Panel Denies Zoning Changes for San Dieguito

San Diego County’s push to implement three zoning changes in the San Dieguito coastal area has been rejected by state coastal commissioners because the proposed increases in densities could translate into greater traffic congestion.

The three county proposals, which were rejected late Tuesday night by commissioners meeting in Los Angeles, included a 93-acre tract north of Encinitas Boulevard at Interstate 5, a 124-unit condominium complex on an 8.5-acre tract in Encinitas Highlands, and a convalescent care complex on a 10-acre tract on Crest Drive.

After the California Coastal Commission rejected the zoning changes, developer James Bashor withdrew for review his plan for a 262-unit housing project on part of the 93-acre tract.

Commission analyst Paul Webb said that the increased densities would have serious impact on several San Dieguito traffic arteries, especially Encinitas Boulevard. The added traffic would make necessary more than $3 million in widening projects in the area of Encinitas Boulevard and I-5.

The action puts on hold county amendments to its general plan, calling for the increased densities. Webb said the county and state staffs most likely will meet to discuss the conflicting decisions.

Webb said that a recent county traffic survey of the San Dieguito area convinced commission planners to oppose the increased densities in the three Encinitas projects, which had been approved by supervisors.

However, he said, “it is possible that with additional information about the traffic situation in the area, we could be influenced to change our position.”