by The Editors on December 12, 2007
On the Twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me a ocean front lot on the beach at Terramar. . .
We’ve written about Carlsbadistan’s “Land of Gold” before. It’s a street called Tierra Del Oro and we thought it had been completely built out, but it appears that the Riley’s have decided against building their 6,215 square foot Terramar dream home (which was approved by Coastal Commission and the City of Carlsbad). Instead, they’re selling the empty lot along with all the plans and permits for a sweet $6.15 million.
Approx 60′ Beach frontage. Approved plans for a magnificent home (three story from the beach side) with an elevator, a phenomenal master suite, three additional bedrooms, five baths, office, retreat, gym, music room, great room, game room, full bar, gourmet kitchen with a walk-in refrigerator, two car garage and direct beach access on a double cul-de-sac street.
Last minute shoppers should contact Tom and Peggy Cozens and ask them about MLS listing #071085779. It really is the perfect stocking stuffer.
Tom and Peggy Cozens, Century 21 Sea Coast (760)930-9336.
[Editors’ Note: For the full Carlsbadistan 12 Days of Christmas gift list click here.]
by The Editors on December 10, 2007
The City of Carlsbad, the organization that seems to love the idea of a desalination plant in the lagoon, is now asking Carlsbadistan residents if they like having the Encina Power Station there at all, according to a Barbara Henry story in the North County Times. They’ll ask the question in a mailer that is going out this week.
“If you didn’t have (the existing power station) there today, would you put one there or would you put it elsewhere?” said Joe Garuba, who is managing the city’s involvement in the proposal. “We don’t have the answer to that question, but we think it’s an important question to raise.”
Personally, we love the iconic nature of the power station’s 400-foot-tall smoke stack. It’s like mythical, benevolent guardian standing watch over Carlsbadistan and reminding everyone where they are, or how far they are from home. Unfortunately, NRG Energy the station’s owner, has plans to remove the station and the stack and put in a new 520-megawatt plant that would be “not very noticeable.”
What do you think? Let us know in the comments.
[Link: North County Times]
by The Editors on November 29, 2007
According to a story in the North County Times, the North County Transit District is considering a development plan for the Village train station that could mean several additions to what is currently a free parking lot.
There are two options under consideration for Carlsbad’s 14-acre transit station area, which stretches along the railroad tracks one block west of State Street. . . . The first option includes a pedestrian bridge over the railroad tracks, a five-story structure on the northern end of the transit district parcel and a three-story building with offices on the southern end. The second option calls for a four-story building on the southern end, five levels of parking in the central area and four stories of residential units to the north.
While NCTD’s plans have been posted for a sometime, very few people attended the “community workshops” set up by the agency. Is that because no one cares?
[Link: North County Times]
by The Editors on November 17, 2007
Carlsbad city officials were surprised when they saw the Alga Norte Park project bid from Consolidated Contracting Services of San Clemente because at $29.3 million it was $10 million lower than the next closest bid, according to a story in the North County Times.
The park, which will include a “multi-pool swim complex,” ballfields, playgrounds for kids, and most importantly a skatepark, sits on 33 acres at the corner of Poinsettia and El Camino Real. But why was Consolidated’s bid so low?
. . . an official with the architectural firm that drew up the park plans attributed the low construction bids to a variety of factors. Everything from having good plans to work with to a slumping construction industry helped, said Joniene Swick of Wimmer Yamada & Caughey. . . . The economy could be playing a part, others said. Bids for several recent government projects in San Diego County, including a Highway 52 proposal, have come in lower than expected, said a representative for Associated General Contractors —- a national organization that represents some 1,400 contractors who bid on government projects in the San Diego region.
Hey, as long as the cost savings doesn’t come at the skatepark’s expense (as usually is the case) then we’re all good. We’ll be watching you Consolidated.
[Link: North County Times]
by The Editors on November 14, 2007
It came as no real surprise to anyone, but last night the Carlsbad City Council voted unanimously (as the seemingly do for most development plans) to approve the environmental impact report on the Ponto Village Beachfront Vision Plan, according to a story in the San Diego Union Tribune.
It envisions 180 hotel rooms and 126 time-share units in an upscale resort overlooking the lagoon; a 215-room Hilton at Poinsettia Lane and Carlsbad Boulevard; and a 269-room hotel on Ponto Drive. . . . The plan also projects 128 condominium units, shops, restaurants, a wetland interpretive park and trails.
Looks like it’s all downhill from here.
“This is a very special place in our community,” Councilwoman Julie Nygaard said before voting for the plan. “There’s a lot of increased amenities. In the end we’re going to come out with a really nice place for our community.”
Yeah, special like Main Street in Huntington Beach. Wahoo!
[Link: San Diego Union Tribune]
by The Editors on November 12, 2007
The wheels of progress seem to simply grind everyone into submission through sheer boredom. We’re reminded of a line from Tolstoy’s War and Peace quoted by Liesl Schillinger in the New York Times:
Where the issue is undecided it is always the most stubborn who come out victorious.
We’re not big fans of what’s called The Ponto Vision Plan, but at the same time we’re becoming less stubborn each day. Tomorrow, starting at 6:00 PM, the Carlsbad City Council will again meet to make up for a discussion that was postponed October 23 because of the fires.
At the meeting, which begins at 6 p.m. at City Hall, council members will debate whether to accept an environmental report on the Ponto planning document. That report was ordered two years ago after strong public opposition to the development plan surfaced.
If you still care, show up at City Hall Tuesday at 6:00. We might see you there.
[Link: North County Times]
by The Editors on November 8, 2007
We have to admit that there is something frightening about allowing the Carlsbad City Council to make any decisions related to “design” or “architecture.” That said, in a vote of 3-0 the Carlsbad City Council Tuesday night approved a revised master plan and and design guidelines changes to Carlsbad’s Village, according to an article in the San Deigo Union Tribune. Councilmen Matt Hall and Mark Packard did not vote because they own property in the Village.
“The council voted, instead, to allow building heights of 45 feet if at least 50 percent of a roof is sloped. . . The council also voted to allow commercial buildings in much of the redevelopment area to be built up to the sidewalks, as long as their upper floors are tiered back. But the council is requiring the first floor of residential buildings to be set back from sidewalks an average of 10 feet. . . . The council also . . . approved a compromise to allow up to 35 [residential] units per acre [previously it had been 23].
The only thing the council rejected (thankfully) was a proposal let developers put in 15 percent fewer parking spaces “if their projects gave incentives to use public transportation” whatever that means.
[Link: San Diego Union Tribune]
by The Editors on November 3, 2007
The Surfrider Foundation has already stated that and the Agua Hedionda lagoon is the wrong place for the Poseidon Resources desalination factory. Now, according to the North County Times the staff of the California Coastal Commission is recommending a no vote on the project as well.
The staff of the California Coastal Commission, after months of reviewing information, said the project should be denied because it would harm marine life and water quality, hurt Agua Hedionda lagoon, and create millions of pounds of “green house gases” every year that could add to global warming.
Poseidon Resources is quoted as saying that they “were not surprised by the recommendation, but disputed the findings and said they thought commissioners would still approve the project.” Maybe they know something we don’t know.
[Link: North County Times and California Progress Report]
by The Editors on October 21, 2007
When the Carlsbad City Council meets on Tuesday October 23, 2007 Mayor Bud Lewis is expecting a large crowd to be on hand to voice their concerns about what is being called the Ponto Vision Plan, according to the North County Times.
Victor Ramirez, who lives in the Hanover Beach neighborhood, said Friday that the council can expect to hear from just as many public speakers as the planning commission did last month. . . “I think maybe even more,” he said, noting that his community has a Ponto meeting coordinator who is encouraging people to come. “I think they’ll have a full room and maybe overflowing.”
The mayor says the council will go until 10 PM and if they’re not finished it will be put off until next week. That sounds like a plan.
[Link: North County Times]
by The Editors on October 21, 2007
Jim Courtney and Michael Pfankuch would like to take the one-acre lot that houses old Carlsbad Boat Club on the north shore of the Agua Hedionda Lagoon and put in a 26-unit, 40,500-square-foot time-share condominium complex, but according to a North County Times story they’re the only ones excited about the project.
Neighbors say they think a three-story condo complex would be completely out of character for the quiet community made up of luxurious single-family homes. . . .The city’s Planning Department appears to agree. Staff members are recommending that the Planning Commission deny the permit that the project will need to proceed.
Courtney and Pfankuch have an uphill battle. If they get past the Planning Commission and the City Council they still must have their plans approved by the Costal Commission.
[Link: North County Times]
On the Twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me a ocean front lot on the beach at Terramar. . . 
RSS Feed-Posts