation of an ad hoc committee, a liaison with the state regarding “reasonable accommodations,” and to delay the building permit for 1284 Pine Ave. as it may have a “special adverse impact” on residents. “During the more than 5 years that we have been in conversation with you, the City Council, the Planning Commission and city staff regarding our deep concerns for preserving the character and charm of our neighborhood, we have been met with ‘nice words,’ but little constructive action,” the letter reads. “We want, and deserve to be a part of the solution.” One fear, according to one resident who asked not to be named to avoid unset-
TURN TO DENSITY ON A10
TURN TO SOBER LIVING ON A9
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DAMN THE TORPEDOES!
Don Tran, left, and Nate Smith battle underwater for possession of the torpedo during an Underwater Torpedo League match in Oceanside. Story on Page A11. Photo by Colton Tisch
Encinitas’ complicated relationship with density bonus By Carey Blakely
ENCINITAS — What one person sees as a giveaway, another sees as a fair trade. Such is the nature of the contentious density bonus, a state law that rewards developers who build affordable housing with the right to build “bonus” units above and beyond what city zoning typically allows. Critics in Encinitas say the law is a handout to developers, while others see it as a necessary step to
getting affordable housing built. According to the city, as of Dec. 31, 2017, Encinitas had approved 27 density-bonus projects, which led to the construction of 49 lower-income units. City Planner Roy Sapa’u stated in an email to The Coast News, “Density bonus developments have resulted in more affordable housing units in the City as intended and permitted by State Law.”
The density bonus can be invoked when developers meet certain supply thresholds, such as setting aside at least 10 percent of the project’s housing units for lower-income residents to rent or buy. The amount of bonus units that can be added over a city’s zoning restrictions depends on the amount of affordable housing that’s provided by the development. Sapa’u noted that most of the city’s density-bonus
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