Encinitas backs plan to limit downtown to retail space
Encinitas backs plan to limit downtown to retail space
By Angela Lau
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
May 24, 2007
ENCINITAS – A proposal to preserve Encinitas' downtown by restricting its ground-floor space to retail businesses received unanimous support from the City Council last night.
Councilman Dan Dalager, who owns a business downtown, recused himself. The vote was 4-0.
The council instructed city staffers to draft changes to existing laws so ground-floor spaces on South Coast Highway 101 between K Street and Encinitas Boulevard would be restricted to retail shops only. The new regulations would ban offices and residential use on ground floors because they are believed to drive away shoppers and create parking problems.
“We need to be ahead of the curve, before it is too late,” Councilwoman Maggie Houlihan said. “Some cities haven't paid attention. Before they know it, sales tax revenue drops off.”
Councilwoman Teresa Barth requested that travel agencies and banks be allowed on ground floors.
The council also unanimously supported drafting laws to give incentives to owners of historical properties downtown to preserve their structures. That would apply to an area roughly bounded by Encinitas Boulevard on the north, K Street to the south, the ocean and just east of Vulcan Avenue.
Dalager again recused himself from the vote, which was 4-0.
Those incentives could include allowing property owners who obtain historical designations a wider variety of uses for their structures.
The suggestion to keep downtown as a retail district came from the Downtown Encinitas MainStreet Association.
Peder Norby, the association's executive director, said downtown's proximity to the ocean and its collection of boutique shops have attracted business owners who want to open offices there.
That could change downtown's complexion and its ability to generate sales tax revenue, Norby said. Downtown is now 90 to 95 percent retail, with the rest office space.
By Angela Lau
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
May 24, 2007
ENCINITAS – A proposal to preserve Encinitas' downtown by restricting its ground-floor space to retail businesses received unanimous support from the City Council last night.
Councilman Dan Dalager, who owns a business downtown, recused himself. The vote was 4-0.
The council instructed city staffers to draft changes to existing laws so ground-floor spaces on South Coast Highway 101 between K Street and Encinitas Boulevard would be restricted to retail shops only. The new regulations would ban offices and residential use on ground floors because they are believed to drive away shoppers and create parking problems.
“We need to be ahead of the curve, before it is too late,” Councilwoman Maggie Houlihan said. “Some cities haven't paid attention. Before they know it, sales tax revenue drops off.”
Councilwoman Teresa Barth requested that travel agencies and banks be allowed on ground floors.
The council also unanimously supported drafting laws to give incentives to owners of historical properties downtown to preserve their structures. That would apply to an area roughly bounded by Encinitas Boulevard on the north, K Street to the south, the ocean and just east of Vulcan Avenue.
Dalager again recused himself from the vote, which was 4-0.
Those incentives could include allowing property owners who obtain historical designations a wider variety of uses for their structures.
The suggestion to keep downtown as a retail district came from the Downtown Encinitas MainStreet Association.
Peder Norby, the association's executive director, said downtown's proximity to the ocean and its collection of boutique shops have attracted business owners who want to open offices there.
That could change downtown's complexion and its ability to generate sales tax revenue, Norby said. Downtown is now 90 to 95 percent retail, with the rest office space.
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