Tonight's council aligned itself tightly with Marco Gonzalez in an impressive show of strength against a roomful of concerned residents.
Blakespear didn't even pretend to listen to testimony about the mess tonight'sapproval of the Leucadia Chevron (was Shell) expansion will add to the existing fiasco at the Leucadia Blvd./Orpheus intersection at I-5.
Staff pulled some real humdingers pushing this project through and Gonzalez pushed the compliant council over the line with his predictable "I'll sue" hysteria.
It wasn't until a visibly disheveled Kranz blurted out at the end of the meeting after voting to approve the project "but we'll get sued!" So while Gonzalez sort of kept himself in check during the meeting, there is no doubt in my mind, even watching from home, that Gonzalez had put the screws to all five. Kranz, ever the developer's willing errand boy, disclosed he'd met with Gonzalez in person. Hinze said she talked with him for 10 minutes to "get answers to my questions." No doubt Blakespear told Hinze that Gonzalez was a good source for truth in reporting.
Hubbard never opened her mouth and Hinze pretended to care - a little. She's still under the watchful eye of Dictator Blakespear and can't step too far out of line, after all.
Mosca practically sat in staff's lap as he helped them explain how they decided to apply what sounded like nothing from the city code.
What a night for democracy! Blakespear and her cronies voted unanimously to pack the commissions with more "complete streets" cycling nuts and a developer to take Hubbard's place on the Planning Commission.
The fix is in, folks. Get used it: bend over, and as Hubbard says, you'll even thank her later for it.
Ha, before anyone starts complaining why don't one of the wronged residents run? Trust me, there were 15-20 pissed off people outside arranging exactly that.
enjoy while you can, phony tony! Did anyone else think he was plastered?
He appeared on screen at least to be leaning over a lot. His commission appointment comments were hard to follow. Those single-syllable words will trip you up every time!
11:41 - Gupta, Gonzalez, whatever - the "roar" of I5 is out your back door, not the rest of the neighbors. Guess you don't travel our streets much. Scared?
Now the proposal comes back without a car wash, but with a restaurant. Hands down Blakepear's most idiotic comment of the night: "This time no car wash!"
No to this Mira Mesa clone, not everything. Just this cheap-looking Mira Mesa clone.
The gas station cares more about freeway customers than the locals anyway. Anything the owner would have proposed would have been fought by the neighbors. Why, because he's not a decent person. I speak from experience.
Agree with the last bit, but it's actually not true that "anything" would be fought.
Gupta received input that a design along the lines of Berryman Brothers. Greg Drakos when on the Planning Commission told them look for mid-century modern and took time to explain what he meant. Neighbors would not have fought anything even remotely resembling either suggestion.
Nope, the Guptas wanted Mira Mesa2 and that's what they got. They're going to have to depend on freeway customers, because the neighborhood hates them. And as far as the freeway folks, well - Yelp can be a powerful tool.
In the end though he's not decent and that will bite him in the ass every time.
Guideline, Wikipedia: "A guideline is a statement by which to determine a course of action. A guideline aims to streamline particular processes according to a set routine or sound practice. By definition, following a guideline is never mandatory. Guidelines are not binding and are not enforced."
Projects have often been turned back because they ran afoul of the guidelines. So despite the benign-sounding name, they actually do have teeth if applied. But that's a big "if." This station owner had his project denied twice at the PC and once by council over your "not binding" guidelines.
We have been swindled. What is the difference between a market aned a QSR?
Both can sell bags of potato chips and cookies. Both can sell apples and packaged sandwiches. A market can have a service deli and a QSR could also be a service deli and a service deli can sell both hot and cold food items.
So there is no difference and what we are getting is a 3000+ square foot market with a partition, all under the same ownership.
One of the speakers revealed that the last proposal denied totaled 3,038 square feet. This time the applicant split the building into two uses: restaurant and market, totaling...wait for it...3,038 square feet.
This is our council in bed with an attorney and developer who got a compliant staff to figure out how to make it work so the council might pretend that this project is different than the one they denied last year.
Last night was a swindle of residents, by the city.
We, Leucadians need to contact our district representative for assistance. Oh yeah, that would be Kranz. The one who fought and approved all the new development in Leucadia.
Candidate already lined up. With his anti-resident voting record - Chevron being the latest, he can't make any claim except to being the developers' lap dog.
And trust me, our neighborhoods have built a communications network out of necessity that WILL get the word out.
Better start laying plans for your next career, Phony - you are going home.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, we've heard that before. Just like when you were going to take out Catherine with JP. How did that work for you? Don't worry Tony, it's only a small group in Leucadia that constantly complain about everything. Like Susan Turney and her freakie Husband.
Among other lies, Tony stated and it was reported in the newspaper that he had graduated with a BA, but he actually admitted that he dropped out without graduating. At least Jerome Stocks spent some money and purchased a diploma from a diploma mill.
Tony thinks that by being beholden to the developers that they will take care of him. Guess again, Tony.
Take out Catherine with JP? I don't think that was an actual plan involving motivated residents.
Between Tony losing his shit on the Beacon's staircase, his weird behavior on Streetscape not wanting to narrow a lane now "because people will find out it backs up" and his vote this week on the Chevron, he's making a name for himself all over his district.
During the Chevron appeal Mayor Blakespear spent the whole time with her head down and scribbling. Obviously she was not listening to the public comments. When it came time for council discussion only Mosca and Hinze asked some feeble questions. Blakespear read her scribbling to make the motion to deny the appeal. Her minions quickly fell in line behind her and voted to support her motion of denial.
In spite of Planner Anna Yentile's admission that the "Quick Service Restaurant" category is not included in the zoning matrix of the Municipal Code, there was still a unanimous decision to approve the project. It was painfully apparent that the decision had been made before the hearing even started.
The zoning code is woefully out of date. As new development concepts appear, the staff looks for similarity to other definitions and their requirements that can be applied to the new concept. The concept of the QSR is that it acts like retail. Unlike a regular restaurant where most patrons consume the food onsite, thus creating a higher demand for parking, a QSR serves all food to go with no onsite consumption. That's like an individual retail store where you go in, select the merchandise for purchase and leave.
Thanks, but I'm not Marco. The property is zoned Visitor Serving Commercial (VSC) which allows restaurants. The use isn't the issue. A QSR has restaurant in the name. The issue was the parking requirements. So would you be okay with the project if it had more parking spaces?
Follow the code. QSR has quick in its name. big whoopdie-doo as marco said. Planning staff didn't use existing code for a reason. Would you be ok with the project doing that? If not, why don't you want to follow the law?
Ah, the old avoid an answer by asking a question instead. You didn't answer which leaves me to assume you're against the project no matter what and are using the zoning code as an excuse. The use definitions in the zoning code are general and try to fit multiple types of examples. The reason is to identify the type of activity allowed and the requirements for that activity.
To your question, yes, as long as staff can show how the activity proposed is similar to other defined uses. Besides, QSR is a new term being used by the industry which is not yet an agreed upon land use term. The Subway across the street is, in effect, a QSR because they aren't allowed to have tables, only take-out (yes, I'm aware they've been sited for breaking that).
Answer: had the project required restaurant parking for this "farm to table" project, I would not have opposed it. I live too far away for restaurant parking in front of my house, but I do walk that way and don't look forward to the street congestion.
The use definitions are not general as much as staff would love you to think they are. Again, no reason not to use existing code. Making one up simply doesn't pass the sniff test. "Industry" terms don't matter. Code does. You seem to be having difficulty digesting this concept.
And the Subway has yet to be cited, so...excuse the neighbors if they have zero faith the Chevron owner will be reined in when he violates his agreement. This city is all about its developers and businesspeople.
This will come up at election time for Hinze and Kranz, neither of whom lifted a finger for their district residents. Unless you count the middle one.
I guess I wasn't clear when I said "QSR is a new term used by the industry which is not yet an agreed upon land use term". I agree industry terms don't matter. They come and go. For example, you won't find "fast food restaurant" in the zoning code use definitions. That's because it falls under "drive in or drive through restaurant". You will find both "drug store" and "pharmacy" in the use matrix but they differ slightly where they are allowed and if a use permit is required. So what differentiates a pharmacy from a drug store? Neither are included in the use definitions. You presume our zoning code has more precise use definitions then it actually does. Most of these definitions are from the original adopted zoning code in 1989. You see, I don't have any problem with the concept.
So you have no problem with staff coming up with a new designation not found in our municipal code's zoning use matrix, the city's Bible for land use, claiming it has "no guidelines," admitting it doesn't exist, yet applying it?
If so, you be part of the problem. Your name doesn't happen to be Anna or Roy, does it? Brenda, perhaps? Gupta?
Current zoning demanded that this excuse for another 1,000 sq ft not share a common wall. It needed to be separated from the mini market to be allowable.
Zoning be damned. How many other entities would such an action past muster?
Apparently, it is who you know that allows zoning to not matter. How convenient!
Both Marco and the traffic engineer minimized the traffic increase. The owner is expecting a much bigger increase in order to make the expansion profitable. Marco said that the restaurant would feature locally baked bread and fresh organic produce and be an asset to the neighborhood. But then he let slip that it would also feature farm to table. TABLES???? There aren't supposed to be any tables, only take out. Add in the liquor license the owner will be applying for in the next round, the anticipated success will blow the increased traffic predictions out of the water, dumping more cars into an already overloaded intersection.
Encinitans! If your mayor is alright with this project, you'd better learn to like it - you're next! Blakespear led the others down the line to do this to Leucadia. 11:31, you're next!
Overheard at the library this afternoon: Surfrider cut ties with Gonzalez because he was too aggressive, sued too much, and scared away donors. Makes sense.
He likes to say he doesn't do work for them any longer like he had a choice, leaving out the part about getting the pointed boot.
I don't care whether Marco left on his own or was pushed out by Surfrider but acting like you have solid evidence because you overheard a discussion at the library is pretty lame. Is that the standard for information here at EU? I hope not.
Captain John Maryon of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department North Coastal Station has declared Encinitas City Hall a crime scene.
“It’s unprecedented that a station captain would declare a crime scene at a City Hall where the sheriff’s department is under contract,” said Maryon. “But the council and staff continue to so egregiously violate the public will that the crime scene declaration had to be made.”
Maryon cited the norms of the democratic form of government.
“We see this now in Washington,” he said. “Rather than following the will of the majority, the president and Senate cater to a vocal minority and monied special interests. Same in Encinitas where the City Council and staff ignore the public will and favor the few. That’s a fundamental crime against democracy.
“What makes it worse,” he said, “is the self-righteousness and hypocrisy of the City Council and staff who claim to be doing the people’s business. It’s enough to make a uniformed officer sick to his or her stomach. Sheriff’s deputies are sworn to serve and protect the public. By declaring Encinitas City Hall a crime scene, I’m doing my duty to protect citizens from their local government.”
What did 5C do tonight to set the city back?
ReplyDelete5C=Catherine's City Council Crony Clowns
Tonight's council aligned itself tightly with Marco Gonzalez in an impressive show of strength against a roomful of concerned residents.
ReplyDeleteBlakespear didn't even pretend to listen to testimony about the mess tonight'sapproval of the Leucadia Chevron (was Shell) expansion will add to the existing fiasco at the Leucadia Blvd./Orpheus intersection at I-5.
Staff pulled some real humdingers pushing this project through and Gonzalez pushed the compliant council over the line with his predictable "I'll sue" hysteria.
It wasn't until a visibly disheveled Kranz blurted out at the end of the meeting after voting to approve the project "but we'll get sued!" So while Gonzalez sort of kept himself in check during the meeting, there is no doubt in my mind, even watching from home, that Gonzalez had put the screws to all five. Kranz, ever the developer's willing errand boy, disclosed he'd met with Gonzalez in person. Hinze said she talked with him for 10 minutes to "get answers to my questions." No doubt Blakespear told Hinze that Gonzalez was a good source for truth in reporting.
Hubbard never opened her mouth and Hinze pretended to care - a little. She's still under the watchful eye of Dictator Blakespear and can't step too far out of line, after all.
Mosca practically sat in staff's lap as he helped them explain how they decided to apply what sounded like nothing from the city code.
What a night for democracy! Blakespear and her cronies voted unanimously to pack the commissions with more "complete streets" cycling nuts and a developer to take Hubbard's place on the Planning Commission.
The fix is in, folks. Get used it: bend over, and as Hubbard says, you'll even thank her later for it.
Ha, before anyone starts complaining why don't one of the wronged residents run? Trust me, there were 15-20 pissed off people outside arranging exactly that.
ReplyDeleteenjoy while you can, phony tony! Did anyone else think he was plastered?
His Davy Crockett wig did seem askew. Hey Tony, why so hard to get your words out tonight?
DeleteTony's best friends are the drinking establishments and developers!
DeleteLooks like he got an early start tonight....
DeleteHe appeared on screen at least to be leaning over a lot. His commission appointment comments were hard to follow. Those single-syllable words will trip you up every time!
DeleteWas Catherine's mommy a no show or did she turn up as rumor had it and and whine about someone blocking her view.
ReplyDeleteAnyone? Anyone?
This will go down as the most pro-growth council we have EVER had! I'm embrassed for supporting many of them.
ReplyDeleteLast time whinny NIMBYs were all about the car wash and the dryer noise (even though the roar of I-5 is feet away).
ReplyDeleteNow the proposal comes back without the car wash. Are the NIMBYs happy? Of course not!
No to everything! Obstruct!
Shaddup, Marco. You may have gotten a win for your client, but you embarrassed yourself. What's new?
DeleteIt's amazing how you throw shit out and wait to see what sticks. When you're called out as a liar, you don't even flinch...just continue the spew.
lol, 11:41 is a Gupta (chevron owner). He's not going to get any support from this community and word will get out - widely.
DeleteTony can be his loyal Leucadia customer.
11:41 - Gupta, Gonzalez, whatever - the "roar" of I5 is out your back door, not the rest of the neighbors. Guess you don't travel our streets much. Scared?
DeleteNow the proposal comes back without a car wash, but with a restaurant. Hands down Blakepear's most idiotic comment of the night: "This time no car wash!"
No to this Mira Mesa clone, not everything. Just this cheap-looking Mira Mesa clone.
Allow me to punch your Tough Shit Card.
DeleteCollect 10 punches, win a brand new card.
The gas station cares more about freeway customers than the locals anyway. Anything the owner would have proposed would have been fought by the neighbors. Why, because he's not a decent person. I speak from experience.
DeleteAgree with the last bit, but it's actually not true that "anything" would be fought.
DeleteGupta received input that a design along the lines of Berryman Brothers. Greg Drakos when on the Planning Commission told them look for mid-century modern and took time to explain what he meant. Neighbors would not have fought anything even remotely resembling either suggestion.
Nope, the Guptas wanted Mira Mesa2 and that's what they got. They're going to have to depend on freeway customers, because the neighborhood hates them. And as far as the freeway folks, well - Yelp can be a powerful tool.
In the end though he's not decent and that will bite him in the ass every time.
When do I get to come over and tell you whether the architecture on your property is okay or not?
DeleteOr should I just mind my own fucking business?
Yeah, see we have these annoying things in Encinitas called "Design Guidelines" that are supposed to be followed.
DeleteAnd the Gupta asked for input, so...back to sleep, 12:17.
Guideline, Wikipedia: "A guideline is a statement by which to determine a course of action. A guideline aims to streamline particular processes according to a set routine or sound practice. By definition, following a guideline is never mandatory. Guidelines are not binding and are not enforced."
DeleteThanks for your input.
Goody for you, looking it up on Wikipedia.
DeleteProjects have often been turned back because they ran afoul of the guidelines. So despite the benign-sounding name, they actually do have teeth if applied. But that's a big "if." This station owner had his project denied twice at the PC and once by council over your "not binding" guidelines.
Again, back to sleep.
We have been swindled. What is the difference between a market aned a QSR?
ReplyDeleteBoth can sell bags of potato chips and cookies. Both can sell apples and packaged sandwiches. A market can have a service deli and a QSR could also be a service deli and a service deli can sell both hot and cold food items.
So there is no difference and what we are getting is a 3000+ square foot market with a partition, all under the same ownership.
One of the speakers revealed that the last proposal denied totaled 3,038 square feet. This time the applicant split the building into two uses: restaurant and market, totaling...wait for it...3,038 square feet.
DeleteThis is our council in bed with an attorney and developer who got a compliant staff to figure out how to make it work so the council might pretend that this project is different than the one they denied last year.
Last night was a swindle of residents, by the city.
Marco promised "farm to table." Um, isn't that a restaurant?
DeleteMarco should be disbarred.
ReplyDeleteHaha, Phony Tony finally surfaces at 9:52. He - just - cannot - help - himself.
ReplyDeleteWe, Leucadians need to contact our district representative for assistance. Oh yeah, that would be Kranz. The one who fought and approved all the new development in Leucadia.
ReplyDeleteTony is the new Mikey (Cereal Kid). If you don't like it, give it to Mikey, he'll take it.
ReplyDeleteHe's been this way since he got on council and turned coat. If a developer's involved, he'll take it.
DeleteI can't feel sorry for Leucadia, they elected him.
ReplyDeleteExcept they didn't. Phony Tony was not up for election in the recent district elections.
DeleteMany in Leucadia still thought he was a good local boy when he was last elected. He would not get reelected today.
If he runs again next year, who will run against him and beat him?
ReplyDeleteCandidate already lined up. With his anti-resident voting record - Chevron being the latest, he can't make any claim except to being the developers' lap dog.
DeleteAnd trust me, our neighborhoods have built a communications network out of necessity that WILL get the word out.
Better start laying plans for your next career, Phony - you are going home.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, we've heard that before. Just like when you were going to take out Catherine with JP. How did that work for you? Don't worry Tony, it's only a small group in Leucadia that constantly complain about everything. Like Susan Turney and her freakie Husband.
DeleteAmong other lies, Tony stated and it was reported in the newspaper that he had graduated with a BA, but he actually admitted that he dropped out without graduating. At least Jerome Stocks spent some money and purchased a diploma from a diploma mill.
DeleteTony thinks that by being beholden to the developers that they will take care of him. Guess again, Tony.
Take out Catherine with JP? I don't think that was an actual plan involving motivated residents.
DeleteBetween Tony losing his shit on the Beacon's staircase, his weird behavior on Streetscape not wanting to narrow a lane now "because people will find out it backs up" and his vote this week on the Chevron, he's making a name for himself all over his district.
Worry Tony, worry.
Not worried, Susan!
Deletevery colorful commentating
ReplyDeleteIf U weren't, U shoulda been there.
DeleteDuring the Chevron appeal Mayor Blakespear spent the whole time with her head down and scribbling. Obviously she was not listening to the public comments. When it came time for council discussion only Mosca and Hinze asked some feeble questions. Blakespear read her scribbling to make the motion to deny the appeal. Her minions quickly fell in line behind her and voted to support her motion of denial.
ReplyDeleteIn spite of Planner Anna Yentile's admission that the "Quick Service Restaurant" category is not included in the zoning matrix of the Municipal Code, there was still a unanimous decision to approve the project. It was painfully apparent that the decision had been made before the hearing even started.
The zoning code is woefully out of date. As new development concepts appear, the staff looks for similarity to other definitions and their requirements that can be applied to the new concept. The concept of the QSR is that it acts like retail. Unlike a regular restaurant where most patrons consume the food onsite, thus creating a higher demand for parking, a QSR serves all food to go with no onsite consumption. That's like an individual retail store where you go in, select the merchandise for purchase and leave.
DeleteWhatevah, marco. Deal with today's code. woefuly out of date is not code.
DeleteThanks, but I'm not Marco. The property is zoned Visitor Serving Commercial (VSC) which allows restaurants. The use isn't the issue. A QSR has restaurant in the name. The issue was the parking requirements. So would you be okay with the project if it had more parking spaces?
DeleteFollow the code. QSR has quick in its name. big whoopdie-doo as marco said. Planning staff didn't use existing code for a reason. Would you be ok with the project doing that? If not, why don't you want to follow the law?
DeleteAh, the old avoid an answer by asking a question instead. You didn't answer which leaves me to assume you're against the project no matter what and are using the zoning code as an excuse. The use definitions in the zoning code are general and try to fit multiple types of examples. The reason is to identify the type of activity allowed and the requirements for that activity.
DeleteTo your question, yes, as long as staff can show how the activity proposed is similar to other defined uses. Besides, QSR is a new term being used by the industry which is not yet an agreed upon land use term. The Subway across the street is, in effect, a QSR because they aren't allowed to have tables, only take-out (yes, I'm aware they've been sited for breaking that).
Answer: had the project required restaurant parking for this "farm to table" project, I would not have opposed it. I live too far away for restaurant parking in front of my house, but I do walk that way and don't look forward to the street congestion.
DeleteThe use definitions are not general as much as staff would love you to think they are. Again, no reason not to use existing code. Making one up simply doesn't pass the sniff test. "Industry" terms don't matter. Code does. You seem to be having difficulty digesting this concept.
And the Subway has yet to be cited, so...excuse the neighbors if they have zero faith the Chevron owner will be reined in when he violates his agreement. This city is all about its developers and businesspeople.
This will come up at election time for Hinze and Kranz, neither of whom lifted a finger for their district residents. Unless you count the middle one.
2:08 PM
DeleteI guess I wasn't clear when I said "QSR is a new term used by the industry which is not yet an agreed upon land use term". I agree industry terms don't matter. They come and go. For example, you won't find "fast food restaurant" in the zoning code use definitions. That's because it falls under "drive in or drive through restaurant". You will find both "drug store" and "pharmacy" in the use matrix but they differ slightly where they are allowed and if a use permit is required. So what differentiates a pharmacy from a drug store? Neither are included in the use definitions. You presume our zoning code has more precise use definitions then it actually does. Most of these definitions are from the original adopted zoning code in 1989. You see, I don't have any problem with the concept.
So you have no problem with staff coming up with a new designation not found in our municipal code's zoning use matrix, the city's Bible for land use, claiming it has "no guidelines," admitting it doesn't exist, yet applying it?
DeleteIf so, you be part of the problem. Your name doesn't happen to be Anna or Roy, does it? Brenda, perhaps? Gupta?
6:33 PM
DeleteNone of the above, sorry.
Current zoning demanded that this excuse for another 1,000 sq ft not share a common wall. It needed to be separated from the mini market to be allowable.
ReplyDeleteZoning be damned. How many other entities would such an action past muster?
Apparently, it is who you know that allows zoning to not matter. How convenient!
Both Marco and the traffic engineer minimized the traffic increase. The owner is expecting a much bigger increase in order to make the expansion profitable. Marco said that the restaurant would feature locally baked bread and fresh organic produce and be an asset to the neighborhood. But then he let slip that it would also feature farm to table. TABLES???? There aren't supposed to be any tables, only take out. Add in the liquor license the owner will be applying for in the next round, the anticipated success will blow the increased traffic predictions out of the water, dumping more cars into an already overloaded intersection.
ReplyDeleteLeucadians! If your representative is alright with this project, then so be it!
ReplyDeleteEncinitans! If your mayor is alright with this project, you'd better learn to like it - you're next! Blakespear led the others down the line to do this to Leucadia. 11:31, you're next!
DeleteBlakespear too tight with Gonzalez...they all are...he calls the shots and they dance.
ReplyDeleteOverheard at the library this afternoon: Surfrider cut ties with Gonzalez because he was too aggressive, sued too much, and scared away donors. Makes sense.
ReplyDeleteHe likes to say he doesn't do work for them any longer like he had a choice, leaving out the part about getting the pointed boot.
I don't care whether Marco left on his own or was pushed out by Surfrider but acting like you have solid evidence because you overheard a discussion at the library is pretty lame. Is that the standard for information here at EU? I hope not.
DeleteThis info turned out to be from a current SR member who used to live in Solana Beach and had a seat front and center.
DeleteOr you can go with Marco's version.
So apt from the Guerrilla for this thread:
ReplyDeleteCaptain John Maryon of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department North Coastal Station has declared Encinitas City Hall a crime scene.
“It’s unprecedented that a station captain would declare a crime scene at a City Hall where the sheriff’s department is under contract,” said Maryon. “But the council and staff continue to so egregiously violate the public will that the crime scene declaration had to be made.”
Maryon cited the norms of the democratic form of government.
“We see this now in Washington,” he said. “Rather than following the will of the majority, the president and Senate cater to a vocal minority and monied special interests. Same in Encinitas where the City Council and staff ignore the public will and favor the few. That’s a fundamental crime against democracy.
“What makes it worse,” he said, “is the self-righteousness and hypocrisy of the City Council and staff who claim to be doing the people’s business. It’s enough to make a uniformed officer sick to his or her stomach. Sheriff’s deputies are sworn to serve and protect the public. By declaring Encinitas City Hall a crime scene, I’m doing my duty to protect citizens from their local government.”