Sunday, October 18, 2015

Iconic Surf Cleaners sign bites the dust



San Diego Reader 2009:
This very cool old sign for Surf Cleaners in Encinitas has been there since I was a little kid and it's probably been there a lot longer than that. I hope they never change it.
Never change it?  Pshaw!

Check out the suburb-a-licious new conformity!



UPDATE 10/21/15: The San Dieguito Heritage Museum has obtained the sign. Glad to hear that loving hands will preserve it if the city won't allow it to remain in its rightful place.

101 comments:

  1. Yes this council is sucking the Soul out of our town! Several out of scale, out of character monstrosities are being built right now. But the vibrant drinking atmosphere that is more appropriate for gas lamp or PB is alive and well and GROWING.

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    1. 7:43, and EU,

      This is an outrageous over reach of government authority.

      Unless government had nothing to do with it.

      EU, as a libertarian, should the business owner have discression to advertise the business as they wish?

      Delete
    2. 9:35,

      Who said anything about government? But now that you mention it...

      As a libertarian, I support your right to continue using whatever mind-altering substances led you to believe that the business owners wanted to get rid of their own iconic, historic sign, and that the city had nothing to do with this.

      Delete
    3. The sign, existing long before incorporation, should have been grandfathered in. In city-speak, that's legal, non-conforming.

      Delete
  2. I'm sure one day when the La Paloma is messed with you will know the city planners were not in the process. Look around and tell me the leadership is helping preserve the things that matter vs. destroying the character of our town and quite rapidly if you look at 101 and I st, what's planned a few blocks north, behind papagayo, squished in on hermes, etc.

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  3. The owners needed to fix the sign. The City said if they took it down it was no longer "grandfathered" in and would not be legally conforming to our new standards, whatever they are. The owners tried to fix it while it was still up, but that didn't work, so they had to take it down. This is the result. The irony is that people can have goats, chickens, bees, and pigs in their yard, but we couldn't preserve one shred of community character? This is a sad day for those of us who have lived her a long time.

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    1. Typically, a fence can be reconstructed to it's grandfathered status. The owners could have asked for a variance, and would have got it, with this Council, I think. If Surf saved its sign, maybe it's not too late? And they should get a facade grant, while they're at it!

      Zoning is not stronger than our personal liberties and our collective and individual property rights. Planning officials and code enforcement staff should not be making these kind of decisions, which negatively impact community character, without direction from Council, on behalf of the public.

      Vina's cabinet is infamous for abusing its discretion, using unfettered discretion, and treating by right entitlements as a discretionary process to garner income through permitting fees purposely inflated to justify an inflated city staff, particularly at the administrative/executive officer level. It's great that she'll be able to help hire a new Planning Director. We hope the Parks and Rec director will follow Vina to Brentwood, or beyond.

      The best thing our new city manager could do would be to help our city by cutting down on operating expenses. So much of the work is being contracted out. Consultants are hired with the foregone conclusion that all fees will be raised. Staff has no incentive to operate more efficiently, because the consultant's study bases the amount of fees to be paid on the amount of time staff spends on each task.

      How could a permit for a replacement water heater require $60 worth of processing fees? Permitting fees are like cocaine to an addicted city, turned into a development machine.

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  4. It seems as if the planning dept. or another branch of city government is getting a bit out of control. There is a lovely restaurant called Casa de Quero, which is the sister of Quero (on 101 in Encinitas), right behind the Chevron Station off of Birmingham by the 5 freeway. The owner, Monica, wants to put a small outdoor area where people can dine. The area would not be by any neighbors and would be basically up from the freeway. However, the City wants $50,000 minimum for Monica to do this. Why? She was told there are certain issues about doing this having to do with outdoor areas. It's a bit ironic to see how many bars downtown that have outdoor areas with loud drunks out, and Monica, who only has a wine and beer license, cannot even have an outdoor area to let customers eat, with no music and no hard alcohol. I sure would love to know what is going on? Does anyone have any idea about either Surf Cleaners, and what violations they made by taking down their sign to get it fixed, and/or Casa de Quero, who just wants to put a small outdoor area and that price tag, which goes to the City, is $50,000 according to the owner. I really don't get it.

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    1. City bureaucrats need to accumulate the "fees" for their fat pensions and salaries. These people have nothing to do but harass small business owners over trifles; they are parasites on the working class. Incorporation was a grave error.

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    2. The grave error lies in letting the inmates run the asylum. This is easily correctable if Council has the will to change this and gives direction to the City Manager to get the inmates under control.

      We don't need to unincorporate; just set expectations and follow through on the consequences of not meeting those expectations.

      But with a Council that showers praise on "staff," constantly signaling they're doing a great job, nothing will change.

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  5. They were not allowed to take it down for repairs and put it back up? WTF!!!!!

    I propose we start a petition drive to remedy this bs move from the city.

    Surf Cleaners, please save that sign if you can, while we attempt to guilt the city into doing the right thing.

    John DeWald, as head of Encinitas 101, you can help do something about this, if you have the will. How about it John? Is it in you? If Surf Cleaners needs a little funding. I am sure this community would help and step up. I know I would donate $ in some small degree to Save Our Heritage.

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  6. As an addition to my post above, I would support with $ a facsimile sign, if the old one cannot be rehabbed in its present condition.

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  7. City of San Diego has over 1000 designated historic landmarks. As I understand it, a commission approves landmark status. The owner has to apply for status. The designation preserves important buildings, signs, and structures. Modification or demolition has to be approved by the commission.

    So why would an owner sign up to limit changes to their property?

    As I understand it, the city funds a grant pool in the annual budget. Owners of landmarks can apply for grants to help fund restorations, repairs and maintenance of protected landmarks.

    I wish we had something similar. It would be nice to protect La Paloma, the SRF lotus tower, Derby House, Pannakin building, the boat houses, the Cardiff Mercantile Building, the old school house, and Walmart (kidding).

    I believe the O-hain meeting hall is already protected, as the only Encinitas landmark on the National Register of Historic Places.

    Who knows? If we had something similar, maybe the sign would have been restored rather than removed.

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  8. Nice to see that old building has been restored, hopefully they can jack the rents and keep the bums out.

    Bums out of Encinitas!!!

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    1. "Jack the the rents" and you drive the current tenants out. I hope you don't consider them bums.

      During Prop A many shop owners feared construction potentially up to five stories, as they would then no longer be able to afford the rent. You end up like Pasadena with mall stores like the Gap and Pottery Barn where individual stores used to be. DEMA came down like a ton of bricks against Prop A, but members, especially those who were not landowners downtown, were afraid to go against DEMA.

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    2. You mean big corporate stores like 7-11 and Whole foods??
      After 8 years of low to no interest rates and 7 TRILLION dollars in new borrowing/spending the economy is not better than it was, therefore we are seeing more and more "bums" invade our streets/parks. I always wonder how/why the council never responds then again the bums aren't camped at city hall are they....

      DEMA...what a joke.

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    3. Well the bums are camped out next to city hall at the library which is just a glorified homeless shelter with internet access. Watch your valuables if you go to the library!

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    4. 4:19 yes, I mean corporate stores like 7-11 and Whole Foods. A string of them would be the death of our beautiful, classic downtown. Not sure how long 7-11's been there; it probably went in before incorporation, but Whole Foods is another story.

      Developed by DeWald and other "investors" who no doubt can't wait to do more of the same the first chance they get...reinvest their profits, right?

      This city seems bent on replacing all character with a generic stamp of stucco and cement. That new sign would fit in perfectly in Orange County or San Elijo Hills, but looks downright stupid on our main street. We're slowly losing our soul and the council/city apparently could not be happier.

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  9. I'll be happy to look into it, as I know someone on the Commission in San Diego. Maybe we need a Landmark Commission here in Encinitas? I would not want it under any current Commissions we have. What do you all think about adding a Commission of this sort? LAG

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  10. 1:20- I think it would be great to have a Commission on this. The Encinitas Historical Society is nice, but it doesn't seem too supported by the City. Why don't address the Council in Oral Communications and see if it can be done. I know I'd love to be on that Commission.

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  11. Then should speak and volunteer, 3:23!

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  12. This is ridiculous...... If that sign could not be repaired properly then it had to go. And why blame only the city for this? Doesn't the owner also have a responsibility to preserve community character? If the owner felt that character needed to be maintained he/she could have designed a far more appealing (perhaps art deco in a beachy kindaway) facade then what has been built.

    - The Sculpin

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    1. I didn't hear anyone say the sign couldn't be repaired properly... 10:04 said the city wouldn't allow them to take it down to repair it.

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    2. EU is right. The owners tried to repair the sign while it was up, knowing that if they took it down, it would not be able to go up again, at least the same sign. The owners fought and lost with the City. At some point they may have been disgusted with the whole process and let the City tell them what to put up instead. That part I don't know.

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  13. Prop A passed and the density bonus rounding went to down because individual citizens got together to fight the good fight. They led. Many got on board.

    To restore that sign and preserve community character, a person or a few people have to lead, then many will follow.

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  14. I had heard Surf Cleaners was about to remodel and they might be having a problem with the city preserving their historic SC sign. I forget now who told me that. But that didn't surprise me too much. Several years back, they had asked (or told) Leucadia Liquor to take down their mid-century towering sign. That goodness they were stubborn. Their recent remodel looks great! I also believe there is a sign ordinance that prohibits signs hanging over a sidewalk. So I wanted to see if I could help. I took some pictures of the sign, then made a quick redo in Photoshop. I have a sign maker friend in Old Town who is incredibly good and his rates are very reasonable. I sent a digital sample to councilman Kranz because I heard he was endeavoring to help them save / restore their sign.

    Brief history: Sid Shaw (RIP) I believe had owned the building there since the 40's. Now I believe his daughter Vickie owns it. Here was my email to and response back from Tony on Aug. 7.

    "Read a rumor you're helping SURF CLEANERS preserve their sign. So I couldn't help but try it too. Feel free to use it any way u like if the rumor is true...... BTW, a vinyl print on good gauge plastic would make a quick fix for a friend of mine with a shop in Old Town. It could go right over the existing sign. Replacing the neon would be a lot extra, natch. "

    "Tony: Hi Fred. Thanks for the email and art. I forwarded your email to Vickie Shaw and she may be in touch with you."

    By the time Vickie emailed me (only a few days later), the sign had been torn down. She posted pics of the before and after on facebook. Half or more of the comments miss the old sign. But Vickie said it was a hazzard and full of rust which I don't doubt so close to great waves.

    By chance I ran into Thora (newest director of DEMA). She asked me about the sign and I told her it had been thown away. She wasn't happy. "This (kind of preservation) is what we're all about!" she said. I know, I said. Thora had been out of town when it happened.

    There's been a LOT of cool signage dissapear from our city the last 50 years. And I'm guilty of selling some of it!! But I'm guilty of restoring some of it too, and will always be happy I had something to do with the retro designed Berri Bros gas station near Bishops Gate on N 101. Meanwhile, I still have the specs for Surf Cleaners' sign on my computer, so nothing's impossible!

    https://www.facebook.com/fred.caldwell.127

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  15. Love you Fred, but I guess it depends on which Council person one talked to, as I got a different answer from another Council member. Nevertheless, it would appear as if Tony did little, as bottom line the sign is down.

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    1. Tony likes to talk, does little unless it's to vote to benefit his new friends. Come election time, his former base will remember.

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    2. I know Tony came on the Old School Encinitas FB site and did talk put together the Shaw's with the planning Dept. Don't know what the result is, but there's lots of speculation here about what happened. They may have decided the money they had to put in the sign wasn't worth it for them, and clearly they were going with a redesign. Some of you folks who wanted the sign maybe should have anted up and gotten a crowdsourcing thing going instead of bitching all the time...

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    3. Careful, cowboy. You moved from "may have decided" the money wasn't worth it to a mini rant over crowd sourcing and bitching.

      Too much speculating here: either name names and quote code, or sit down.

      Delete
    4. There were also personal issues with the current owner (I won't go into) that may prohibit the current business from staying there - I was told. Nothing lasts forever. "Except Cher" - BN.

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    5. Personal issues aside, who was the city contact and what was the code? Does anyone of y'all reporting on speculations and maybes know??

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    6. Thanks Fred. My point was, as Fred alluded to, that there may be more than meets the eye with the owners of Surf and their business decisions. In other words, if they aren't staying there long term, why would they pay a lot of money to mess with the sign. Maybe they didn't want to keep the sign, who knows is my point.

      I can't point you to the actual section of code, but I believe the rule is as long as the existing sign is in place, it can be repaired. If it comes down, then it's non-conforming to current rules and things get more complicated.

      My bigger point it, I'm not crying for someone's sign if they didn't want to keep it....

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  16. The elephant in the room, of course, is: what department made the decision on the sign (assume it's Planning), who in the department made the decision (if Planning, the buck stops with Manjeet), and what code was cited to support the decision not to allow repair and return of the original sign?

    Those are the real questions. Do we once again have staff gone rogue, or is this an actual code on the books? Inquiring minds want to know!

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    Replies
    1. I can't cite chapter and verse, but it's common knowledge that non-conforming signs and structures have to be brought up to code to get a permit for renovations.

      In this case, since they were replacing the whole facade, they probably needed a permit.

      This is why we need a landmarks commission. Landmark status should override the forced conformance to current code for iconic structures representative of a different time.

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    2. I am interested in the code, too. A commission, while possibly helpful in future, won't help this situation that may well have been created by a rogue planning employee.

      To those who talked with Tony on this, did he say who at the city made this decision, and specifically why? It would not be the first time staff made a business owner jump through non-existing hoops.

      This should be easily explained if on the up-and-up, and not decided by whim.

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    3. When Leucadia's Specific Plan was approved, its full of oatmeal homogenization for buildings and signs - right down to never using "neon or corny fonts", like the PC never drove Route 66, had any fun and was afraid of art.
      Art Deco design for example got its beginnings I think in 1919 when King Tut's tomb was discovered. Zig-zag and geometric shapes became the norm for popular designs in EVERYTHING from clothing, signage, buildings, hardware, autos to you name it. In 1925 at a Paris exhibition it exploded until around World War II. What happened? Blackouts. They killed the neon industry for 5 years. And what was Hitler doing? Taking Deco to its next level with imposing art and sculpture. It suddenly looked too scary and art on the planet immediately got very conservative with plain and simple designs. Jukeboxes for example went from looking like spacecraft from alien worlds to rectangles, undistingushable from cigarette machines (but hey, there were way cool looking cigarette machines pre-war too! I sold an interesting cylindrical one to "Nasty Habits" in San Diego that may still be there. But you catch my drift.) The neon industry dried up and blew away right along with a lot of commercial art.
      Growing up in the antiques biz, I see what kind of advertising sells and quality never goes out of style. I never liked drinking Coca Cola and its probably one of the worst things you can put in your body daily, but have to admit their advertising historically is some of the best ever. Their logo adopted in the 1880's has barely changed 130 years later. Of course they don't put cocaine in it anymore. We had their first magazine ad once that read "Ladies at the soda fountain. All happy and healthy and all drinking Coca Cola. Why? Because of its great taste and beneficial results." But their artwork for their ads and signage is pretty amazing. In WWII they spent $39 million on ads. Pepsi spent a little over $3 million. Its hard to look at any downtown pic from anywhere in the 1900's and not see some cool Coke ad in it. Somehow its a permanent part of giving the world a sense of place (especially America IMHO).
      OK I'm rambling. But I always did like the Surf Cleaners sign with its Gumby head shape and funky wave spilling over the sidewalk! If you remember Jerry's Shoes, they had a 10' two sided, 9 color enamel neon sign for Rooster Shoes that was a part of downtown Encinitas for 60 years. They were going to toss that onetoo but couldn't resist my offer of $200. Its no longer here unfortunately but it did find a good home. A woman who grew up here in Encinitas bought it and replaced the neon. She has Nights of Neon in LA. A biz she started with a few hundred bucks and it flourished. She now builds and supplies a lot of signs for movies and collectors and her showroom is nuts. But "Jerry's" shoe sign is her favorite! I still have 2 old signs from Leucadia that I'm keeping. One from Reidel's Cafe (that was next to the Leucadian), and one that hung on the Log Cabin Motel.

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    4. 8:28,

      I wouldn't be so sure to blame staff.

      Council often passes short-sighted ordinances without considering the unintended consequences. It's quite likely staff were just doing their job according to the ordinance.

      See also Keeping Santa Fe Plaza Crappy.

      Delete
  17. Thanks Fred for your efforts. I hope we can see something like the original go back up there. That front now looks as in or un distinguished a stark blankness as it could be, thanks to someone at the city.

    Bottom feeder, why do even bother to post? Please just stay in your Olivenhain compound and spare us your worthless dribble. You have added nothing positive or beneficial to most discussions over the past few years.

    Fred, you are a local treasure, excepting certain faulty beliefs about the 101 major arterial, but on so many other issues, a truly valuable resource. Your efforts on the Surf Cleaner sign are appreciated by those who want to Save our Heritage. Thanks for being there.

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    1. 9:58, thx. I blame the sharks from Orange County wanting to force Redevelopment on us in 1990 for most of the civic involvement I was compelled to pursue.

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    2. And another try in 2004, w/ local shark Peder Norby as the booster

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    3. Peer contended redevelopment could be a good or a bad thing. He also enabled downtown infrastructure to improve without an RDA or using eminent domain.

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    5. Peder, sorry I dropped the d. And sorry my phone posts comments twice!

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    6. Yeah, and Peder called Leucadia "blighted." He also lied about the results of the Cardiff citizens meetings. Thank heaven for video.

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    7. Missed the "blighted" comment. But I've worked with Peder on many good things. One in particular was the location of the library - that prevented Quail Gardens Drive from becoming another commercial corridor. (Oh God. Here come the library haters!)

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  18. I still don't understand who made this happen, and why.

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    1. Does anyone know anything about the new development on 101 called the CAPRI? It''s across the street from the Lumberyard's south entrance. It is where the old motel used to be. Kranz once said he wished that the motel could come down and something nice be built. This thing looks huge. It's got 5000' of retail, 4 luxury condos with views, and looks quite upscale and not at all looks like our community character. I didn't see any permits, as they would not let me on the site. Can't help but wonder if this is a violation of Prop A? Anyone know anything about this complex?

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    2. 12:28,

      I think this was already zoned for mixed-use. So if it's 2 stories and less than 30 feet tall, it shouldn't have a problem with Prop A.

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    3. The architect's rendering looks like 3 stories, and it sure looks over 30 feet tall, but I couldn't talk to anyone about it. I did jot down a phone # for inquiries so I may call.

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    4. I believe it has underground parking, so the building can fill most of the lot. It's limited to 30' height measured from the natural grade. I don't think it's 3 stories.

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    5. Originally the building was 3 stories pre- Prop A. Supposedly, the developer reduced the height to 30 feet. But, mixed-use with residential should only be 26 feet if the city followed what other cities have done. No one wants to discuss keeping the building at 26 feet.

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    6. The city doesn't measure the height. it is the developer's responsibility to certify the height.

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    7. The city approves the plans that include measure height measurements, so they'd better damn well be watching.

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    8. Aren't they supposed to put permits where everyone can see them? I ask because I wanted to see them and they told me they were on the site but I could not go on the site. I asked why? They said it was too dangerous. I said I would put a hard hat on. They still said NO. If anyone has a chance, go take a look at the architects rendering on CAPRI. It makes the Whole Foods complex look old fashioned. This is truly high tech. Hard to imagine what it will look like with the existing structures around it. Maybe Potato Shack will be the next to go, as it certainly doesn't fit with this upscale place. Does anyone know if Jim Chichione (spelling wrong) still owns the Potato Shack?

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    9. Yes, notice is supposed to be on the fence. Start calling.

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    10. 4:27 PM
      Other development approved will have that hi tech look also. The new bank building that is all glass and see through is in the works. Downtown is gone. The new replacement buildings are Little Italy/generic box and glass. Blame it on the council that picked the planning commission that rubber stamps anything planning staff gives them.

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    11. Criticize this council all you want, but one undeniable fact is they are tasteless and have no class. What is being approved downtown is a reflection of this as well.

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    12. "Taste" and "Class" are subjective concepts. Building codes should not be.

      You cannot regulate your personal aesthetic taste onto others.

      I also dislike some of the cold, sterile architecture. Just not sure government can or should control that.

      Delete
  19. Sigh......who remembers the Broken Surfboard in Cabo - best breakfast on the tip and a great view of the bay....

    - The Sculpin

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  20. Sculpin- It must be nice living in Olivenhain, riding your horse, and then checking out this site to make snarky comments. When one of these monstrosities come your way, please don't expect anyone to feel sorry for you. And, I'm not talking about Desert Rose. I'm talking about a full size shopping center, with housing, a market, and maybe even a movie theater. Sorry, there won't be enough room for horses, as the streets will have to be widened to support the cars and bicycles that will be going through your neighborhood.

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    Replies
    1. It will never happen.

      Ever since the train began stopping for water at cottonwood creek, 101 has been the hub of business and commercial development.

      Olivenhain has an entirely different history.

      If you want the lifestyle of Sculpin, move to where Sculpin is.

      Sculpin is an intelligent and honest voice on the blog. I don't always agree, but I respect his opinion.

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    2. 6:31,

      I too value Sculpin's comments.

      But this does point out a big difference in world views. Sculpin is extremely well-traveled, and more sentimental about some of the more spectacular things he's seen around the world.

      A lot of the old Encinitas locals have spent most of their lives in this little bit of paradise, and are sentimental about the last relics of the Encinitas they once knew.

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    3. 5:21,

      Haven't you seen the city's upzoning maps?

      Olivenhain is exempt. Upzoning is for the little people.

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    4. A lot of people are sentimental about the the last relics of what they once new, but a lot of that is more due to the rapid social and economic changes of the last 10-20 years than anything else. Most of the stuff we argue about on here is minor stuff, first world troubles.

      Encinitas is a rich guy town ruled by rich guy decisions, it hasn't been the old Encinitas, but some people are just realizing it. Only the recession held off the avalanche of new restaurants and shopping. My friend complains about it all the time, but the subtext of the argument is "I can't afford to eat at that restaurant", not the restaurant itself.

      If you don't make big money now, you don't get to live here unless you own your own square of paradise....

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    5. Encinitas is a rich guy's town? Try most of CA and you would be more accurate. Where does Encinitas rate in terms of "richness" out of all the cities in CA?

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    6. Encinitas vs Calif:

      Median value of owner-occupied housing units, 2009-2013 Enc $695,200 CA $366,400

      Median household income, 2009-2013 Enc $91,795 CA $61,094


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    7. 9:06, EU's figures are exactly why affordable housing in our town is unachievable. Rents are based on median income, so $2,000/month is considered "affordable."

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    8. The median income is a lot lower in Escondido, trust me. It stayed cheap here for a long time. The house I live in was 270k in 1992, now it's over a million, with most of the appreciation in the last 10-15 years....

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    9. There is "teacher" affordable.

      And then there is "would you like fries with that?" affordable.

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  21. 8:17 reads so insincere and weird...maybe that's just how you talk, but that attempt to soothe ruffled feathers sure smacks of paid city employee: "nothing to see here folks, move along." Easy to smell a mile away.

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  22. 7:15, wait'll the rest of the city figures out olivenhain's not on the map. Back to the drawing board for our busy bee planners!

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    1. Council allowed dear, departed Murphy to send up 3 maps to the state. Did they decide on one? And do all include the (shhhh) 20% buffer?

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    2. Better get your nose checked 10:43, I've never worked for the city. I'm just not going to cry about the sign. I like it as much as anyone, I'm a big fan of googie and roadside art, but I'm also smart enough to know this day was coming in Encinitas. I've spent more time inside of city hall fighting battles than you ever will, armchair QB....

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    3. Oooh, struck a nerve. You may not care about the sign, but others do. Trying to talk folks out of their upset with your "this day was coming" advice reeks.

      This town will soon sport nothing but cement and pale peach stucco if enough people act as "smart" as you and do nothing.

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    4. 7:29,

      The 3 maps had a lot of similarities. In general, they all hit Leucadia and Old Encinitas the hardest, and let Olivenhain and Cardiff off the hook ("Cardiff's" contribution is almost entirely along Santa Fe, which is the border with Old Encinitas, which is already assigned way more than its share).

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    5. Except I'm one of the guys doing something and you're the one doing nothing but talk about staff endlessly. I care about the sign, but guess what, it's already gone. We can learn from the mistake here and try and prevent it from happening again, or say the same crap over and over on here while nothing gets done. I opt for A. That's why I talked to someone on council about it. What did you do?.

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    6. Don't see an A. You must be effective.

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    7. Effective is my middle name, comrade!

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  23. FYI, publisher with Alias 'Gus Varone' is a Jewish Supremacist.

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  24. The city is just going to have another version of the last failed HEU attempt, when all units were piled along El Camino Real.

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  25. EU- I'd be curious as to exactly where in Cardiff you think there is anywhere more to build? There is an ugly project going up on Lake and Santa Fe, but outside of that I can't imagine where else in Cardiff one could build. The City bought up the Hall property, so that's out. All of the other flower growers have sold as well and things have been built on those properties. Unless you think eminent domain is a good things, I truly cannot see anywhere else in Cardiff things could be built. Please enlighten me.

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    1. If I'm not mistaken, one of the parcels on the maps is the shopping center where VG's is. If they rezone it to allow underground parking, retail at ground level, and dense condos above, the value of the property will shoot up. The current owner may opt to take the money and sell to a developer who could scrape it and build from scratch.

      The parcels under consideration don't have to be vacant.

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    2. I wouldn't live in Cardiff if you paid me a million dollars or more. It is so congested, houses on top of houses, built on hillsides. They all could fall on top of each other one day.

      Delete
    3. 2:19- The owner of the parcel where VG's is located is owned by a man who lives in Spain. When last a few of us checked he did to want to sell. 2:45- Your point is well taken, so please EU where exactly has Cardiff gotten off scott free. There are no more places to build unless you want to pile more houses on top of hills that might collapse.

      Delete
    4. Those hills are chock full of infill opportunities. Anyone with a property upzone will become their neighbors' worst enemy when they take the money and run.

      The Council will crow about their "accomplishment" of a state-certified HEU.

      Stop this insanity and just say no.

      Delete
  26. Sounds like sculpin is posting on here anonymously stroking himself. Please do that in private.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Remember: you don't have to build it, just plan for it! So the city says, but once you upzone, believe you me, your neighbors will sell and developers will come.

    Upzoned "underutilized parcels" and "infill opportunities" do not have to be large, open parcels. The city is referring to existing residential areas already built on.

    So Cardiff? Plenty of potential!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Personally, I think the entire block should come down and shit can that awful looking car wash at the same time.

    ReplyDelete
  29. The California Housing Element drafted by socialists in 1969 can be abolished. The cultural Marxist-trained California Supreme Court needs to be held accountable for their social engineering . The residents of all cities in California (best reason not to incorporate) allegedly have to comply with an anti-American edict that determines a properties use by social engineers?! It's time to fight back and this edict will pit one part of town against another and standby because there's a movement underway in New Encinitas (who has the most voters in the City of Encinitas) to ensure the wealthy left-coast limo libs or neo-hippies take on their pro-rata share of Section 8 housing where momma and her 5 sons will post up in their new crib (aka patrol base) and branch out at night into your neighborhoods looking for 'fun' & unlocked windows to climb through. The flower shop and massive field at Lake and Birmingham is prime grade-A infill. It's musical chairs and Cardiff will become a new urban ghetto...who wouldn't want to bum around at the beach, eat 99 cent fish tacos, crap in the fruit filled park and perv out on you and your daughters down by the waves bro?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow, quite the manifesto, comrade...

      Delete
    2. 10:23 PM is so off the wall I can't tell if it's serious or a spoof. I'm hoping for the later because if it's the former this person needs help. By the way 10:23, counties are required to have hosing elements and have RHNA obligations.

      Time to stock up on the tin foil.

      Delete
  30. News flash. Somebody rescued the sign from Vista!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Put it in the lead car with Gaspar in the Christmas Parade - she can claim she rescued the icon and now it is part of her staff.

      Delete
  31. Stick it up next to surfing Madonna. We can start a shrine to council follies.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Surfy Surfy might want a copy too.

    ReplyDelete
  33. When I think of how much business I have given Surf Cleaners over the years.... but I will never go there again, unless the sign reappears, even minus the square part on top I'd be joyfully back as a customer. A true part of Encinitas' soul.

    ReplyDelete