DEL MAR — The City Council will meet in closed session Tuesday to discuss the 22nd District Agricultural Association board’s recent decision to terminate affordable housing negotiations with the city.
Leading up to the meeting, a flurry of letters has been exchanged among the city, the 22nd DAA board — the state agency that oversees the Del Mar Fairgrounds — and a local landowner who has proposed Seaside Ridge, a 259-unit mixed-income housing project at 959 Border Avenue on the city’s North Bluff.
Mayor Tracy Martinez sent a letter on Aug. 21 on behalf of the city asking the board to reconsider its Aug. 18 vote, claiming the board based its decision on inaccurate information.
On Monday, the law firm representing property owner Carol Lazier sent a letter to the City Council demanding that the city halt any attempt to implement zoning changes that would prevent Lazier from developing two parcels with affordable housing for low-income families.
The letter also argues that state housing laws require the city to zone the properties in a way that would allow Lazier’s proposed developments to move forward.
Lazier sent a separate letter to the City Council making the same argument.
Becky Bartling, CEO of the 22nd DAA, told The Coast News by email Monday afternoon that “there has been no further consideration of putting the item back on a future agenda.”
The dispute comes weeks after the city asked the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to investigate potential connections among 22nd DAA board member Mark Arabo, Seaside Ridge adviser Brian Guiltinian and state Attorney General Rob Bonta.
Arabo and Seaside Ridge representatives denied any wrongdoing, calling the city’s allegations unfounded.
The special closed-session meeting is scheduled for 3:15 p.m. Tuesday at Del Mar Town Hall and will conclude before the council’s regular meeting at 4:30 p.m. The city attorney is expected to report any action taken during the closed session at the beginning of the regular meeting.
