2nd Hearing Granted on San Dieguito Tracts

California Coastal Commission members voted, 9-1, Tuesday to allow San Diego County one last chance to seek density increases on three San Dieguito tracts before a June 3 vote on incorporation of the four-city area.

The decision sets the stage for another showdown between local San Dieguito growth-control forces and county officials over the increased residential densities. Local opponents seek to halt approval of the county-sponsored changes, arguing that larger numbers of residences on three San Dieguito sites will cause traffic congestion.

Commissioners agreed Tuesday to hear the issue again as soon as possible, probably at the May meeting of the state agency, scheduled to be held in San Diego.

The three coastal plan amendments, which include a 93-acre tract around the county’s Quail Botanical Gardens near Encinitas Boulevard and Interstate 5, and two smaller residential projects, were turned down by the commission at its Dec. 17 meeting after a marathon hearing in which opponents cited county traffic studies indicating that the changes would worsen traffic congestion.

All five San Diego County supervisors signed a plea to the Coastal Commission to waive the six-month waiting period required for a new hearing, citing “flawed” traffic studies and promising to provide more accurate traffic data.

The supervisors argued that the Quail Gardens property’s owners had not received a fair hearing by the commission on the rezoning proposals because of “the doubts instilled” by inaccuracies in the traffic studies.

Coastal Commission Chairman Michael Wornum warned county officials several times Tuesday that their action in pressing for an early hearing could encourage voters to favor incorporation.

Bill Healy, deputy planning director, said that a San Diego-based consulting firm--Urban Systems Associates--is preparing a third San Dieguito circulation and traffic study, which will be ready by March 20. Copies of the report are to be given to the Coastal Commission’s staff March 21, he said.

Paul Webb, coastal planner in charge of the San Dieguito projects, said his staff recommended that the commission deny the county’s request for an early hearing. Several commissioners who voted Tuesday to waive the waiting period said their vote did not indicate that they favor the higher-density developments but rather believe that they should grant the request as a matter of courtesy.

Gerald Steel, spokesmen for opposing San Dieguito residents, said he was disappointed that the commission had granted an early hearing but was encouraged that the session would be in San Diego.

“We marshalled 45 people for the last hearing in San Francisco, and I can promise that we will have a sizable crowd at the San Diego hearing,” Steel said.