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 no intention of ever seeing on a ballot. Now — as it should be — residents have the opportunity...

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 a group of protesters bent on preserving the lagoon the right way. No, that’s not the story of...

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 below the beaming politicians is the plea, “Don’t let outside interests end the Strawberry Fields...

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 the proponents of Carlsbad’s so-called “85/15 Plan” for the Agua Hedionda Lagoon area want you to ...

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 mandate with a strong sense of deja vu. The primary reason Encinitas incorporated as a city in 1986 was ...

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 to accommodate population growth, affordable housing and environmental stewardship. The Enc...