Residential Customer Del Mar CA, 92014 ECRWSS
Volume XVI, Issue 4
www.delmartimes.net
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID SAN DIEGO, CA PERMIT NO. 1980
Jan. 19, 2012 Published Weekly
DM businessman serves up two lawsuits Dispute over restaurant parking rules delays plans for downtown eatery
■ Foundation leader pushes for increased access to healthcare. Page 4
BY JOE TASH George Conkwright stands on a second-floor patio at the corner of his commercial building in downtown Del Mar, showing off its coastal and ocean views to a visitor. “It’s a fabulous space,” said Conkwright, which he believes would be perfect for outdoor dining, especially since he has remodeled the adjacent inside space to include a kitchen with
hood and grease traps. Conkwright said he has spent some $300,000 renovating two sections of his building at 1201 Camino Del Mar with an eye toward bringing in a new restaurant upstairs and an espresso or wine bar downstairs. But for now, both spaces stand empty as Conkwright wrangles with city officials over required parking for the proposed businesses. Last year, Conkwright filed
two lawsuits against the city, one challenging the city’s parking ordinance, and the other claiming inverse condemnation, alleging that the city’s actions have left
SEE LAWSUITS, PAGE 6 George Conkwright on his second floor patio, where he wants to bring in a restaurant. PHOTO: JOE TASH
Solana Beach approves modifications for Stevens Avenue mixed-use project
Warm welcome to Del Mar
BY CLAIRE HARLIN EDITOR@DELMARTIMES.NET
■ An interview with 52nd District hopeful Brian Bilbray. Page 5 The Del Mar City Council held a reception Jan. 17 at the Powerhouse Community Center for new City Manager Scott W. Huth. (Above) City Council member Lee Haydu introduces Huth to attendees. See page B12 for more photos. Photo/Jon Clark
After citing poor economic conditions and maxing out on time extensions totaling two years, American Assets trust on Jan. 11 presented a revised plan for its Solana Beach Corporate Centre project and was granted more time by the Solana Beach City Council. The council unanimously approved (with two council members recused) development permits for the 10,300-square-foot, single-level retail and office building and twolevel parking structure planned for the southeast corner of Stevens Avenue and San Rodolfo Drive. The development company, which was granted a similar extension last March for Lomas Santa Fe Plaza, is
also planning a mixed-use development for the 1.76-acre lot located at South Coast Highway 101 and Dahlia Drive, bought for $6.85 million in October. Mark Swenson, of Studio C Architects, said the Solana Beach Corporate Centre will include restaurant, office and retail establishments. The American Assets leasing department is still in the process of gathering tenants, so developers said they are not sure what the office-to-retail ratio will be at this point. American Assets requested modifications on the project, approved in 2008, to address prospective tenants’ feedback and reduce
SEE PROJECT, PAGE 3
TV Writers Vault makes a strong showing Producers looking for ideas head to local resident’s website ■ Travel writers share secrets on how to ‘Plan Your Escape.’ Page B1
Scott and Jessica Manville with their twins Chance and Chelsea.
BY JOE TASH Somewhere in America, an idea for the next hit reality television show is hatching in someone’s brain, and Scott Manville wants to bring it to life. Six years ago, the local resident launched The TV Writers Vault, a website (www.tvwritersvault.com) where anyone with an idea for a new television show
can catch the attention of television executives with the power to bring such concepts into reality. Over the past 18 months, Manville said, the site has caught fire, with traffic tripling. Two reality shows, one in Canada and one in the United States, have made it to the airwaves after being pitched originally on The TV Writers Vault, he said.
“What I like about our site is a housewife in Missouri can pitch an idea and a producer who produces “American Idol” can like it and produce it,” said Manville. “It’s truly a wide-open door to buyers of ideas for shows. It’s all about the idea.” The way the site works is
SEE TV, PAGE 6
JOHN R. LEFFERDINK
619-813-8222
www.johnlefferdink.com
ANGELA MEAKINS-BERGMAN
LISA KELLEY
CONNIE SUNDSTROM
VERONICA MOORE
858-405-9270
858-880-5242
858-334-8114
619-250-5076