OCEANSIDE
–
The Oceanside City Council will tackle a variety of issues when it meets Wednesday.
They include a disputed 158-unit condominium project, a proposal to allow a second taxicab company to operate in the city and raising rates that residents pay for trash pickup.
Twenty-nine residents signed a petition asking the council to reverse a decision by the city Planning Commission to approve construction of a condominium project called Oceanpointe on 36 acres off Stage Coach Road and San Ramon Drive.
Most opponents are residents of the neighboring Oceana or Mission Vista communities.
The petition says Oceanpointe will take away the panoramic views that Mission Vista residents now enjoy.
City Planner Jerry Hittleman said in a staff report to the council that the project's three-story buildings will not be all that visible above the street. Hittleman also noted that Oceanside does not have a law protecting private views.
The petition asks the council to “assist the developer in finding a nature conservancy to buy the land so that endangered and sensitive species can be protected in perpetuity.”
Hittleman said more than half the site already is maintained as permanent open space.
As for the taxicabs, Oceanside long has granted an exclusive franchise to one company, Yellow Cab of North County.
City revenue manager Sheri Brown recommended granting a five-year franchise for up to 64 cabs to 24/7 Yellow Cab of Orange County, saying competition could provide better service.
Rates are similar, so price competition is not an issue, Brown said.
The council also will consider whether to increase trash-collection fees by 1.5 percent, which would add 35 cents to homeowners' bills. The total bill would be $23.21.
Management analyst Colleen Foster said the city's contract with its trash hauler requires annual increases based on the Consumer Price Index, which calls for a 2.3 percent increase. City funds will make up the difference, Foster said.
The council meets at 5 p.m. Wednesday in chambers at 300 N. Coast Highway.
Lola Sherman: (760) 476-8241; lola.sherman@uniontrib.com
