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CARLSBAD: Commissioners delay decision on luxury auto mall
Residents worry about sound, traffic, lights
This story has been corrected since its original posting
By BARBARA HENRY - Staff Writer | ∞
A row of Mercedes-Benz luxury cars sit in front of the Hoehn Mercedes-Benz Center in Carlsbad on Wednesday. The dealership plans to expand. (Photo by Hayne Palmour IV - Staff Photographer) CARLSBAD ---- Saying they didn't have all the information they needed when it came to lighting and noise issues, Carlsbad's planning commissioners decided Wednesday to delay a decision on a proposed luxury auto sales complex.
The move came after a series of people who live west of the proposed project threatened the city with legal action and declared that Carlsbad loved making money more than protecting the quality of life of its residents.
"I am not going to mince my words with you guys," said Ken Vallone, who lives in the La Costa Downs development west of the railroad tracks. "I am against this entire project."
The plans call for Hoehn Motors to lease a 23-acre site along Avenida Encinas from the Encina Wastewater Authority, which operates a treatment facility next door. On the now-vacant parcel, the car company would put Audi, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz and Porshe sales facilities. Some of these dealerships would be relocating from other spots, but the Jaguar and Land Rover dealerships would be new additions for the company.
Company President Bill Hoehn said he has learned much from Hoehn Motors' experience at the Car Country Carlsbad auto plaza, which is on the east side of the freeway. That place, which was built in the 1970s, is "showing its age," Hoehn said, adding that the new complex would have tons of on-site parking, unlike the Car Country area.
Jack Henthorn, a consultant for the company, said the new dealerships will have an ultra-modern design and contain many other features to limit their impact on the neighborhood.
But people who live west of the railroad tracks told commissioners that the luxury car dealerships would cause high-speed traffic accidents, wake them with noisy car deliveries in the middle of the night and blanket their neighborhood with light pollution.
Commissioners said they also wanted more information about the area's traffic accident history after hearing from neighbors that there was one fatality and several significant crashes in recent years. They also wanted details about the proposed lights over the dealerships.
"We're talking about (the lighting), but I don't really have a good idea of what this is going to look like," said Commissioner Sondra Boddy.
They agreed to take a second look at the project at their next meeting, Sept. 17.
Contact staff writer Barbara Henry at (760) 901-4072 or bhenry@nctimes.com.
CORRECTION: Commission meeting date in error
A story in some editions of Thursday's North County Times provided incorrect information about the date of the next Carlsbad Planning Commission meeting. That meeting is Wednesday, Sept. 17. We apologize.
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C-bad believer wrote on Sep 4, 2008 7:31 AM:right on neighborhood, why 'ask' why - NIMBY is not a dirty word - it equates to those who actually care about quality of life - i live near agua hedionda lagoon and the skyglow from the auto mall is obnoxious (nightly) and especially with the coastal fog - don't let it happen to others
Oh Yes wrote on Sep 4, 2008 7:58 AM:I want to drive the nice car, I just dont want it in my backyeard, suckers!
esteban wrote on Sep 4, 2008 8:34 AM:Why cater to the high end? What about equality? Where are the plans for a car lot filled with broken down jalopies?
Wise One wrote on Sep 4, 2008 9:05 AM:I believe that would be called a "Junk Yard", yea, I'd rather have a junk yard in my backyard instead of luxary cars....duuuuuuhhhhhh!!!!
chilly wrote on Sep 4, 2008 9:10 AM:NIMBY? We're talking about a car mall, not an energy plant or something that will actually help the community. There is already a car mall in Carlsbad but hey want a shiny new one. The home values will be affected and these people have a right to be upset.
Honda Man wrote on Sep 4, 2008 11:11 AM:Why would anyone need a Land Rover in Southern California anyway? Status symbol I guess.
Concerned Citizen wrote on Sep 4, 2008 11:19 AM:Hoehn motors should not be allowed to expand, until they stop opposing equal rights for everyone.
Lothar wrote on Sep 4, 2008 11:59 AM:Barbara, let's at least spell the names correctly, even if we do not want the dealership, it's Porsche, not Porshe.
At least it's not another Home Depot!
Facts wrote on Sep 4, 2008 12:15 PM:This project would help the community. The expanded and new dealerships would add hundreds of millions of new dollars into the community over the life of the project through salaries paid to local people and services purchased from local companies. It will also provide local governments with millions in new non-tax revenue the state can't steal. We have become a nation of selfish whiners.
Steve wrote on Sep 4, 2008 12:36 PM:I just read the article, and CAN'T believe the GREED of the HOEHN'S! I am in the automotive industry, and personally, i feel we have enough automotive dealers at this time. My idea for the parcel of land would include REAL affordable housing, maybe a recreation center for all the citizens to utilize. Infrastructure to better the quality of life for all. If the Hoehns wish to enhance their stores, let them refurbish their existing locations. Let's stop the greed!
Oops wrote on Sep 4, 2008 12:45 PM:Didn't I see a gnatcatcher on that property. Oh I'm sorry it was a council memeber looking for another developer handout. Just tell Hoehn to put some extra benches on the lot and Lewis will ok the project.
thank you wrote on Sep 4, 2008 1:07 PM:Concerned citizen for promoting censorship. You don't agree with what Bill Hoehn says so let's punish him. Brilliant!
Say it again Sam.... wrote on Sep 4, 2008 3:03 PM:"People"....declared that Carlsbad loved making money more than protecting the quality of life of its residents."....That's an understatement-been going on for years or haven't you noticed the development that doesn't 'protect' or enhance citizens quality of life? Safe Walking areas? Sidewalks without trip hazards? Bike lanes without death traps? Long needed STREET lighting in olde Carlsbad? NO! Paradise 'needs' a huge upscale luxury car sales lot? Soon we'll need an Indian Casino to balance the unbalanced. Glad the planning commission is taking a 'second' look! What happened to putting it to a vote by ALL, not just a handpicked few?
No Way wrote on Sep 4, 2008 3:40 PM:I'm glad speeding and light pollution was brought up as an issue. This needs to stop! There's no need to expand a car lot in Carlsbad. Keep it clean, keep it safe, and keep the open lands. In eastern Carlsbad, there's plenty of empty new business space that should've been considered. Carlsbad has one of the highest vacancies rates for commercial buildings. Stop throwing up buildings and constructing over a beautiful city when newly developed areas that are non-occupied should be considered and utilized first.
Concerned Cbad Resident wrote on Sep 4, 2008 3:50 PM:Good point "No Way". I suggest for them to rip out the Carlsbad Mall and make use of that. That mall has gone downhill for years and either needs a major makeover or move all car dealerships over there.
is there wrote on Sep 4, 2008 6:33 PM:a small auto mall with room for five luxury import dealerships and their inventory that's sitting empty in eastern C'bad?
ger real wrote on Sep 4, 2008 8:52 PM:Lets see, I wonder where Hoehn Lives.?
I wonder what he would say if some other wealthy developer wanted to build a second auto mall in front of his DEL MAR BEACH HOME..?? Thats what I thought. NIMBY..? There is ALREADY an auto MALL in our BACK YARD..!!! How about HOEHNS Back yard.
IF the Mayor or city council person or someone from the planning commision lived in LA Costa Downs, I doubt this project would have gotten this far. Its not about what the people / citizens want.. its about what the city wants and what HOEHN can do for them. This is your City representing you.. they dont. they represent a DEL MAR resident.
IF I wanted to make a room addition, I have to hire arcitects, get an Environmental impact report, get drilled by the ARCH review commitee and city council, make the city required changes that are always unreasonable, and still get denied. but ask for another AUTO MALL whaen there is already one down the street... " No problem".>!
Typical Illogical Governmental reasoning and lack of representation.
We all know whats going to happen.!! Thanks HOEHN..>!!
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