City Report: Debate over Oceanside housing rules puts city at crossroads

Owen Pratt • January 5, 2024

The Golden State is facing an unprecedented housing crisis. The problem is vast, and finding a solid solution can seem impossible. To understand this, we’ll be looking over Oceanside’s recent inclusionary housing amendment to see how it plays a role in what’s happening.

City Report: Housing density, warehouse project in spotlight

Owen Pratt • November 1, 2023

Downtown Oceanside development has recently been limited by the City Council, undoing a 4-year old policy change. Meanwhile, a controversial warehouse project has people upset over traffic problems, lack of transparency and possible environmental hazards.

EDITORIAL: San Diego County: ‘No’ on Measure B; ‘yes’ on Measure A

North Coast Current • February 25, 2020

Measure B supporters note that 60% of Newland Sierra housing would be affordably priced for the working class. But assuming it’s built, what would that “affordable” price be at completion given the continuing rise in prices, up 8% over the past year alone? Moreover, what’s their definition of “working class?”

EDITORIAL: Community character, experience lead endorsement picks

North Coast Current • November 6, 2016

The North Coast Current’s editorial leadership suggests the following candidates for several Nov. 8 races affecting the city of Encinitas. The nature of this year’s local campaign reflects some of what we’ve seen nationally, with preferred candidates taking positions on issues that are at odds with other aspects that make those candidates appealing.

EDITORIAL: ‘No’ on Encinitas Measure T

North Coast Current • November 1, 2016

The North Coast Current urges a “no” vote on Measure T for one reason: It’s time to call the state of California out on its misguided approach to shoving high-density development down communities’ throats.

EDITORIAL: Vote ‘no’ on county Measure B

North Coast Current • October 20, 2016

San Diego County residents will vote Nov. 8 on a landmark proposal that could change the face of rural inland communities in favor of big development, using the initiative process to push a single builder’s vision.

EDITORIAL: Vote ‘no’ on Carlsbad Measure A

North Coast Current • February 19, 2016

When the Carlsbad City Council and developer Caruso Affiliated used the initiative process to push for a shopping mall in 2015, they touted it as “open space the right way” through a measure they had...

COMMENTARY: Finding story of Nemo highlights concerns over Caruso plan

Richard Riehl • February 18, 2016

A billionaire Los Angeles developer came to town planning to transform one of Carlsbad’s three lagoons into a magnet for tourist dollars. After winning the approval of local officials, he encountered...

COMMENTARY: What do Carlsbad leaders have to fear from referendum?

Richard Riehl • September 13, 2015

Caruso Affiliated’s latest glossy mailer features the smiling faces of the five City Council members who voted unanimously to approve the developer’s plan to build a Strawberry Fields mall. Directly...

Point of View: Call ‘85/15’ what it is, and let Carlsbad vote on it

Roman S. Koenig • September 6, 2015

There is no such thing as a shopping mall in harmony with nature. No matter what slick pseudo-campaign advertising tells you, such development is not in harmony with its environment. Yet that’s what...

LETTER: Encinitas has no room for unending growth

February 22, 2015

Re: Mr. Koenig’s piece on the state housing density mandate. As a 34-year Encinitas resident who helped write the current general plan in the late 1980s, I have been following the housing density...

Point of View: Housing mandate could doom Encinitas by design

Roman S. Koenig • February 8, 2015

“Community character” is a phrase that’s been batted about for months as Encinitas debates the shape of its state-mandated Housing Element, a plan that requires an accounting of how the city is going...