VISTA: The Vista City Council cut 264 acres Tuesday from a proposed 1,945-acre expansion of its redevelopment area because five sites – two residential neighborhoods, a commercial strip and two rural lots – likely would not meet a state standard of economic blight.
In November, the council proposed expanding the redevelopment area from 19 percent of the city to about 37 percent. The proposed expansion includes the predominantly low-income Townsite neighborhood near downtown and the South Santa Fe Avenue corridor.
A nine-member board, the Project Area Committee, is reviewing the expansion and will advise the City Council before it votes in July on the final redevelopment boundaries.
City officials have touted expanding the redevelopment district to raise money for struggling residential areas. Some property owners are fighting the inclusion, but they fear eminent domain. –R.R.
Report blasts plan
for shopping center
OCEANSIDE: A proposal for one of the largest shopping centers in Oceanside would bring traffic to already crowded streets and is incompatible with a draft of a habitat conservation plan, an environmental report says.
Still, the project is favored by city officials, who want the upscale stores it promises.
Thomas Enterprises of Georgia plans to build the center, The Pavilion at Oceanside, on the site of the former Valley Drive In theaters in the north-central part of the city. Proposed are 950,000 square feet of commercial development on 92 acres at state Route 76 and Foussat Road.
A big-box and boutique center with Target as an anchor are planned, as well as a health club and multiplex movie theater.
Thomas has said the project would be similar to its Forum development in Carlsbad. Oceanside residents long have complained about the lack of such higher-end shopping in the city.
The environmental report, written by the city and a private consultant, was made available to the public Monday, but no recommendations are offered. Public comments can be made to the Planning Department, 300 N. Coast Highway, Oceanside. –L.S.
Charter measure
backed by chamber
CARLSBAD: The Chamber of Commerce board has voted to support Proposition D, the city's proposal to adopt a charter.
A charter gives cities more authority over some municipal affairs, freeing them from some state laws that apply to general-law cities.
“Allowing Carlsbad to be a charter city will allow more local control and has the potential to save the city millions of dollars in public improvements,” chamber board Chairman Lou Storrow said in a statement.
Carlsbad City Council members have said a charter will give the city more flexibility over contracting for construction projects.
The proposed charter is on the June 3 ballot.
The chamber board is composed of 30 local businesses and six members of the community. – M.B.
Location selected
for veterans clinic
OCEANSIDE: City officials announced this week that an Oceanside location has been chosen by the federal government for a new veterans clinic.
Jane McVey, economic and community-development director, said a site has been picked in the Seagate Business Park off Rancho del Oro Drive north of Oceanside Boulevard.
The Department of Veterans Affairs advertised for a site in August 2006. The federal agency was looking for a 63,000-square-foot space to lease for 20 years in Oceanside, Carlsbad, Vista or San Marcos.
A small clinic exists in Vista now, but many patients have had to go to the VA hospital in La Jolla for services. –L.S.
Firefighters union
endorses Kulchin
CARLSBAD: The Carlsbad firefighters union has endorsed Councilwoman Ann Kulchin for re-election in November.
The Carlsbad Firefighters Association said it has not decided on whom it would back for the second of the two seats that will be on the ballot, but its members like Kulchin.
“Ann has always been behind public safety and supporting our firefighters,” union President Rick Fisher said in a statement.
In 2006 the firefighters union backed a challenger to Mayor Bud Lewis in an emotional contest and supported a ballot initiative that City Council members opposed. –M.B.
Fundraiser's theme
a nod to Tinseltown
OCEANSIDE: The North County Humane Society and SPCA will host a Paws to Celebrate fundraiser Saturday.
The fundraiser will be a 1930s Hollywood-themed gala at the new Sheraton Carlsbad Resort & Spa. The evening includes a mystery dinner theater, and silent and live auctions.
For information or to buy a ticket, go to nchumane.org or call (800) 450-9950.
The private, nonprofit humane society has a shelter in Oceanside that handles 7,000 animals annually and provides animal-control services for Oceanside and Vista. –J.L.
Staff writers Rick Rogers, Lola Sherman, Michael Burge and Janet Lavelle contributed to this report.
