Volume 22, Issue 37 www.delmartimes.net September 12, 2019 Community Del Mar asks for report on proposed bluff-top resort BY PHIL DIEHL communities so that they Del Mar has asked for an can be informed when they independent report to vote,” said Councilman provide more information Dwight Worden. about a ballot measure that, Bluff stability, traffic and New general manager if passed, would allow the parking, view impacts, dives into work at construction of a luxury financial benefits and water district. A3 resort on the coastal bluff historic uses of the above Dog Beach at the 17.45-acre site all should be Solana Beach border. covered in the city’s report to Encinitas-based real estate a greater depth than developer Zephyr Partners presented in the plans and filed notice with Del Mar on environmental documents Aug. 5 that Zephyr plans to filed by the developer, collect enough signatures, a Worden said. minimum of 328 of the city’s The Marisol plan calls for a registered voters, to place the 65-room hotel, 31 villas, 27 Marisol specific plan on the affordable housing units and Carmel Valley resident’s March 2020 ballot. 10 low-cost visitors African experience JON CLARK The so-called “9212 accommodations, for a total inspires upcoming stage report” is an option available of up to 146 guest rooms. It presentation. A7 RO IDS AN IEGO TH under the state elections allows structures up to three P K : S D 25 code when a developer stories tall or 46 feet above announces its intent to pass the natural grade of the land ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION a citizens initiative. The Del and includes 408 off-street Lifestyle Mar City Council voted parking spaces. Pro Kids: The First Tee of San Diego celebrated its 25th anniversary Sept. 7 at the unanimously Monday night, Voter approval of the Fairmont Grand Del Mar. Amy and Phil Mickelson were honored at the event for Sept. 9, to proceed with the ballot measure would allow their contributions to the organization. The mission of Pro Kids: The First Tee of report, which is to be Zephyr to bypass the City San Diego is to “challenge underserved youth to excel in life by promoting finished by the end of the Council on “legislative” character development, life skills, and values through education and the game of year. matters such as approval of golf.” Visit www.thefirstteesandiego.org. See page B10 for more. (Above) Amy “Not just to inform the specific plan, a Mickelson, auction winner Sue Wagner, Phil Mickelson. Online: delmartimes.net ourselves, but to make it community plan available to our SEE RESORT, A18 ■ See inside for a variety of photos of community events. Del Mar, Solana Beach brace North County cities partnering for Del Mar for added density from new Community Choice Energy program Times state housing mandate BY LUKE HAROLD CCE program, which typically provides a The Del Mar City Council voted to begin higher percentage of clean and renewable An Edition of BY LUKE HAROLD the process of joining a Community Choice energy. Solana Beach Mayor David Zito said it will be “extremely Energy Authority Joint Powers Agreement State law began allowing Community difficult” for San Diego County’s smallest cities to absorb the with Solana Beach, Carlsbad and possibly Choice Energy programs in 2002. According surge in housing units over the next decade that regional leaders other cities in the region. to the nonprofit Center for Climate 380 Stevens Ave. are asking them to accommodate. But a recent “longshot” effort “I’m looking forward to playing a Connection, there are 19 Community Suite 316 to reduce their future housing requirements fell short. leadership role and drawing other cities in as Choice Energy programs in California. Solana Beach, CA 92075 As part of its decennial Regional Housing Needs Assessment well,” Del Mar Deputy Mayor Ellie Haviland Pending approval from potential member (RHNA), the California Department of Housing and Community said at the council’s Sept. 9 meeting. cities, the new CCE with Del Mar, Solana 1011 Camino del Mar Development is requiring San Diego County to add 171,688 new Community Choice Energy programs Beach and other North County partners Suite 120 units over the next 10 years, a 6% increase from the 161,980 it allow local communities to band together to would launch in 2021, and provide at least Del Mar, CA 92014 asked the county to add over the past decade. provide residents and businesses with an 50% renewable energy at slightly lower rates 858-756-1403 The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) is the alternative to their traditional utility, such as than SDG&E provides. delmartimes.net regional agency tasked with dividing those units among the San Diego Gas & Electric. 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NMLS#S#1769176 1769176 FOR PROVEN RESULTS CONTACT SURE AT 858-344-1800 | SURERealEstate.com PAGE A2 - SEPTEMBER 12, 2019 - NORTH COAST www.delmartimes.net SANDAG unveils spending blueprint Fairgrounds officials begin for traffic-prone commuter corridors, vexing backers of freeway expansion looking to 2020 county fair After 27 days earlier this summer that After kicking off in May this year, the the agency’s executive director, Hasan included 1.5 million visitors, 31,000 2020 fair will open June 5 next year. More Some elected officials Ikhrata, especially because it could mean pounds of bacon, 47,000 ears of corn and information about the 2020 county fair putting long-planned highway projects on 400 pounds of gourmet candy, 22nd will be made public in November. call for shifting money hold, perhaps indefinitely. Agricultural District board members said The board is also in the middle of a from new Coaster trains Poway Mayor Steve Vaus, chair of the during their Sept. 10 meeting that the 2019 lawsuit involving the county fair’s alleged SANDAG board, proposed, during an agency San Diego County Fair was an operational link to an E. coli outbreak, possibly to state Route 78 board meeting on Friday, Sept. 6, to amend success. originating from the livestock barn, that the spending plan by nixing the new Coaster “It was a wonderful fair and a resulted in the death of a 2 year old. Board BY JOSHUA EMERSON SMITH trains in favor of expediting expansions of tremendous team effort,” said board Chair Richard Valdez said board members San Diego’s top transportation experts state routes 78, 52 and 67. member Frederick Schenk, the chair of the cannot comment on the E. coli allegations released a long-awaited spending blueprint on He and others supportive of road 22nd Agricultural District’s Fair Operations because the lawsuit is pending. Friday, Sept. 6, for kick-starting an overhaul to improvements argued at the meeting that Committee. — Report by Luke Harold many of the region’s most gridlock-prone SANDAG’s most recent funding proposal commuter corridors. didn’t make good on a vaguely worded The San Diego Association of Governments compromise deal brokered in July by San Del Mar racetrack celebrates ‘unprecedented outlined a long list of proposed projects Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer that called for totaling nearly $600 million over the next five focusing on improvements along those safe racing’ during summer season years — including mapping out a high-speed highway corridors. After a summer of scrutiny over safety training this summer at the Del Mar rail line between Oceanside, Escondido and “If we’re truly going to prioritize those measures and protocols in the horse racing racetrack. Carlsbad, as well as designing express lanes roads because of our vote on July 12 … then industry, the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club Thirty deaths during racing at the Santa along state Route 78. let’s get her done,” Vaus said during the announced the conclusion of its summer Anita racetrack over the past year led to The plan also included money to help public hearing. season with no serious injuries or deaths protests from animal rights activists and stabilize the Del Mar Bluffs, as well as to Faulconer left the meeting early before the during races. Four horses died during SEE RACETRACK, A17 purchase new Coaster trains to increase public discussion on the topic was in full frequency. swing. The funding plan — if approved by His spokeswoman Christina Chadwick SANDAG’s board of 21 elected officials from released this statement after the meeting: Offshore drilling opponents gather in Encinitas around the county — would be a significant “We’re confident that with additional input BY LUKE HAROLD putting the beach and local coastline at down payment on the agency’s ambitious from the public and regional leadership, a Bob Keefe, executive director of clean risk, he joined two local congressmen and vision to beef up public transit in order to fair agreement is within reach.” energy advocacy group E2, said he other offshore drilling opponents at a news meet state targets for curbing climate-warming Supervisor Jim Desmond blasted the remembers his daughters’ birthday parties, conference Sept. 4 at Moonlight Overlook, emissions from cars and trucks. agency for going back on its promise to walks along the sand and watching the perched above the beach.