ENCINITAS -- Planning commissioners told a bridge designer Thursday night that they want to see more character in his designs for three proposed pedestrian crossings under the railroad tracks in Encinitas.
"(The design) reminds me of something you would have seen on a commercial as a kid ushering in the 20th century," Commissioner Paul Van Slyke said of the architectural designs furnished by bridge designer and San Diego architect Joe Tognoli.
"This is not Encinitas," Van Slyke said of the designs.
Commissioner Tom McCabe agreed, saying, "These bridges are going to be major statements, and we have to come up with a design that provides some character that also meets the demands of the site. We want the community represented here."
Tognoli said that his designs for the crossings were clean and simple and economically feasible, but the commission unanimously decided to continue the discussion at its Aug. 21 meeting.
That would give a subcommittee of Commissioners Gene Chapo and Tom McCabe time to meet with Tognoli to discuss new sketches.
The pedestrian crossings under the tracks near El Portal Street, Santa Fe Drive and Montgomery Avenue have been an ongoing city project since 2002, when the city agreed with the North County Transit District to build pedestrian crossings under the tracks.
Since then, there have been three workshops at which residents were allowed to weigh in. Afterward, the city decided to build underpasses that would allow pedestrians to cross the tracks on walkways and ramps from surrounding streets.
Landscaping with mostly native plants and design features set in the retaining walls are also featured in the design.
Leucadia residents Kate David, Rachelle Collier, Kathleen Lees and Mary Lou Schultz spoke during Thursday's public hearing.
All highlighted esthetic and safety concerns with the underpasses.
"I have lived in Leucadia for 40 years, and for the last 30, I have been crossing the tracks," said Schultz. "I think those underground rail bridges really look like tunnels to me, and tunnels are not accessible to half of our population. Women know never to travel that way."
Richard Phillips from the city manager's office explained to the commission that at-grade rail crossings were not longer being approved by authorities, leaving the city with underground crossings as the only viable option.
If the Planning Commission approves the design and the coastal development permit at its August meeting, the city will then have to find funding for the estimated $20 million project.
"I would like to acknowledge the people here who think that this project is a waste of money," said Commissioner Mark Steyaert, adding that he saw no reason why residents could not be left to their own devices to cross the tracks safely, as they have for some time.
"It's just short-sighted and too expensive, but it's what we have before us."
Contact Staff Writer Ruth Marvin Webster at rwebster@nctimes.com at (760) 901-4074.
