Health & Fitness
My Opposition to Prop J
Dave Druker's historical perspective on his opposition to Prop J.
As some Yes on J proponents are canvassing voters, they have stated that they are surprised that I am against Prop J, as I have always supported the revitalization of downtown. Let me make it crystal clear what the facts are about my opposition of Prop J and why I am voting NO on Prop J.
In early 2005, the City Council composed of Crystal Crawford, Jerry Finnell, Henry Abarbanel, newly elected Carl Hilliard and I attended an all day working session to help set priorities for the coming fiscal year. One of the main points of discussion was “how to revitalize Del Mar.” Many of the council members at that time spoke glowingly about the need for more retail and more buildings. I passionately spoke about the need to keep Del Mar of “human scale.” Some of the other council members were taken aback that I did not agree with their large growth position.
As I left the council in 2008 and there was talk of doing a Specific Plan for the downtown, I warned the council that such a plan would be too large and they should concentrate on a plan for the City Hall site as a model for the rest of the city.
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I continue to believe that the downtown needs some refurbishment. But this refurbishment should be driven by an economic plan. Do we want more board and breakfast type hotels, do we want more restaurants, or do we want more residents? Could these be built with an FAR of 45%? What should we do with the City Hall site?
Del Mar in many ways is defined by Measure B – the ability of citizens to control large scale development. Just think if the City of San Diego had such an ordinance and the people of Carmel Valley could vote on One Paseo.
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Finally as I bring friends and relatives to downtown they are impressed by the “human scale.” The addition of 220,000 square feet of space including 110 residential units and allowing 2 stories on the west side of Camino del Mar will ruin our “human scale.” For Del Mar to be competitive we need to be different from Solana Beach, Flower Hill Mall, Del Mar Highlands and the rest of San Diego County. Prop J will make us too much like everyone else.
Please Vote NO on Prop J. Save Olde Del Mar.
