Just north of downtown Los Angeles, skinny homes on tiny lots are sprouting from the hillsides — a building boom of miniature proportions.Proposition A prevents future city councils from passing an ordinance like the 2005 L.A. law without a vote of the people.
The rectangular structures come in clusters of six or 15, or even 70, and developers are racing to build them in trendy Silver Lake and Echo Park. They're eyeing younger home buyers who crave hip cafes and proximity to work but don't want a sky-high condo or a Craftsman bungalow.
[...]
Such projects grow from a 2005 Los Angeles city ordinance that aimed to add more affordable for-sale housing — at least by L.A. standards — in densely packed neighborhoods. It lets developers carve up a lot zoned for multi-family use into small single-family plots, allowing multiple homes with separate foundations. The regulations chopped the minimum single-family lot size in those areas from 5,000 square feet to 600 square feet. The city of Glendale is now considering a similar ordinance.
[...]
The homes have their critics, said Jesus Sanchez, founder of the popular neighborhood blog the Eastsider LA, about Echo Park and surrounding areas. Some complain that the clustered homes could spoil the character of a neighborhood characterized by older hillside homes and spacious backyards.
"I think these buildings speak to something new and flashier," he said.
Often the arrival of the builders has surprised neighbors, accustomed to the green space or the parking lot the homes are built on. Or they simply had other ideas for the lots.
"People envisioned single family homes and duplexes, and it's different," said Andrew Garsten, president of the Echo Park Improvement Assn. "It's a little more dense."
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
High-density development comes to L.A.'s older neighborhoods
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This is so sad for the people of Echo Park and Silver Lake. Where is the research that shows people who live in these high density dwellings like it better than more traditional housing?
ReplyDeleteThis is being shoved down people's throats for no other reason than provides cities with more tax revenue and allows for builders to make projects 'pencil out.' Translation--they get to make a new fortune on these high density projets.
Market forces at work. What we're seeing here is a generational shift. Younger people are not necessarily interested in large yards and comfortable homes. They want to be close to work, close to entertainment, close to each other. Are developers making money? Sure. But why is that a problem? They're filling a need. Will some projects be disasters? Of course. But those in turn will be redeveloped into something that works. This is what Barth is talking about with her much maligned by this group's "seniors and young people in downtown" comment. Bottom line, the older and more established residents of Encinitas, or maybe more accurately, Leucadia don't want any chnage at all. Thus Prop A. But in 5 to 10 years, Prop A will be the vehicle that will allow many improvements to downtown along much the same lines as Echo Park. There's no reason, with a train station smack dab in the middle that we don't have a vibrant and energetic downtown full of all kinds of people at all hours. We also have the room and the supply for people to transition from smaller units downtown all the way to mansions anywhere in the city. Encinitas is a jewel right now, but it needs alot of polishing and really could be quite a diamond! Maybe in 20 more years?
ReplyDelete- The Sculpin
I think that Sculpin has mentioned that he lives in Olivenhain. Sculpin, people like you are why other dislike Olivenhain residents! You have a vision that you promote for others in THEIR. In fact, you sound like a developers who has made a living off of wecking others' community character!
DeleteSculpin describes a city - stack and pack, not a small coastal beach town. It may be Sculpin's vision for Encinitas but is it yours?
ReplyDeleteScuplins description of a future Encinitas is the kind of dense urban core that comes with a new community character called High Density urbanism. I suggest as Sculpin is enamored with such an urban lifestyle Sculpin move to San Diego, Long Beach, Oakland, Santa Monica.
But wait, didn't Scuplin share that Sculpin lives in the rural (for now) landscape of Olivenhain. How nice for Sculpin to decide for the rest of us how we should live in newly created Stack and Pack development in our neighborhoods while Sculpin stays in the country.
Barth wants us to believe the ridiculous falsehood that seniors are moving out of Encinitas Ranch giving up their yards and privacy to live along train tracks.
Then she wants us to believe it is millenials who could afford the $1 million dollar price tag for a 2 bedroom place, or the 500K price tag for 500 square feet.
At the bar moratorium we learned that it is mostly long term residents moving out who are renting to transitional people. This what happens when neighborhoods lose their core to high density urbanism- community character becomes transient.
And hey what about the bogeyman of climate change, sustainability, environmentalism? Do these stack and pack development have parking and garages? You bet they do, 2-4 cars each, why, because people want freedom. Sculpin and Barth want us to believe the falsehood that people want to trade freedom of movement for bicycles. Stack and pack causes more pollution and more intense destruction of the environment, not less. If Sculpin and Barth truly believe people are ready to give up their cars then build a project that provides for no parking and requires new owners to give up their vehicles - see how quick those units sell.
Sculpin is again incorrect with the opinion we have more room downtown for density, we don't if we want to protect our small town coastal community, but then Sculpin doesn't live downtown.
Maybe Sculpin might like a high density transit center built in Olivenhain at the four corners? Lot line to lot line development, small units of 500 sq feet, 2 car parking for each unit, a shuttle that runs to train and bus station. Now that sounds like a polished jewel.
Seeing how Scuplin is a fan of 'smaller units'- will Sculpin move to one? Will Scuplin give up the Sculpin lifestyle or only ask us to give up ours?
Encinitas already is a diamond. That is why residents passed Prop A. Funny, Sculpin opposed Prop A, along with Norby, Harwood, Accredited Partners, Shea Homes, and other high density developers who profit by destroying community character.
You live downtown next to a railroad station with a bus hub. What on earth did you expect?!?!?!? I live in Olivenhain becuase I have horses - lots of horses. They don't do so well at Pacific Station - they make the "neigh"bors testy. If I didn't have horses, I wouldn't live here. I would probably live in the Lofts or something similar west of 101. I would want to be able to walk to everything. Shopping, dining, movies and music. I think that would be nice. Yes, I love Central Park south in Manhattan. I love the Chicago nightlife. Paris and London after 10PM rocks! Encinitas will never be like that, but it can still be vibrant. It doesn't have to be "stack and pack". I think it can be done very tastefully and aesthetically and keep the small town beach charm. But we'll never have that discussion, will we?
Delete- The Sculpin
Sculpin
DeleteWith all respect please step back and listen to yourself. "I live in Olivenhain because I have horses" "If I didn't I would probably live in the lofts"
But you do have horses Sculpin and you don't live in the lofts. Why- personal choice.
You live in a community character you want to live in yet you want to change the neighborhood of the 101 because Jeez, I think it can be done tastefully and I love Paris, New York and London?
You bought because of personal choice not social engineering. Just like residents who bought along the 101, Cardiff and Leucadia bought because it was a small beach town not the high density urban center you think would be terrific for everyone- while you of course choose to live somewhere else.
It seems you might be what they refer to as a limosine Nimby. It is alright for you to ruin someone's else's community character as long as you get to keep yours.
Are you saying that Olivenhain's community character is the same today as it was 20 years ago? It isn't. It has changed dramatically! Are you saying that Olivenhain has not been "socially engineered"? It has - look at all the HUGE homes that have been built in the last 20 years on progressively smaller lots. People move in next to horses around here and then complain about the horse smell?!?!? Is that keeping with "community character?" Where are the tomato fileds? It's called Wildflower. We're losing horse trails to encroachment back here. The city doesn't maintain a trail and let's it get overgrown, and then says it can't clear it because it's in a sensitive habitat! Ha! Anyone in the KLCC care about that? Hardly, but I wouldn't expect them to. You, on the other hand, chose to live in an area that is used by everyone. You're not the only stakeholder - you're just one of them. You don't get to decide what happens in downtown - you only get a voice. That's the nature of downtown. That's why they're usually vibrant areas of commerce, arts, and activities. If you want to live in a sleepy beach town, I would suggest Shell Beach or Avila Beach.
Delete- The Sculpin
If you want "all kinds of people at all hours", move to Las Vegas. I hear it's a lovely town.
ReplyDelete"Bottom line, the older and more established residents of Encinitas, or maybe more accurately, Leucadia don't want any chnage at all."
ReplyDeletePoppycock. There are residential places in Leucadia that do not want change: i.e. sidewalks, streetlamps, stack and pack and I agree. But the 101 corridor has long needed sidewalks, streetlamps, better infrastructure / landscaping etc. We can do without pack and stack as well.
But I do appreciate your suggestion that Leucadians are the majority of people who vote here in Encinitas. Doubt that's true, but thanks anyway.
As an Olivenhain resident, I beleive that all 5 communities should have the right to determine their own community character. Sculpin, I want to say that you DO NOT speak for all of Olivenhain. There is an ever increased awareness that the entire City is at a critical point of no return.
DeleteFred is right. There are some stunning areas in Leucadia, and I happen to love not only Leucadia but Leucadians! I am distressed by the thoughtless degradation of quality of life for residents in Leucadia and Old Encinitas with the increase in out of town partiers who want to invade these communities on the weekend. This city should be about its residents first and foremost.
Fred - I'm focusing my comments on the downtown and to some extent the business corridor. I enjoy reading your posts and generally we're on the same page. I LOVE roundabouts and would LOVE to have them on RSF road at all the intersections. Would Lynn have an objection to that? Lynn, you out there?
Delete- The Sculpin
1:18 - fine, I don't speak for all of Olivenhain - never said I did. You don't either. Yes, there are stunning areas in Leucadia - what does that have to do with downtown? Sure, there is an ever increased awareness that the entire City is at a critical point of no return, but that doesn't mean you halt all growth, or try to keep things static. That just doesn't cut it. Change is inevitable, so you either embrace it, or get run over by it. Fred is using his influence to steer the direction of change, Lyn just wants to stop it cold. I'm more in tune with Fred's approach, as you say you are. Aren't we on the same page here?
Delete- The Sculpin
Sculpin, Despite being a pro prop A liberal I'm not against change.Change is a life constant. What I'm against is the city greasing the skids by upzoning thus potentially radically changing a community.I find it interesting the so called conservatives insist on government assistance to enhance growth(Papa Doug et all).Let's let the private sector naturally do its thing.I remember when a certain council member back in the 80's complained about the plethora of taco shops on 101.Guess what? Not one of them has gone out of business.That's free market capitalism without gubmint intrusion.
DeleteThe Cabezon
Yep, and you can add the vast majority of pizza places in Encinitas to that list of staple eateries.
ReplyDeleteBut back to the thread. I think it's interesting some in GLENDALE are concerned about density. It only took them 50 years to figure that one out. As I've harped before, in 1961 when we left Glendale, there were 10 cool houses on both sides of our street. Sold ours for 12K, but before we did, the cool house next door was razed and a 20 unit apartment complex went in. 2 more immediatley cropped up across the street. Today you google Belmont St. and ALL the houses are gone there and about 95% of the same kind of houses have been replaced by apts. for about a square mile.
That's why the saying "You don't miss your water till your well runs dry" doesn't apply to our city. We're not going to let the well run dry.
Local Initiative elections do NOT trump state law. Prop A is un-enforcable: as the Rutan and Tucker Report presaged 5 months ago.
ReplyDeleteMay I know your source 5:04? Here is a direct quote from Rutan and Tucker from their report presented to the city council:
Delete“If passed, the voter approval requirements, extended public notice requirements and absolute height limit would accomplish the goal of voter control, and facilitate the maintenance of community character in Encinitas.”
The Coastal Commission weighed in, Prop A is law.
ReplyDeleteYou are correct that State Law trumps local, but that only applies to residential zoning. Currently EL Camino Real, Encinitas Blvd and many other parts of the city are zoned commercial. Those properties can not be zoned residential without a vote of the people.
In my opinion the council and Vina will now seek an end run around Prop A by cooking up an exaggerated so called housing element plan that they will wrongly say is needed to satisfy the state. They will then present multiple zoning change options on the 2014 ballot - but they will not include or offer to residents the option of saying no. I also suspect the council will take up outgoing high density czar Peder Norby's recommendation of doing an overlay zoning and this will be non-specific and create an overlay zone that then allows the council the power to upzone at will and not the people.
Rutan and Tucker was a waste of $50K, we should demand our money back.
5:11
DeleteActually, many parts of Leucadia were zoned MIXED USE without a vote of the people by 4 council members approving the Planning Commission's Specific Plan alterations. (Mayor Councilwoman Cameron the solitary disenting vote).
Yes Fred you are correct, perhaps that is why 5:11 did not include the 101 as a street, it has already been rezoned as you correctly state without a vote of the people.
DeleteYou can always vote NO in 2014 and flip the bird to HCD. We don't want your sticking stack-n-pack cookie cutter growth.
ReplyDeletenot if Barth and Shaffer the social engineers who are on record that they want stack and pack and think it is the job of government to provide affordable housing don't put a vote no option on the ballot.
DeleteOf course this is what high density czar Peder Norby, big pension bureaucrat Gus Vina and outgoing Planning Director Patrick Murphy cooked up when they forced that bogus high density mapping exercise on residents. They gave residents dots and said put them on the map where you want high density- they did not give residents the option of saying no.
I saw several members of L101 place all their dots on the HIGH DENSITY option....they are rats.
DeleteI don't want growth at all. I want sensible redevelopment of existing blight. lets get better not bigger.
ReplyDeleteSupport population reduction. Its the only way to save our town and save this planet.
Help us all, lead by example.
DeleteCoastal commission legal staff has not given the city planning dept.permission to
ReplyDeleteImplement prop A yet .There appear to be some issues.Stay tuned!
This use of the term "consensus" is an academic construct that came from the MIG consultants. If you look at the survey results, overwhelmingly, 90% of citizens in Encinitas in each of the 5 communities indicated that we want to keep the community character as it is. This is also a direct quote from Daniel Iocafano, the owner of MIG, during one of his many community outreach events. As a man who holds an advanced degrees in Experimental Psychology and Planning, Dr. Iocafano KNOWS that 90% is about as close to actual consensus as any researcher could hope to get. There will always be a range of opinion—even using a valid survey sample of participants and valid test methods. Even with an invalid survey sample where out of town developers and City staff participated, 90% is a overwhelming number of participants who did not want to change community character. How can Encinitas keep its community character when the Planning Department has claimed that the State says that we must absorb thousands of new housing units?
ReplyDeleteThe service that MIG actually provided for $1.3 million plus is the use of poor professional ethics and the application of known strategies to bias results against citizen preferences. It appears that this was why they were hired. MIG even disclosed that they were being sued at the time they submitted their bid, and alluded to other lawsuits in their application. In addition, their contract stipulated that they would be paid the last million dollars a week before the GPU was released to the public. Maybe this is because of their experience of having other clients refuse to pay them, but such an agreement is definitely not in step with the City’s usual claims that they do what they do to AVOID lawsuits. With this in mind, wouldn’t it have been prudent to select from one of the other 10 applicants who were NOT being sued at during the open bid period? In addition, MIG used as its starting point a “template” instead of the actual Encinitas General Plan. Allegedly, this was to “save money.”
The way that MIG and Planning use the term 'consensus' is similar to the reason that Rutan and Tucker were brought on to create the “appearance of grass roots political support.” It is clear that the General Plan was already written as a high density document and that the various surveys and other citizen participation exercises were not considered in a meaningful way since the results were invalid by design.
Why is what MIG did given any consideration at all with all of the red flags that should have prevented them getting hired and their obvious inability to deliver a workable product. Also, why is anyone surprised since this GPU has been mishandled at every step when motives and abilities of the people doing the work are taken into account? Patrick Murphy continually told us that the plan was “our plan,” and that the consultants and staff were “ahead of schedule.” When they released the plan, it was unusable and rejected by almost everyone.
Now the Planning Department says that the Housing Element is due next month, and that we are out of time.
Thank you KLCC member your work here is done.
Delete10:29 didn't you just write the same comment on the other thread? Why do you live in Leucadia if you think it is Krappy? That is really strange. Most people live where they like. Have you considered other locations if you think Leucadia is Krappy?
ReplyDeleteI have considered other locations. But I enjoy being a thorn in the side of the KLCC. And will continue to do so as long as these idiots and morons spew their nonsense and deceit. Hell I'm going to challenge their lies whenever and wherever I can. Like this lie.. I saw two members of L101 place all their dots blah blah blah. Amazing how KLCC members can recall the smallest details but when asked which members.....their mind goes blank.
DeleteI'm not going to name specific names. You, or they know who they are. People are posting here anonymously, for the most part. I only will provide my own name, not yours, but I do know who those two L101MA Board of Directors are, and probably, so do you.
DeleteSkip --
DeleteClassic innuendo. Sling some mud on a wall and see if we can't smire an entire community group. Classic KLCC. ( is it in the handbook to lie and deceive?)
DeleteSomeone asked why I don't move to another town, well I'm not I'm staying and getting online to be in the face of the KLCC ever chance I get. I don't think that will be too long......you figure it out.
The acronym KLCC is "classic innuendo," negatively categorizing an entire group of people, the majority, who do not favor your pro-development agenda, by slinging mud. More twisting of the truth, by attacking those with words that actually better describe you , and your own propensities!
DeleteNo matter where you live, whether you move or not, you can still come online and get the attention you crave, by trying to flame others, trying, vainly, to lump all with whom you disagree into into a "club" of your own demented imagination.
lol! Paranoid, much?
wrong again Lword-
Delete" Majority"- Wrong
The right answer was tiny, minority that likes Krappy blight conditions to keep the rent and traffic to a minimum at the expense of our main street conveniences.
The one thing as consistently as change is Lword is consistently wrong.
Hello I see you have posted again. I shared below the example of sirfy surfy you offered and how it has been good for the existing community character and did not need rezoning or increased densities to be successful. I see you mention blight and Leucadia is crappy in your opinion. I am curious why you choose to live in blight? It makes no sense to me as most people I know who live in Leucadia like it. Have you considered moving seeing how you apparently don't like it?
Delete"Enjoy being a thorn." 10:29 and friends, the only posts I skip over more quickly than Lynn's are yours. You were a snore from the get-go, but never a "thorn." You most definitely over-estimate your readership and influence, whoever you (all) are.
DeleteWe like it and want to see it continue to improve like the surfy surfy/ coffee corner....
ReplyDeleteWe don't think the park or the new buildings look like Disneyland.....
We don't like the KLCC trying to keep everything Ghetto.
KLCC sucks just like Lword's comments.....
Loser- pick up today's WSJ, page A-13.
ReplyDeleteI have read the article. So what?
DeleteI am well informed on the issue of unfunded pension liability but it doesn't necessarily mean the end of the world for Encinitas.
Every city has a different system so it's very hard to compare apples to oranges.
Most cities that have become bankrupt have completely different reasons for their failure.
Most BK's have also guaranteed health benefits along with the pension. Encinitas does not pay for health after retirement.
The number given by ETP on potential unfunded liabilities is not accurate and has not been proven by a third party source.
Loser-
DeleteI disagree- but then you will get a pension and live a life of luxury for you and your family while us in the private sector are expected to pay not only for your retirement but also our own- hardly sounds fear, but then I'm self made, not crony built.
Drive by the Cardiff Fire Station that cost taxpayers $6.3M. It is right behind a perfectly good fire station that could have been remodeled for $500K saving taxpayers $5.8 million.
Then consider Chief Heissner and his $212K annual pension, Muir and his $170K pension, the current chief getting a raise from $190-230K to spike his outgoing pension, former planning Director Patrick (high density community character destroying) Murphy and his $140K annual pension, let's not forget about ex-city manager Phil (I'll bury the road report ) Cotton and his $80K annual pension- Hey LL what will you bring home at age 55 that the rest of us are expected to pay for?
And what about that road report from Nichols that shows Encinitas doesn't have enough money to fix their roads, to the tune of $43M- have you driven down Birmingham (I'll break my axel) drive? Let's see no money to fix roads- hmmm, sounds like Detroit baby.
And how about the unfunded pension liability of $80 million, where is the money to pay for that? hmmm sounds like Detroit
Don't worry though, to start construction on the Hall Park Gus (No vote of confidence) Vina and the council raided 15 fully funded capital projects of $7million, you know, just money to pay for trails, sewers and storm drain repairs- so failing infrastructure, running out of money- hmmm sounds like Detroit
Oh yea, about that $6.3M fire station behind a perfectly good one, drive by and notice the banner begging residents to pay $200 dollars of hard earned money to pay to build the park-
After the unions got their fire stations with big beds and kitchens
After the unions got 35% pay and pension increases
After Muir and Cotton got increased pay and spike pensions
After our parks were robbed of money
After our roads have failed
After we have unfunded pension liabilities-
Our eyes are open and we need to elect pension reformers who will implement a hiring freeze at city hall, not add new staff to the payroll and who will move all employees to self-funded retirement accounts.
I had hoped Kranz would be that person but he has turned out to be a crony of Papa Doug and Lynch at the UT and a confidant of Sacramento (no vote of confidence)Gus. I also hoped Shaffer would address the issues but she has turned out to be a social engineer.
95% of Encinitas residents agree with the above. Get active! The 5% are robbing from the pension till or in a fog.
DeleteYou know nothing about the city or what could be done with the old fire station. It had so much black mold and asbestos that it would of cost a million or more just for abatement. The new station is needed and will last another 50 years. I am a tax payer in this city too and it is money well spent in my opinion.
DeleteYou just speculate about me and my so called life of luxury that I live. All of the raises and pension increases that you speak of were done well before I was hired and I have not had a raise in three years not even a cost of living increase but I have had to contribute 3% more of my salary to my pension contribution since I was hired.
There have been no added hires at the city only replacing of senior management. Several vacated positions have not been filled.
I am far under the 100 K club and will never have 30 years of service and could not retire at 55 if I wanted to.
95% Really? Show me.
Being part of the problem how could you see to show? Watch the revolution unfold, it is happening if you watch the numbers showing up at city hall.
DeleteLoser, if your not concerned about the cities ability to pay its bills you are whistling past the grave yard. As for the black mold issue at the old fire station... Really?? Funny they were allowing children from Ada Harris school to come visit for as long as I remember.
DeleteLoser- ignorance is bliss just ask the L- word. But you'll have No excuses you read this and other blogs. Blogs that present the truth. It's only city staff and council that believe everything is just fine.
Oh one last thing.. What song do you whistle while walking past the grave yard?? Is it Pink Floyd's Money?? Enjoy it while you can.
No definitely not Pink Floyd. I whistle Loser by Beck silly man.
DeleteThanks for your opinion. I am surprised you choose to live in a Ghetto. Most people I know in Leucadia like it. Surfy Surfy is a nice remodel that was done without any changes to zoning. I wonder if when market forces get big enough the new owners of the old Longboard Grotto ( A piece of history I miss and where I spent over $10,000 dollars over 5 years 0 new boards, suits etc)will kick out the Surfy Surfy people to make a high density mixed use building like those next to Fred Caldwell's? I have to say I think those buildings are hideous- but you may think they are alright, to each their own.
ReplyDeleteI also wondered if the reason the Longboard Grotto got booted out was because the new owners had designs on a high density after zoning changes? Then the economy crashed and the Surfy guys moved in. I don't know the whole story though so I am only speculating.
I am glad we can both agree that surfy surfy is a nice addition to the community and best of all it did not need to exceed any of its existing density, lot coverage or height to enhance existing community character. It shows what can be done.
hey klcc complainer- what about these valid points, have you no response?
Deleteskip. thx.
DeleteLynn
ReplyDeleteIt's weird,you kidnap the thread and then it all becomes about you and you can't see
It.I think you need help
i am 12:40 and I am not Lynn. I am the one asking you to share what the krappy thing was. If you have resonse to my post i'd welcome hearing your opinions. this klcc has been mentioned a lot, as most people i know who live there like it I am trying to understand your views.
ReplyDelete12:06, Perhaps you are connected with the original KLCC AKA the city/developers. In my opinion the city systematically did little or nothing for years as far as infrastructure and or improvements to L101 so they could establish a redev. district.L101 and surrounding areas have had devel. interest foaming at the mouth for years.That being said, I do like the rocks at the park.L-word is just one those people who are pissed off at any minute change that did not get her pre-approval.
DeleteNow that prop A passed, change in Leucadia can't be forced.It will happen naturally with private enterprise, not gov. cheese for the wealthy.
the Cabezon
I don't think Leucadia is crappy. I don't think it's blighted. I would like continued sidewalk improvements on Leucadia Blvd, as promised, and along the 101 corridor. I would like a greenscape, an artscape and a rail trail corridor for pedestrians and bicyclists as other cities have, including Solana Beach and San Clemente. I don't think the boulders in Roadside Park add anything to our unique character. Picnic tables and benches were better for the community, not boulders and "cattle style" fences, which subtract from useable square footage.
ReplyDeleteI feel our City has a HUGE unfunded pension liability issue, and is spending far too much on operating expenses. I feel that too much was spent on the Cardiff fire station. Black mold can be remediated. It would not have become an issue had the roof been kept in good repair. Many times buildings are allowed to deteriorate so that government officials have an excuse to declare them worthless and have them demolished. Asbestos was used in many older buildings. It's also not an issue, unless removed, including during demolition. Any asbestos that needed to be replaced could have also been remediated, at far less than the cost of the new, overpriced fire station.
I am only posting on this blog under lynn, now, as I've stated several times. This allows those who know me and trust me to realize how paranoid someone is who keeps trying to lump everyone with whom he disagrees, with negative reactions and personal attacks. I will no longer respond to anyone who dismisses the opinions of many others by trying to categorize us all as people who want no change. MANY don't feel Leucadia is blighted. Most would like to keep Leucadia Funky, not generic and "gentrified." Funky is and has been our character. Fred presented Pam Slater-Price with a Keep Leucadia Funky license plate holder at City Hall this year.
Change is a constant. Growth cannot be a constant, because the economy and housing cycles must go through periods of expansion and contraction, to remain stable. Unchecked growth leads to bubbles bursting, and insufficient infrastructure, also, loss of community character and quality of life. Fortunately, Prop A put a check on growth.
The law is in effect, citywide, now. The most recent article in the Coast News ends well, but the headline is "muddy" and the first part of the piece seems to try to defend the poorly written original article, also by Jared Whitlock, which called North County Representative's mistaken opinion a "ruling" by the Coastal Commission. Not!
Eric Stevens' July 1 letter was confusing. It was hypocritical of the City to give his belated answer to Jeff Murphy's inquiries so much weight, when it seemed to dismiss and did override Coastal Commission and City staff's recommendations after the January 23 CCC letter to the City NOT to eliminate a lane, northbound for motorists, without completion of a Coastal Development Permit and a Local Coastal Program Amendment, as a Major Roadway, primary circulation element was being affected by eliminating a lane.
Our Land Use Element and LCP defines North 101 as a Major Roadway AND a primary circulation element. There is no confusion about what is required according to Coastal Act Law. The City's "waffling" on the "implementation" of Prop A is only its trying to do damage control and blame the voters and the CCC for not following competent legal advice from and Environmental and Land Use expert, Attorney Everett DeLano, or former Coastal Commissioner and Chair, Sara Wan.
How often do you use Leucadia roadside park?? And for what purpose?
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteLword- I hated to do it, but I read your long drawn out post.
ReplyDeleteYOu have some good points and some clueless points. Points about unfunded liability- spot on.
I understand your concern with the streetscape. you are worried that it will increase traffic on your street adjacent to Mainstreet.
Fear not my little lamb..... the elimination of the all way stop and the savior of the modern day roundbout is positive stuff.
Your street will receive now more traffic and you will have nicer businesses to frequent. Your street will receive less traffic, but parking will be in high demand.
See Lword, its not all bad.
OK... since I gave you some good news, do me a favor and go out tomorrow and walk, take your swim trunks and dive in the ocean......
Thats all you need to do to understand the great gift that god has given us and I enjoy every day. The Pacific provides fresh air and wave for fun every day. See?
Adjacent residents are concerned about more cut through traffic and slowing of already slow emergency response times if roundabouts were to be installed, just as residents were in Del Mar, where roundabouts on Coast Highway, which would have replaced stop signs (contrary to the ones proposed here, where there are now NO stop signs on the intersections where the four one-lane roundabouts are planned), were VOTED DOWN in the General Election last year. General Elections are the truest forms of community "needs assessments," in my opinion. Roundabouts were also voted down in 2012 in Cotati, California.
ReplyDeleteNo one has provided any official confirmation, through the City, that the stop sign at Marchetta would be eliminated. When I asked City staff about that directly, in e-mails, my questions, as usual, were not answered. Others who have communicated with City staff were told that the schematics by Peltz and Associates are "cartoon drawings," and do not constitute engineered plans.
You are making several assumptions with which community members disagree:
We are not assured that the stop sign at Marchetta and 101 would be eliminated. That stop sign is not in Leucadia. It was allegedly installed after an accident involving a Nun crossing (the RR tracks, and then the highway?) to go to St. John's, where the Church used to be located, west of Juanitas'.
I'm assuming that your comment: "Your street will receive now more traffic and you will have nicer businesses to frequent. Your street will receive less traffic, but parking will be in high demand," was, in part, a typo? We have no assurances our streets will not receive more cut through traffic. Were the roundabouts to be installed, as planned, existing parking along the RR corridor, on the east side of the highway, would be eliminated.
Parking, indeed, would be in higher demand, because existing RR corridor parking would be eliminated. Business owners are realizing this. Many of them have publicly stated they don't favor the four one-lane roundabouts.
The situation for parking would be worse, here, than it is now, not better, many feel. The only locals that I have spoken with that want five roundabouts and lane elimination for motorists are a few members of the Board of Directors of the Leucadia 101 Mainstreet Association, and of course, Peder Norby, who wanted roundabouts all over Encinitas, to accomplish his vision of a generic Mainstreet USA!
There is no LEGAL parking on RR right of way.
DeleteYou and the KLCC are the only locals I know that oppose a nice 101 and favor an ugly, blighted, weed infested treeless highway.
Again your lies are transparent and futile.
Anon 1:10 am suggests you dive into the ocean may I add you should swim west to Hawaii then keep going to Japan.
Lynn, Your street and all side streets should not receive more traffic following the streetscape with roundabouts. If anything, it will receive less because the pressure from the all way stop at Marcheta will be removed.
Delete1:10
I drive up and down LaVeta just to piss off Russell.
DeleteIn logic, the "black and white" fallacy is when someone uses fallacious logic to say, it's either this or that, when other alternatives are available. The majority of locals, including business owners and residents do NOT feel Leucadia is blighted, now. We do want a "nice" North 101 corridor and do NOT "oppose a nice 101 in favor an ugly, blighted, weed infested treeless highway."
DeleteNo matter how many times you repeat your false logic and lies, no matter how many times you call me a liar, doesn't make your own lies and false logic true.
We would like to have more sidewalk improvements and lighting improvements along the Highway. We would like to have a beautiful greenscape, improving and restoring the canopy, eliminating the Goathead Thorn plants from the railroad right of way, and completing the Bicycle Masterplan, which update was approved by the Planning Commission on January 17, and which has been stalled, without explanation, after Gus Vina "mysteriously" removed it from the Agenda, I believe back in April, at which time, I had been prepared to speak. The Agenda had already been posted in the Coast News.
The BMP has a railtrail dedicated bicycle lane, which has been on the books, since at least 2005, from Chesterfield, in Cardiff, north to La Costa. The City, including Tony Kranz, as NCTD Rep, should focus on completing this bicycle lane, and also doing landscaping along the railtrail, as Cardiff has done so beautifully, and along the median. To do that would also allow for more opportunities for public art, an artscape, as in Solana Beach, and which Cardiff has also done, near VG's, by the RR Tracks. Cardiff sets a good example for the rest of our City.
The railtrail bicycle lane already exists from A Street north, to beyond Marchetta. That bicycle lane should be maintained and extended North to La Costa.
The City needs to get its priorities straight. Hiring what is now being "rebranded" from Communications Specialist to "Community Outreach Specialist," is just another way to divert money from Capital Improvements into more and ever escalating operating expenses, including more and higher unfunded pension liabilities.
Good point 9:51
ReplyDeleteWhen the freeway just had 4 lanes south in Del Mar and Solana Beach, morning traffic would back up fierce on the freeway. Overflow from that came to southbound 101. And of course the choke point of the Marcheta stop signs backed up traffic past El Portal. Naturally, peoople late to work would get creative and take Melrose Ave south through the neighborhood. It happened so much signs were posted not to do that and tickets were written for violators - just like it was in Solana Beach. Those measures helped some, but the problem of morning southbound traffic is NOTHING like it was 5 years ago and I believe that's because freeway 5 was widened (as painful as that subject is for some). Traffic still backs up at the Leucadia Blvd stoplight and the Marcheta stop signs some every workday morning, but nowhere nearly as bad as it did. When the stop signs are removed at Marcheta St., circulation will be even better. And I asked the city about the stop signs last week and they told me the N/S stops at Marcheta St. are coming down after Phase 1 of Streetscape installs the first roundabout at Marcheta. I have no reason to doubt what they said and am glad they will be eliminated. And yes, it's more than a fable that a nun was killed at that corner and that one block west of the hwy there was a Catholic school. I remember when that happened back when children relied on common sense to cross the railroad tracks. It's was a lot easier to be hit on a 4 lane highway.
still is....
ReplyDeleteSure, still is. But a bit more hazardous at 60 mph back then.
ReplyDeleteI stool see drivers going 60mph..... Especially motorcycles.
ReplyDeleteI guess it is still a fast highway.
I think you mean "still", unless those drivers scare you that much.
DeleteYep. Happens on Vulcan Ave too. Probably everywhere else. Well, except Carlsbad Blvd!
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I've said this many times before, so I repeat: I have no intention of ever running for office. I don't see that as my role; I have no political ambitions for myself. I will continue to be an opinionated observer. Take it or leave it!
ReplyDeleteI'm grateful for those who do appreciate what I have to share, and who've done so much to help inform me. The City could and should take note of this and various news blogs, such as UT and Coast News, community commentaries and letters to the editor. The community is "reaching out" to the City. Encinitas doesn't need to stage more and more workshops that are mostly attended by so called "stakeholders," and at which there is actually limited opportunity for the public to speak. One is lucky to get two minutes in a two hour or more workshop! Every citizen is a stakeholder, but not everyone can or wants to deal with City Hall.
To Gus Vina, the most important part of his so-called Strategic Planning sessions, were with Council and his also rebranded "cabinet team." Vina's "cabinet" used to just be called the heads of departments. Vina used his hiring abilities to do a "take-over" at City Hall, solidifying his cabinet and Council as part of his team, which gave him an undeserved "excellent" evaluation, which the community does not support. Our ability to participate in that evaluation was severely curtailed, without "Risk Management" ever providing specific precedent, that is Case Law, or Statutory Code, which would prevent an online forum. According to Jace Schwarm, the City Attorney's and City Manager's Constitutional Right of Privacy (of their employee records, which STILL could have remained private) outweighed the public's right to weigh through an online process, as part of the evaluations. But we can still weigh in, allegedly, "after the fact" of that initial evaluation, through this community outreach process. I urge everyone who has issues with Gus Vina, the City Attorney, and Council's actions, to take advantage of any online forums offered through the City.
Thank goodness for those residents involved and aware enough to care, and to share their perspectives with the City. If we don't stand up and speak out, then only Commercial interests, "connected insiders" concerned about growing profit, making more money, will "have a say." The bottomlne, the highest value, cannot always be measured in monetary terms. Quality of life and community character mean much more than expanding profit and escalating monetary property values.