HOA has offered to buy property to forestall project
SAN MARCOS — Ambient Communities’ appeal of the rejection of a 31-unit, three- to five-story condo project proposed for San Elijo Hills will be heard by the San Marcos City Council on Nov. 10.
An Ambient spokesman confirmed the date in an email to The Coast News. The city typically does not post agendas until 72 hours before a meeting.
The project was rejected by the Planning Commission at its Oct. 5 meeting, with a divided panel voting 4-2 to deny the proposal. San Elijo Hills residents opposed to the project filled the council chambers and an overflow area that night to express concerns about fire evacuation routes, pedestrian safety near two schools and traffic impacts.
The final motion to deny the project cited written and oral testimony from residents as reasons the project was inappropriate for the location.
The project is proposed for a wedge-shaped parcel where San Elijo Road splits into two one-way roadways, directly west of San Elijo Middle School. The half-acre site would have 20 one-bedroom units and 11 two-bedroom units, including six units designated for low-income residents. A small first-floor parking garage would provide 10 spaces, with another 11 spaces in a lot.
City staff recommended approving the project, finding it met state density bonus law requirements. A representative of the city attorney’s office also warned commissioners that the city likely lacks the authority to block the development under new state housing laws that have limited local agencies’ planning authority. If the City Council upholds the Planning Commission’s decision, the city could face state sanctions.
Staff also told planning commissioners that, in addition to satisfying state requirements, the project conformed to the site’s zoning, the city’s general plan and fire safety requirements.
The Oct. 5 Planning Commission meeting was frequently interrupted by boos and jeers directed at Ambient representatives, as well as officials from the city’s Fire Department and the San Marcos Sheriff’s Station who were answering commissioners’ questions.
Consider SEH Voices, the community group that has led opposition to this project, said after the meeting that it had asked attendees to be courteous and was disappointed by the outbursts. At one point, Planning Commission Chair Lionel Saulsberry threatened to have deputies remove an attendee if he continued disrupting the meeting.
Jamie Salter, one of the leaders of Consider SEH Voices, said the group is asking residents to attend the Nov. 10 council meeting to again show their opposition to the project. The group also asked attendees to refrain from interrupting speakers.
In an email to The Coast News, Salter shared a statement from Consider SEH Voices: “Nearly 3,500 people have signed our petition raising safety concerns about this project. For many residents, particularly those who have experienced wildfire evacuations or lost their homes in previous wildfires, this issue is deeply personal and emotional. We encourage residents to attend the November 10 hearing.
“Ambient’s representatives, City officials and every public speaker deserve the opportunity to speak without interruption. Our strongest contribution is clear evidence, thoughtful testimony and respectful participation.”
In a parallel development, The Coast News learned this week that the San Elijo Hills homeowners association has offered to purchase the parcel from Ambient Communities. Ambient confirmed receiving the offer.
Rob Honer, principal of Ambient Communities, described the meetings with the HOA as “pleasant.”
“The HOA made an offer to purchase the property about a year ago; however, the total purchase price was well below market, and it was structured where the majority of the purchase price was paid in installments over 10 years,” Honer wrote in an email to The Coast News.
“We’ve told the HOA representatives that we are open to selling the property to anyone, including the HOA, if an offer is made at market value with reasonable terms. We also discussed how we can’t stop our planning process to wait for such an offer because we don’t know if it will ever come. Our plan is to obtain the approvals, complete the construction drawings and build the project; that said, we will remain open to selling the land, even after the project is approved, should the right offer be made.”
