Del Mar

A bluff on the northern border of Del Mar has been named in memory of newspaper magnate James G. Scripps, but a plan to rename a city street after the late Cuban television star Desi Arnaz has been rejected.

The City Council Monday night considered proposals to honor the two former Del Mar residents, both of whom died last month.

Winning unanimous support was Councilwoman Brooke Eisenberg’s request that a bluff preserve be renamed for Scripps, who donated $250,000 to the city to assist with its purchase. Scripps, who was owner of Seattle-based Pioneer Newspapers Inc., died Dec. 27.

Councilman Scott Barnett’s proposal to rename a city street for Arnaz, who had lived in Del Mar from 1960 until his death Dec. 2, did not go over quite as well. Barnett argued that Arnaz deserved the honor because of his efforts to raise funds for the purchase of Seagrove Park.

But his council colleagues protested that renaming a street would inconvenience residents. Instead, they agreed to ask the Del Mar Fair Board to change the name of its northwestern entrance on Via de la Valle from Solana Gate to Desi Arnaz Gate. If the fair board refuses, the council will consider erecting a plaque commemorating Arnaz in Seagrove Park.