DEL MAR — The Del Mar City Council agreed to allow increased density in the city’s central commercial zone and on specific city-owned lots this week, implementing another crucial program of the city’s 6th Cycle Housing Element.
The changes allow a density of up to 20 dwelling units per acre in the central commercial zone along Camino Del Mar and the public facilities zone, including two city-owned lots at 10th and 28th streets. These changes will only apply to multi-unit residential developments, including units for low- and low-income households.
The action on April 1 continued from a previous meeting on March 18, when the council could not reach the needed consensus of a four-vote supermajority after a lengthy discussion. Mayor Dave Druker was recused because he lives within 500 feet of the proposed changes, and Councilmember Terry Gaasterland said she needed more information before she could vote in favor.
Council members narrowly met the state Housing and Urban Development Department’s deadline on Monday by voting 4-0 to approve the regulations. Had they not passed it, the city would have risked having its Housing Element de-certified.
“It’s a very real risk for a city like Del Mar to not meet the deadlines and timelines we have set in our Housing Element,” said Councilmember Dan Quirk.
A significant concern for Gaasterland and other council members was whether developers in the central commercial zone might try to circumvent height limits via density bonus law, changing the city’s character and blocking scenic views.
However, city staff assured the council that height limits are currently protected within the city’s Local Coastal Program. They also added language to the ordinance stating that housing would not be allowed at Shores Park, another lot within the public facilities zone, which was another concern.
Gaasterland said she was worried that future state legislation might increase the power of the state density bonus law over the Coastal Act but that, for now, she was satisfied with these protections.
“My concern is that we be able to hold the line on our Local Coastal Program and its protection of heights,” said Gaasterland. “I’m now ready to vote yes on this.”
Councilmember Tracy Martinez said she was also grateful for the local safeguards, but it still hurt to see the city changing due to housing laws.
“This is really difficult, and I think I can speak for all of us. I don’t agree with a lot of these housing laws, although I do agree with affordable housing,” Martinez said. “I think our town has been hit exceptionally hard because we’re very small and we’ve upzoned every part of our town.”
The changes won’t go into effect until the California Coastal Commission approves them, which could take more than a year, according to Principal Planner Amanda Lee.
State of the city
At the same meeting, Druker also presented a brief State of the City address, during which he publicly announced that he would not be running for re-election to the council in November.
Druker is one of three council members, along with Martinez and Quirk, whose general seat will be up for election this year. He has served the council for over twenty years.
Druker emphasized to his colleagues the importance of being a voice for the whole city, working with staff, being a check and balance between citizens and staff, and working with outside agencies to ensure the city has a seat at the table.
“I’m not going to be here in seven months. It’s up to you all to continue the tradition,” he said. “As council members, we will lose battles among ourselves and outside, but we will work better when we come up with decisions that we all agree on, or mostly agree on.”
The mayor also highlighted several city accomplishments from the past couple of years—reaching a negotiating agreement with the Del Mar Fairgrounds regarding affordable housing (pending approval from the state), making progress on undergrounding utilities, and achieving financial security after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Looking ahead, Druker said the city needs to continue focusing on housing on the fairgrounds, moving the train tracks off the fragile bluff, and protecting the city from sea-level rise.
