ENCINITAS: Umbrellas pop up at lofts
By RUTH MARVIN WEBSTER - Staff Writer | ∞
Workers perform stucco work at Moonlight Lofts on Thursday in Encinitas at Coast Highway 101 and Encinitas Boulevard. Bill Wechter/ NCT ENCINITAS ---- Saying that an umbrella was not just an umbrella but "life blood" for him, developer Richard Sax persuaded Encinitas planning commissioners Thursday night to allow residents of the Lofts at Moonlight Beach to put up sun umbrellas on their decks.
The commissioners seemed to agree, voting 3-1 to allow 12 forest green umbrellas on the rooftop decks of the three-story live-work complex on the corner of Encinitas Boulevard and Coast Highway 101.
Commissioner Gene Chapo voted against the motion, and Commissioner Paul Van Syke was absent.
The project, which includes 18 luxury condominiums with more than 13,000 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor, broke ground in July 2007.
"I had no idea this would become such a major concern, and it wasn't for two years," Sax told the commissioners. "But now, we have found that it makes the difference between a sale and not a sale."
All of the 18 condominiums are three-story lofts with two bedrooms and 2.5 baths. They range in price from $1.5 million to $2.5 million. Only 12 of the units have roof decks, the developer's architect, David Hawkins, said Thursday night.
Construction is expected to be complete by the end of October with move-in slated for November. So far, only two lofts and two commercial spaces have been sold.
Sax said before the meeting that he underestimated how important it would be to buyers to be able to put up umbrellas on the decks.
"This is really important, " he said. "It's so important that I came out tonight with the debate on and missed my wife's cooking."
City senior planner Gene Ybarra said Sax and his team scheduled a meeting in May with residents to discuss the issue of allowing umbrellas, but no one from the community attended. Only one resident wrote a letter lodging a complaint, pointing out that the building was already one of the tallest on the Coast Highway from La Jolla to Oceanside, and umbrellas would further block views of the ocean.
Peder Norby, Leucadia Highway 101 coordinator, said that it didn't surprise him that the commission was dealing with a question about rooftop umbrellas.
"We have height limits in Encinitas," he said. "People hold their ocean views and those height limits very dear. On the surface, it could look like we're micromanaging but tell that to someone with an ocean view."
Sax said the process of getting approval from the Planning Commission and the City Council has been expensive and lengthy.
Just last month, the council debated whether to allow the developer to stripe one parking space in front of the project on A Street for Postal Service parking.
Councilwomen Teresa Barth and Maggie Houlihan opposed allowing the one on-street parking space, but the motion carried by a 3-2 vote.
Contact Staff Writer Ruth Marvin Webster at (760) 901-4074 or at rwebster@nctimes.com.
More Stories
Advertisement
Givemeabreaik wrote on Oct 3, 2008 2:36 AM:There are no residential buildings East of this project. Whose view is getting blocked? This is why only one person objected at the hearings,
Juneboarder wrote on Oct 3, 2008 7:23 AM:Starting from the $1.5 millions!!! GASP!!! Someone must not have clued them in on the fact that were amid a housing crisis...
Hugh wrote on Oct 3, 2008 7:25 AM:Givemeabreak- 90% of encinitas oceanview property is East of this project. Go to bed and get some needed sleep.
Encinitas regular wrote on Oct 3, 2008 7:31 AM:re-name Chappo Chafo. How do we un-elect this nay-sayer? He's got to go!
Not just there wrote on Oct 3, 2008 8:23 AM:This is a plain case of developer favoritism. Were umbrellas prohibited in the development conditions agreed to by the developer? This case isn't about a view. Other builders in Encinitas will expect the same privilege.
silly billy wrote on Oct 3, 2008 8:32 AM:they are going to lose their money on this project, just bad timing, wrong side of the real estate wave
Wait a Minute wrote on Oct 3, 2008 9:09 AM:Government now regulating umbrellas? Please. Must be another Surfrider accomplishment. Can we carry them when walking in the rain in Encinitas or do we have to get permission? How do we let government get this crazy?
disgusted wrote on Oct 3, 2008 10:45 AM:it's the party central development...it's ugly..it's huge...and nobody is buying...maybe they will have to turn all those condos into low income units
Investigate wrote on Oct 3, 2008 10:54 AM:The city's municipal code has regulations on building heights and addition structures that protude above the maximum building height. The developer knew those restrictions. The taxpayers are being taken for a ride with the Moonlight Lofts.
Cardiffian wrote on Oct 3, 2008 1:46 PM:Oh please..this project is one of the best things to happen in Encinitas. You can live right next to the beach, the train station, the market, restaurants and shops, and have the freeway close by. This is the best of Santa Monica with the best of North County. A win - win. I can't wait to move in!
Jane wrote on Oct 3, 2008 5:19 PM:People driving west on Encinitas Blvd used to have a view of Moonlight Beach. It's not the umbrellas, it's the three story height PLUS umbrellas that will further block views. With Pacific Station and Moonlight Lofts, the skyline of Old Encinitas will never be the same.
This is bad timing re development and future sales potential, also, with the current economic calamity affecting anyone's being able to get easy credit.
Barrett development is now suffering economic woes, blighting parts of Leucadia with its unfinished Nantucket homes, which also were allowed to block views by measuring from the finished grade, rather than the natural grade. Just look at the monstrosity that was allowed to be “remodeled” at our Stone Steps beach access. That residence is not "mixed use" but it was permitted to be built up three stories from the sidewalk, impacting our skyline, once again. Visitors ask, what's that?
Rebecca wrote on Oct 3, 2008 10:05 PM:Cardiffian or should I say LA transplant. Those boxes might look nice in an LA beach town, but they look like Vista in old Encinitas. If you like that look, we look forward to you moving back to LA were you can enjoy Santa Monica! Cheers!
Cardiffian wrote on Oct 6, 2008 10:00 AM:Sorry Rebecca, but I have been in Cardiff since the mid '70's, and been in California since I was a wee lad. I remember what this place USED to be like - before El Camino Real - before Village Park and Park Place - when San Dieguito High School was practically by itself. I remember hunting up the San Dieguito river valley - those were the days. Guess what - they ain't coming back - this place ain't rural no more - so why not make the best of it? While "The Lofts" are far from perfect, I really like what is going on in Encinitas. I used to live in Del Mar a long time ago, and really enjoyed the shopping center where Il Fournaio's and Epazote's is now. There was a market, a bank, a laundromat and Zell's Liquor! Best thing was you could walk to it. That's what's missing in downtown Enc. Now, you can do this in Santa Monica too - but there are way too many people and way too many cars there - but the vibe is similar - the ability to walk out of your house and have everything near you. It's very european. So, Rebecca, tell me something about yourself. Have you lived here long? What kind of Encinitas do you envision?
First name only. Comments including last names, contact addresses, e-mail addresses or phone numbers will be deleted. Attempts to misrepresent your identity or impersonate any person will not be approved. All comments are screened before they appear online, so please keep them brief. Comments reflect the views of those commenting and not necessarily those of the North County Times or its staff writers. Click here to view additional comment policies.
Today's Stories
Advertisement
Videos
Advertisement