Residential Customer Del Mar CA, 92014 ECRWSS
Volume XV, Issue 33
www.delmartimes.net
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID SAN DIEGO, CA PERMIT NO. 1980
Aug. 11, 2011 Published Weekly
Direct access ramp to fairgrounds on Del Mar’s radar BY CLAIRE HARLIN Staff Writer With the first phases of the proposed I-5 widening projecting beginning as early as 2013, it’s an opportune time to look into the possibility of constructing a direct-access ramp from the interstate into the fairgrounds, said Del Mar City Councilmember Mark E. Filanc on Aug. 8.
■ Pediatrician wants new definition of ‘success’ for kids in sports. Page 4
Filanc’s suggestion comes after a recent meeting with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). “Studies at Caltrans indicate that would be the best thing to relieve traffic there,” he said, urging the council to consider seeking funding for an environmental analysis of such a project as soon as possible.
‘Frivolity and Fun’ for lifeguards
■ See our Special Racing Section on Pages 10-11
Chelsea Buser, Hunter Henson, Steffi Bryson and Pat Vergne enjoy themselves at the “Midsummer Night of Fun and Frivolity” event Aug. 3 at En Fuego. Proceeds go toward construction of a Community Services/Lifeguard Headquarters at 17th Street. See page B12 for more. PHOTO: JON CLARK
Council approves more off-hour parking options ■ Chargers’ head coach Norv Turner employs lifetime of experience. Page B1
“Let’s be honest,” said community member Bill Michaelsky. “Aesthetically, that’s not going to be the most attractive solution. I think we need more information.” Filanc suggested the ramp could feed directly into the Del Mar Fairgrounds parking area. Council members compared such a project to other large amusement facilities, like Disneyland, that are accessible by
Business parking spaces that typically go unused during nights and weekends can now be made open to the general public, but possibly at a price, the Del Mar City Council decided on Aug. 8. The zoning change, passed by a unanimous vote,
JOHN R. LEFFERDINK
619-813-8222
allows otherwise-required parking parking spaces on developed properties to be made available in non-operational hours, but the use of the off-street parking — as well as whether the owner wants to implement a fee —
SEE PARKING, PAGE 6
direct-access highway ramps. Filanc said the next step in getting a direct-access ramp project considered by Caltrans would be to undergo an environmental analysis. “If it passes through the window and Caltrans is putting this in the hopper for design, we might miss the opportunity,” Filanc said.
Judge denies Flower Hill stop-work request BY KAREN BILLING Staff Writer An effort to halt construction at Flower Hill Promenade was blocked in court on Friday, Aug. 5. At a preliminary injunction hearing, San Diego Superior Court Judge Ronald Prager denied the work stoppage effort in the “Citizens Against Flower Hill’s Excessive Expansion’s” case against the Via de la Valle mall and its holder Protea Properties. Another hearing in the case (Citizens Against Flower Hill Excessive Expansion vs. Protea Properties) is set for this Friday at 10 a.m. Currently, there’s a tug
of war over who has authority for the project between the city of San Diego and the California Coastal Commission. In April, the San Diego City Council unanimously approved the renovation project, which includes adding office and retail space, a new Whole Foods Market in place of the UltraStar Cinema, and a four-story parking garage. Last month the Coastal Commission tagged Flower Hill with a stop-work order, contending that the mall is not within the city’s certified Local Coastal Program and that only they could
SEE JUDGE, PAGE 6
Board looks into alleged elephant abuse BY CLAIRE HARLIN Staff Writer As Del Mar Fairgrounds officials conduct an investigation into the alleged abuse by elephant ride company Have Trunk Will Travel, several members of the public came before the 22nd District Agricultural Association (22nd DAA) board on Aug. 9 to voice their concern.
A Have Trunk Will Travel report was listed as a possible action item on the 22nd DAA agenda for Aug. 9, but it was postponed because officials are “collecting additional data,” according to the agenda. Allegations arose earlier this summer, when an undercover video was released by Animal Defend-
ers International (ADI) purportedly showing a trainer striking a baby elephant with a sharp-ended heavy stick known as a billhook. Animal rights groups also claim the company uses high-voltage electrical prods to make the animals submissive.
SEE ELEPHANT, PAGE 7
Let us help you find your Dream Home! www.johnlefferdink.com
ANGELA MEAKINS-BERGMAN
LISA KELLEY
CONNIE SUNDSTROM
858-405-9270
858-880-5242
858-334-8114