The developer paid $4,900,000 cash for this site in 2020, so he must have had some assurance from the Encinitas City Council/Planning Commission that he could build his 72-unit apartment house here.
It appears that expanding La Costa Avenue to four lanes will be required – though there aren’t plans or money to do so – yet the Encinitas City Council approved the development:
https://thecoastnews.com/encinitas-council-approves-new-plans-for-vulcan-avenue-project/
An excerpt:
The site of the project is 1967 N. Vulcan Avenue in the northernmost part of Leucadia near La Costa Avenue. The intersection of Vulcan and La Costa is a major concern to residents who oppose the development.
Wermers said the updated project plans now include changes to Vulcan Avenue that are meant to make the area safer for pedestrians and bicyclists.
“When we do this it also promotes vehicle safety,” Wermers said.
Wermers also made a commitment to pay his company’s fair share in whatever changes the city decides to make at the Vulcan and La Costa intersection.
“Whatever you guys decide, we want to pay our fair share,” Wermers added.
There was more support for the newly redesigned project, some pointing to the need for low-income housing in the area and the project will boast 12 units designated as low-income.
“We need more roofs over our heads. This housing project is the perfect one to bookend Vulcan Avenue and Leucadia,” resident Kevin Daniels said. “I can’t express this enough, this project is a perfect fit.”
https://thecoastnews.com/encinitas-council-approves-new-plans-for-vulcan-avenue-project/
The greenhouses are being torn down as we write and there is a new 3 way stop sign at the Vulcan/LaCosta Ave. intersection in place. The developer definitely had some form of assurance from City Council that this would fly.
This is NOT the ‘perfect fit’ for LEUCADIA. Encinitas is going the way of Carlsbad… obviously… BUT LEUCADIA is the reason why people are flocking down south! It’s eclectic… it isn’t apartment land… it doesn’t PAVE it’s walkways and it preserves it’s heritage (just ask Starbucks)! The Encinitas governance is HAPPILY rubbing shoulders with the big pushy developers who are attempting to get in on the CHARM that LEUCADIA is known for with one goal: CASH OUT & THEN SPLIT. This project SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN APPROVED and I hope that there are enough heritage Leucadians who will stand up for this great hamlet and preserve it’s authenticity.
Did you see what they approved on the west side of 101 next to Alila Marea (and same owner)?