Condo-hotel delay to be considered
San Diego Union Tribune – San Diego,CA,USA
ENCINITAS: The city is once again considering cutting its lighting and
landscape services because the program is projected to run into the red….

SOLANA BEACH: The Solana Beach City Council on Wednesday will consider whether to extend a moratorium on condo-hotel construction by four months.

The extension would give city staff members more time to evaluate potential impacts of condo-hotels, which are individually owned condominiums that owners are required to make available as hotel rooms for most of the year.

If adopted, the extension would take effect when the current moratorium, which began Jan. 10, ends Feb. 25.

It would not affect the progress of the proposed Gateway Resort condo-hotel on North Coast Highway 101 because the developer has not officially applied to subdivide the land into condos, city officials said.

City staffers stated in a report that they need time to work with California Coastal Commission staffers and other coastal cities to determine whether condo-hotels qualify as visitor lodging.

Lighting, landscape services may be cut

ENCINITAS: The city is once again considering cutting its lighting and landscape services because the program is projected to run into the red.

In a midyear budget review, which will be discussed by the City Council on Wednesday, city finance officials noted that the Lighting and Landscape District’s expenditures will exceed revenue this fiscal year.

Expenditures are projected at $1.13 million, but its revenue will be $1.07 million.

However, city staffers are not recommending a fee increase because property owners have defeated a previous attempt at raising assessments.

In 2005, the city asked property owners to increase their annual assessments by $3 to $5. The mail-in ballot measure was defeated.

“The folks spoke. They said, ‘Make do with (what) you’ve got,’ ” Deputy Mayor Jerome Stocks said. “(The City Council) will be discussing a combination of reduction in service and supplementing with general-fund money.”

Vista water district increases its rates

VISTA: The Vista Irrigation District has raised rates slightly more than 1 percent, beginning next week.

The typical household bill will increase by 68 cents a month from about $57.92 to $58.60, said Brett Hodgkiss, administrative manager for the district.

A typical household in the district uses about 13,500 gallons of water a month, according to a news release. The district encompasses Vista and portions of Escondido, Oceanside, San Marcos and unincorporated San Diego County.

The district said the increase is necessary because of recent increases by the San Diego County Water Authority.

Olivenhain water to cost 4% more

ENCINITAS: Customers of the Olivenhain Municipal Water District will pay an average of 4 percent more for water effective March 1.

The district’s rates are graduated, with a higher charge for higher water use, but the rate increase for each step will be about 4 percent.

The district is increasing rates because the county’s regional wholesaler, the San Diego County Water Authority, is raising its rates by 5 percent. The Olivenhain Municipal Water District board is passing most of the increase on to its customers.

The district’s 48 square miles comprise parts of Carlsbad, Encinitas, Solana Beach, San Marcos, San Diego and Rancho Santa Fe and the communities of Elfin Forest and 4S Ranch.

Valentine-making class scheduled

DEL MAR: Wednesday is Val-entine’s Day, and instructor Michelle Peacock will show youths how to make paper valentines for friends and family members today at the Del Mar Public Library.

The hands-on craft class, for children 12 to 18, is part of the library’s monthly Teen Craft program. It will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. at the library, 1309 Camino Del Mar.