Del Mar Pizza's sidewalk cafe shown with Sbicca's sidewalk cafe still under construction in June.
Photo by: Courtesy
Sidewalk improvements also planned
The creation and expansion of sidewalk cafes at four restaurants at Camino del Mar and along 15th Street were called a success by Del Mar's Interim Planning Director Brian Mooney, despite concerns about the use of a streamlined permitting process.
In August of 2008 the council adopted an ordinance making it easier to build sidewalk cafes. In the past, businesses would have to present their plans to the Design Review Board and obtain an encroachment permit and operations permit. Now, once city staff work with the business to create a plan, the City Council is a one-stop shop for this process.
"These sidewalk cafes would not have happened had they gone through the Design Review Board process," Councilman Carl Hilliard said.
When the sidewalk cafes along 15th Street were constructed some residents expressed outrage about the results. As Councilman Richard Earnest said, many expected the temporary set-ups that can come out and be brought back in. What they got instead were large brick structures with permanent walls or railing.
However, Mooney said the architectural plans were made public before the council approved them earlier this year. He said because of the street grade on 15th, the cafes required a permanent, level foundation and that he doubts this level of building will be needed in other village locations, as Camino del Mar is mostly flat.
The council learned that they do have the ability to send the plans to the DRB first. They also directed staff to create a set of design guidelines for the sidewalk cafes.
Sidewalk upgrades
The Public Works Department is taking advantage of this year's off season to make improvements to sidewalks, drainage equipment and tree grates in the village.
Public Works Director David Scherer said the upgrades will come from the TransNet funding, some of which comes from federal stimulus grants, and from the city's general fund.
The Planning Department is working on a plan to re-stripe the roads in Del Mar, which Scherer hopes will be ready by the time his sidewalk improvements are complete in February 2010.
Mayor Crystal Crawford asked if local businesses and property owners would be able to fund adjacent improvements. Scherer said they could if they were quick to act, as the city is on a short timeline to complete the projects.
"The downtown revitalization will inevitably have to be a public-private relationship," Councilman Don Mosier said. "This could be a good first step."
Public Works is counting on having a budget of $529,000 for the project. Scherer said $70,000 will be spent on engineering, $339,000 would go toward downtown improvements and $120,000 used in other areas.
An open house relating to this project is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 29, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the City Hall Annex.
Growth forecast
When a representative from the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) asked for Del Mar's help in June in crafting their 2050 Growth Forecast the City Council "pushed back," Crawford said. The council's reaction to a more detailed presentation was the same at Monday's council meeting.
Clint Daniels, manager of regional models for SANDAG, said the forecast would be used to "drive plans for later-year transportation investments in the 2050 Regional Transportation Plan." SANDAG projects that the San Diego region will approach 4.4 million residents, 1.9 million jobs and need 1.5 million housing units by 2050. That's an increase in 500,000 jobs. But the region is expected to come up short on available housing with only 380,000 units available but 450,000 needed.
SANDAG representatives are meeting with each jurisdiction looking for help in identifying additional housing in each area and planning for that growth.
Mosier asked if the plan accounted for infrastructure improvements. "San Diego County is notorious worldwide for neglecting its infrastructure," he said.
Daniels said infrastructure improvements would be left to local jurisdictions and that SANDAG's concern is planning for new construction.
But the council expressed concern that planning for increased housing before plans for infrastructure is "unplanned growth," as Councilman Marc Filanc said.
"This council has always believed that you can't build your way out of congestion," Crawford said.
Daniels said SANDAG would continue to work with staff from each jurisdiction over time, updating the general plan to meet the city's specific needs and address SANDAG's request for more housing.
The council agreed to assist SANDAG, but asked to see more of their concerns addressed.
Tourism district proposed
The president of tourism promotion firm Civitas Advisers Inc. presented a plan to create a Tourism Business Improvement District in Del Mar, which is endorsed by all five hotels operating within the city.
John A. Lambeth presented an overview of the TBID and said he would return to the City Council on Oct. 26 with a resolution of intention, which would provide more detail.
The creation of a TBID means a 1 percent charge would be added to hotel bills on top of the 11 percent tourism occupancy tax the city already collects from guests. Civitas would provide the promotional services and contract the Del Mar Village Association to run the administrative side.
If the council agrees to move forward on Oct. 26, notices about the proposal will be mailed to residents about a public meeting, tentatively scheduled for Dec. 7 and a final hearing will tentatively happen on Jan. 18. If all goes as planned, hotels can start charging the additional 1 percent on Feb. 1. Lambeth said 75 percent of the money collected will be used for tourism promotion campaigns, 12.5 will be used for administration and 12.5 will go back to the city for commercial zone improvements.
Smoking restrictions delayed
Instead of voting on the draft revision to the city's smoking ordinance, the council agreed to wait until the Oct. 5 meeting to review the proposed changes, giving the planning department more time to craft an updated ordinance.
Several members of the public spoke in support of the changes, which relate to smoking restrictions at sidewalk cafes and other public areas, and updating language, like eliminating restrictions in bars where smoking is no longer allowed statewide.
Language about smoking corrals where smoking would be permissible will likely be slashed after councilmembers and speakers expressed concern about endorsing smoking by creating special structures or outlets for that purpose.
Plaza parking to expand
Valet parking spaces for the Del Mar Plaza will increase by 58 or more to accommodate visitors during peak tourism days, such as Opening Day at the races.
The valet parking spaces in the Plaza parking structure will increase on busy days and spaces are now available for Plaza use behind the Del Mar Medical Center, owned by Dr. Richard Wheelock, through an agreement worked out with the Del Mar Village Association.
The additional parking spaces are needed because Plaza restaurants wanted to increase their use of public space for outdoor patios to the 25 percent maximum allowable use. For every 100 square feet of restaurant or retail space used, 1 parking space is required according to the Plaza Specific Plan.
Halie Johnson Halie Johnson is the assistant editor at San Diego Suburban Newspapers. E-mail her with comments or questions.
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