Del Mar

The Del Mar City Council has set Feb. 9 for a special election for voters to consider a modified version of a hotel proposal narrowly defeated in a special election Sept. 22.

The council voted 3-2 Monday night to allow voters to decide whether a three-story 123-unit hotel should be built on the northwest corner of Camino Del Mar and 15th Street. A similar plan was defeated by voters by a 15-vote margin out of 2,209 cast.

In the new proposal, the public park is increased and the retail shops are reduced. Also, the time-share condominiums are reduced from 24 to 12, and greater public use of the community center is assured.

The proposal was put forth by developer Jim Watkins, who owns the 5.2-acre site. Under Proposition B, passed by voters in April, 1986, all commercial plans for the seaside community’s tiny downtown must be submitted to a public vote.

If the second hotel proposal is defeated, Watkins may ask voters in April to approve a retail complex on one-third of the property, and then build condominiums on the remainder.