Population Growth in Del Mar

The Yes on J people have made the comment that we need more residential because the population of Del Mar has decreased over the last 20 years.  While the official census of DelMar has decreased, the actual numbers of people that live in Del Mar has pretty much remained the same as the number of empty lots has not increased and very few buildings that have been torn down have not been replaced. More than 20% (or 800 people) of the population are now part time residents. For example, the person who lives across the street from me, resides in Minnesota, but comes to Del Mar every other month and stays for about 2 weeks. He has been doing this for over 20 years. These part time residents are not included in the census.

The 110 residential units may increase the population by 220 or so people, but there is no guarantee that these residents will be full time residents included in the census. How many of the L’Auberge condominiums or the Windows Villa condominiums are occupied by full time residents?  Actually the voter registration numbers give us a clue – less than 50% are registered voters in the City of Del Mar. 

There are quite a few people that live in other parts of San Diego County, yet have a place in Del Mar for weekends and vacations. By over developing the downtown, will this make Del Mar a less desirable place to spend one’s weekends or vacation?

Finally, there is no guarantee that these residential units will be affordable.  The cheapest condominium in Del Mar costs about $500 per square foot. At 1,000 square feet, a condominium would cost $500,000. This is not an affordable unit.

Prop J is as someone else has stated is a mishmash of goals, solutions and rationales that gives the power of the development of our city to bureaucrats, developers and future councils. One of the important parts of Del Mar is the ability of the people to control large scale development.

Please Vote NO on Prop J. Save Olde Del Mar.