Del Mar Will Consider Selling Hidden Pines Road Property

Del Mar City Council postponed a decision to list a city-owned property on Hidden Pines Road for sale.

The City Council considered scheduling the public protest hearing, the first step in offering the property for sale, at its Monday meeting.

The property, which was previous used as a water pump site, sits on a significant grade. It is zoned for single family residential use and measures 3,170 square feet in size, but it is just 25 feet wide.

Assistant City Manager Mark Delin noted in a report that the small parcel could conceivably be developed with variances.

"This could be auctioned, it could be listed with a real estate broker, it could be done with a closed bid after some time," Delin said.

Delin added that the city received a letter of interest from an adjacent property owner to purchase the property.

A neighbor on Hidden Pines Road asked the city to delay the public protest hearing. The city's staff initially proposed the hearing for April 1.

Councilman Don Mosier said having the proposed protest hearing in two weeks was "moving a bit too fast."

"It is a very steep lot. It is almost a 45 degree climb to get up to the top. So it is not a general use for a park. Developing a property on that, even with variances, would be a very expensive undertaking," Mosier said. "I think it is appropriate that we consider selling the property since it is not used by the city."

The city proposed earmarking proceeds from the sale towards its capital improvement fund.

Another neighbor spoke against the sale, Gary Burke said this open space is an asset to his property. He said in the event of a fire, this property provides him another exit route.

City Council will hear the decision to offer the property up for sale at its May 20 meeting at the Del Mar Communications Center. A public protest hearing will be scheduled at that time.

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