SAN MARCOS — A controversial 31-unit condominium project in San Elijo Hills is getting a second chance after the developer appealed the Planning Commission’s rejection of the application, sending the proposal to the City Council for further review.
Rob Honer, principal of Encinitas-based Ambient Communities, wrote in an email that the firm filed the appeal with the city Thursday morning, the last day it could be filed.
“After digesting the feedback from the Planning Commission and re-reviewing the proposed project, we still feel strongly that the proposed 3- and 4-story building with 20 one-bedroom and 11 two-bedroom units and elevator access is the right project for this property,” Honer wrote. “It is in scale with other existing buildings in the Town Center, has the lowest traffic impact of any potential use on the property and is constructed in a fire-safe construction type.
“We’re looking forward to presenting the project at City Council.”
An overflow crowd attended the Oct. 5 Planning Commission hearing, with most speakers opposing the project. Ambient wants to build the condominiums on a wedge-shaped parcel where San Elijo Road splits into two one-way roadways, southwest of the Albertsons grocery store.
At the conclusion of the nearly four-hour hearing, the commission voted 4-2 to deny Ambient’s application.
In response to the appeal, Jamie Salter, an organizer of the residents’ opposition group, Consider SEH Voices, sent an email that read in part:
“The residents of San Elijo Hills urge the City Council to uphold the Planning Commission’s October 5 denial of the San Elijo Hills Town Center Multifamily project, based on the safety concerns and supporting evidence presented at the hearing.
“We are working with specialists to gather and submit additional evidence and data addressing wildfire evacuation, traffic safety and emergency access. Our central question remains: Can this project be safely accommodated at this location?”
City staff recommended approving the project, noting that it met the requirements of the state’s density bonus law, which is intended to encourage residential development across California.
At the Planning Commission meeting, Punam Prahalad, a member of the city attorney’s team, cautioned commissioners that the city likely lacks the authority to deny the project under current state law.
