Low-income families file federal suit over city's shady insider dealing

 Coast News:

Four Encinitas residents who applied for very-low-income homes have filed a federal lawsuit this morning against the City of Encinitas, developer Woodbridge Pacific Group and several “shell” companies alleging a coordinated effort to abuse the city’s affordable home program.

The complaint alleges the city approved the sales of two affordable homes — 1317 Portola Road and 1412 Mackinnon Avenue — to pre-determined, non-qualified investors instead of qualified, very-low-income applicants in violation of federal and state anti-discrimination fair housing laws.

We're going to love the discovery process!

9/29/21 City Council meeting open thread

 Please use the comments to record your observations.

Muirs, Shaffer leaving town?

This summer we learned that local politicians Maureen and Mark Muir were selling their Encinitas home and apparently leaving town, according to private detectives hired by the teachers' union.

Now we hear former councilwoman Lisa Shaffer has listed her home for sale, though it's unclear whether she plans to live elsewhere in the city she helped densify.

YIMBY-BIM: Yes In My Back Yard - Because I'm Moving!

9/22/21 City Council meeting open thread

 Please use the comments to record your observations.

Kranz considers opposing SB-9... after it's too late

A day after handily surviving the recall, Gov. Newsom signed SB-9 eliminating single-family neighborhoods.

From the Inbox:

For months, residents have been challenging and begging the council to join other California cities and take an official stance against state bills SB9 and SB10 to no avail.  The council remained steadfastly silent on these forced high-density housing bills that kill local control.  

Until now.  Kranz, a day late and untold millions in developer profits short, agendized as a council-initiated item for September 22 an "SB 9 Veto Request Letter."  Kranz's discussion will be held a week after Newsom signed his approval of the bill.  

Kranz is rumored to be planning a run for mayor in 2022 and appears to be doing so with his hands on the rear-view mirror.

Microsoft Word - COUNCIL INITATED ITEM SB 9 veto.docx (granicus.com)

Bill would allow 6 units on every lot

 Coast News:

SB 9, for example, allows any lot currently zoned R1 for a single home to be split in two, with two duplexes on each half. Add to each half a “granny” unit previously authorized by the state and you could have six units where there is now one. All without any affordability requirements.

The bill has passed the legislature and awaits Gov. Newsom's signature, which he's likely to provide after the recall is over.

Encinitas as we know it will be gone. But on the bright side, we'll all get rich selling our properties to developers and be able to move somewhere else.

UPDATE: I'm told Newsom must act (sign, veto, or pocket approve) by 9/12, two days ahead of the voting deadline. But enough mail votes will be in by then that he may feel safe allowing the bill to become law.

UPDATE 2: He gets until the day after the election. Watch out!

Did city violate rules in allowing sale of "low-income" unit to multimillionaire investor?

 Coast News commentary by Julie Graboi:

According to the June 21 Affordable Housing Agreement for Density Bonus, a qualifying developer of affordable homes is required to prove financial hardship in writing to sell to a non-qualified buyer as stipulated in paragraph 3F of the contract with the City.

A request for a copy of the written proof of developer hardship was not acknowledged, so there is no evidence that this procedure was followed.

Blakespear wants to ban natural gas in homes

 Blakespear's Facebook campaign page:

Where does she think electricity comes from?