ENCINITAS — The Planning Commission approved plans to demolish and reconstruct a brand-new building for American Legion Post 416.
On Aug. 1, commissioners unanimously approved a major use, design review and coastal development permit, along with a variance to demolish the three existing one-story structures at 210 W. F St. and construct a new two-story building.
Commissioner Robert Prendergast was absent from the meeting
The requested variance increases the project’s floor area ratio from 0.65 to 0.84, which is about a 1,000-foot difference beyond the maximum required for the zoned area, according to Associate Planner Fran Carr.
The new building has been planned for some time. In 2019, a public meeting was held to discuss what to do with the nearly century-old structure, which was constructed in 1935.
According to Steve Lewandowski, a former Navy officer and CEO of the American Legion Post 416 Foundation, the organization is the oldest continuously operating business in the city. With over 800 members, Post 416 contributes over 50,000 hours of community service annually.
“We’re inextricably interwoven into the fabric of this wonderful community, and we wish to be for the next 100 years,” Lewandowski told the commission.
For Legion and community members, the need for a new home sooner rather than later became alarmingly clear after a wall collapsed earlier this year, exposing the aging building to passersby on 2nd Street.
The post has hired its neighbor Bart Smith of DZN Architects to design the new building.
The new two-story building will have more than 4,200 square feet of space and will feature muted red, white and blue tones through its exterior sandstone, blue metal paneling and stucco materials.
Lewandowski noted that the region has approximately 34,895 veterans. With a bigger building, the club could connect with many more veterans beyond its current 800 members.
A bigger building will also help the club provide space to other service organizations like the Community Resource Center. The American Legion plans to take over intake procedures for veterans seeking CRC assistance.
The new building will also improve insulation, add air conditioning and reduce noise pollution from the older building.
Planning Commission Chair Steve Dalton said the American Legion is “one of the more tangible ways citizens in our community are brought close to veterans.”
“I think the design is nice – it’s an attractive building,” Dalton said about the new building. “I look forward to seeing your building rise up and serve the community.”
