Encinitas OKs hiring consultant to study land purchase Councilwoman says issue should have been fully discussed By Ruth Marvin Webster North County Times March 21, 2008 ENCINITAS ---- A councilwoman said Thursday that the panel's decision this week to study the potential purchase of county-owned land was another example of an item being put forth for a routine vote when it really required more discussion. The council voted Wednesday to hire a consultant to look into the acquisition and development of county-owned property at Via Molena and El Camino. The proposal was part of the consent calendar, a collection of items that are typically approved in a single motion without comment. Councilwoman Teresa Barth objected to that, saying the matter should have been considered separately and held for public comment. City officials were criticized in May when a proposed 20 percent pay hike for the city manager was initially placed on the consent calendar. On Wednesday, Barth opposed the motion to hire the consulting firm of Keyser Marston to determine whether to acquire and how best to develop the 10.5 acre piece of property behind the Encinitas Sheriff's Station. "I had objections to the fact that it was on the consent calendar and that we didn't have adequate background information about a number of the concerns the public brought up," Barth said of the proposal. "I think land acquisition matters should always open for public comment." In December, the council voted to negotiate the possible purchase or lease of the parcel from the county. The city has said it may work with a nonprofit agency to develop affordable housing on the parcel, which is now zoned for public facilities or buildings such as hospitals or medical offices. "Although the site present a unique opportunity for a significant affordable-housing component, it also presents some unique challenges," states a memo from the city's Planning and Building department. Two people at Wednesday's meeting questioned whether the land may present contamination issues, because it was previously used to burn trash. Portions of the property are now being leased by Solana Center for Environmental Innovation, formerly Solana Beach Recyclers, and as an overflow parking lot for the nearby Encinitas Ford. The consultant fee, not to exceed $47,500, would be appropriated and budgeted from the city's Affordable Housing Fund. According to state law, at least 80 percent of the property would have to be developed as housing and half of that would be set aside for low-income households. Deputy Mayor Maggie Houlihan questioned whether the consultants could be instructed to also consider other uses of the property and whether the consulting fees would have to be reimbursed if the final development did not result in the construction of affordable housing. Both caveats were added to the motion before it passed. Contact staff writer Ruth Marvin Webster at (760) 901-4074 or rwebster@nctimes.com Copyright 1999-2008, California Coastal Coalition Phone: (760) 944-3564