Lawsuit against city in bluff collapse can proceed

Fox 5:

A lawsuit filed against the city of Encinitas, the state and a local homeowners’ association following a deadly 2019 bluff collapse will move ahead after a recent motion to dismiss the case was denied.

The fatal bluff collapse killed three people: Encinitas residents Julie Davis, 65; her 35-year-old daughter, Anne Clave; and Davis’ 62-year-old sister, Elizabeth Charles of San Francisco. Family members announced the lawsuit last fall while also calling on legislators to support a bill aimed at preventing future coastal bluff collapses.

A judge recently sided with the family after a motion was filed to dismiss the case on the grounds of “natural condition immunity.”

“The natural condition immunity says that if a city or a state only opens up access to a public space they’re not going to be subject to suit,” said Bibi Fell, one of the attorneys for the Davis family. “The difference here is that the city and the state didn’t just open up a natural space.”

Fell argues the city changed, developed and built on the land, decisions she says made the area less safe.

You ain't seen crazy yet

VOSD:

Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez, who’d been running for secretary of state for more than a year, announced this week she’ll seek re-election to the Assembly in 2022. “I’ve decided I’ve been way too cautious, too filtered and too guarded for the past 7 years,” she wrote on Twitter. Gonzalez is already one of the most provocative and unguarded lawmakers in California politics, so it’s hard to even picture what a less filtered, more aggressive posture might look like for her.

Cardiff development appeal tomorrow night

From the Inbox:

Dear Encinitas Undercover: 

Tomorrow night (1/20/21) at 6 p.m., the City Council will determine whether Cardiff will remain small and beachy.

Click the Link to access the City Council Agenda for tomorrow night's 6 pm meeting via Zoom showing Item 10 (Newcastle Place project appeal).

https://encinitas.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=7&event_id=2979

The proposed Newcastle Place project is significantly taller than the Town Center (West), the adjacent New Balance building (North), the existing 1-story old post office (to be demolished), the existing 2-story Dental building (to be demolished) and the Library (South).

Councilwoman Hubbard resigns

 U-T:

Encinitas Councilwoman Jody Hubbard, who has represented the Cardiff region for two years, announced Wednesday night that she was resigning “effective immediately” because her lung cancer has spread.

We hope Hubbard recovers and wish her the best.

Mayor Blakespear is expected to appoint another acolyte rather than allowing a vote on a replacement.

Free Willy

... and no mask!

Priorities

 From the Inbox:

Source: https://www.sandag.org/uploads/projectid/projectid_604_28513.pdf

2021 SANDAG Regional Transportation Improvement Program

Figures are 2014 dollars.

Cardiff Coastal Rail Trail construction, Chesterfield to G Street: $6,885,000

Projected Coastal Rail Trail construction, G Street to Leucadia Boulevard: $4,763,000

Railroad grade separation at Leucadia Boulevard ranks 25 of 27 regional projects considered. Projected cost is $93 million. Trains per day: 51; traffic per day: 34,000.