Del Mar meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Del Mar City Council weighs referral of state officials over Seaside Ridge; two meetings cancelled

The Del Mar City Council held a special meeting Aug. 3 to consider referring state officials to prosecutors over the Seaside Ridge housing project. The agenda included a complaint alleging conflicts of interest and potential referrals to the San Diego District Attorney and U.S. Attorney. No minutes have been published, so no decisions are confirmed. Two other meetings were cancelled.

City Council special meeting on Seaside Ridge

The council met to consider Agenda Item 1, an investigative referral concerning elected and appointed officials related to the Seaside Ridge project. The city faces active litigation and potential penalties of at least $2.59 million plus attorneys' fees over the project, according to the agenda summary.

Two public comments were submitted after the agenda was distributed. Mark Arabo, a Governor-appointed member of the 22nd District Agricultural Association, denied any improper connection to the Seaside Ridge development. An attorney representing Carol Lazier and the Seaside Ridge project called the city's actions "outrageous" and a misuse of public resources, and requested the meeting be cancelled.

The agenda also included a request for public disclosure of all city official communications with state officials and campaign contribution records.

Other council items on Aug. 3

The council also reviewed a public complaint alleging potential conflicts of interest involving state officials and local housing projects, including Seaside Ridge. Staff recommended referring the matter to the San Diego District Attorney's office and the U.S. Attorney for Southern California for further investigation. The complaint raised concerns about campaign contributions related to the project. The city received a $1.5 million state grant to study affordable housing feasibility on the Fairgrounds, according to the agenda.

These items were listed as agenda-only; minutes have not yet been published.

Cancelled meetings

The Planning Commission's regular meeting scheduled for Aug. 11 was cancelled because no items were scheduled to be heard. The Design Review Board's regular meeting scheduled for Aug. 26 is also cancelled for the same reason.

Coming up

The Design Review Board's next regular meeting is set for Sept. 23 at 6:00 P.M. No other upcoming meetings with scheduled items were listed in the provided data.

Del Mar City Council weighs prosecutor referral over Seaside Ridge; no decisions recorded in past two weeks

In the past two weeks, Del Mar's City Council and two neighborhood outreach meetings took place, but no official decisions were recorded because minutes have not yet been published. The most consequential item was the City Council's consideration of referring state officials to prosecutors over the Seaside Ridge housing project.

City Council considers referral over Seaside Ridge

The Del Mar City Council held a special meeting on August 3 to consider an investigative referral concerning elected and appointed officials related to the Seaside Ridge development. The agenda included three related items: a review of a public complaint alleging conflicts of interest, a potential referral to the San Diego District Attorney's office and the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California, and a request for public disclosure of all City official communications with state officials and campaign contribution records.

The agenda included two public comments submitted after the agenda was distributed. Mark Arabo, a Governor-appointed member of the 22nd District Agricultural Association, denied any improper connection to the Seaside Ridge development or its developer, Brian Guiltinan. A letter from an attorney representing Carol Lazier and the Seaside Ridge project called the City's actions "outrageous" and a misuse of public resources, and requested the meeting be cancelled.

The City faces active litigation and potential penalties of at least $2.59 million plus attorneys' fees related to the project. Separately, the City received a $1.5 million state grant to study affordable housing feasibility on the Fairgrounds. Staff recommended referring the matter to the San Diego District Attorney and U.S. Attorney for further investigation.

Because minutes have not yet been published, the outcome of the Council's consideration is not known.

Neighborhood meetings on home replacement projects

Two Citizens' Participation Program (CPP) meetings were held to gather early neighbor feedback on proposed residential projects. No official decisions were made at either meeting.

On July 29, neighbors discussed conceptual plans to demolish and rebuild a home at 126 6th Street. The applicant, Robert and Holley Martens, represented by Bokal and Sneed Architects, presented early design ideas. A second CPP meeting with architectural plans and story poles is planned as the next step.

On July 30, a similar meeting was held for a proposed replacement home at 1130 Cuchara Drive. The project includes demolition of an existing two-story residence, construction of a new home, and site improvements such as grading, fencing, hardscape, and landscaping. This was the Step 1 introductory meeting for early feedback on conceptual designs.

Both meetings followed standard CPP outreach procedures and did not involve formal city review.

Coming up

The Del Mar Planning Commission meeting scheduled for August 11, 2026, has been cancelled. The notice states there are no items scheduled to be heard. No other upcoming meetings were listed in the next 14 days.

Del Mar City Council to weigh housing-conflict complaint; recent boards reviewed park redesign, home projects

Del Mar's City Council is set Monday, Aug. 3, to consider a public complaint alleging conflicts of interest in local housing efforts and potentially refer the matter to the San Diego District Attorney's office and the U.S. Attorney for the Southern California District. Staff recommends the referrals, according to the upcoming agenda.

City Council — Aug. 3

The council will review a complaint alleging conflicts in affordable housing efforts on the 22nd DAA property, including concerns about the Seaside Ridge Project and related campaign contributions. The agenda notes the city received a $1.5 million state grant to study affordable housing feasibility on the Fairgrounds. A separate agenda item also lists consideration of investigative referrals to the San Diego District Attorney's office and the United States Attorney for the Southern California District regarding potential misconduct by state elected and appointed officials.

City Council — July 21 (closed session)

The council held closed-session conferences with legal counsel on potential litigation exposure tied to the 6th Cycle Housing Element and on existing litigation in Lazier v. City of Del Mar (Case No. 25CU058363C). No public comment was allowed on these items. Minutes have not yet been published.

Design Review Board — July 22

The Design Review Board reviewed several projects, including the Major Arterial Median Improvement Project and a seawall design recommendation for 2940 Sandy Lane (SSP25-003). Also on the agenda: exterior improvements at 334 14th Street for St. Peter's Episcopal Church; exterior improvements and a new spa at 1639 Luneta Drive; and demolition and construction of a new two-story residence at 1330 Crest Road. For 1330 Crest, the record includes neighbor correspondence on window placement, privacy landscaping, and a rooftop deck, including a neighbor request for 24-inch box Green Gem Ficus for privacy. Minutes have not yet been published.

Shores Park Master Plan Ad-hoc Advisory Committee — July 24

The committee reviewed a recommended revised concept design for the Shores Park Master Plan. Changes stem from the Del Mar Historical Society's June 19, 2026 letter withdrawing its request to place Alvarado House at the park; that footprint would be replaced with open lawn. The multi-use sports court would be reoriented from east-west to north-south to comply with the lease agreement with the Winston School, reducing on-site parking from 22 spaces to 19. The committee was set to provide feedback and an advisory recommendation to the City Council. Minutes have not yet been published.

Citizens' Participation Program meetings

Two pre-application neighbor feedback sessions were held under the Citizens' Participation Program, a procedural step with no official city decisions:

• July 29 — CPP26-008: Applicants Robert and Holley Martens, represented by Bokal and Sneed Architects, presented conceptual ideas to demolish an existing residence and construct a new home at 126 6th Street. The next step is a second CPP meeting with architectural plans and story poles.
• July 30 — CPP26-007: A CPP Step 1 introductory meeting for a proposed demolition of an existing two-story residence and construction of a new home at 1130 Cuchara Drive, with site improvements including grading, fencing, hardscape, and landscaping. Architectural representation is by Bokal and Sneed Architects.

Coming up

• **City Council — Monday, Aug. 3:** Review of the housing-conflict complaint and potential investigative referrals.
• **Planning Commission — Tuesday, Aug. 11:** Meeting cancelled; no items scheduled to be heard.

Del Mar Roundup: Council Agenda Included $1M Lagoon Grant, Wastewater Deal; Planning Commission Reviewed Housing Code Changes

Del Mar's City Council and Planning Commission each met earlier this month, with agendas covering a $1 million federal grant application, a regional wastewater agreement, and citywide zoning amendments for housing and lot lines. Minutes from those meetings have not yet been published, so the outcomes listed below reflect what was scheduled for consideration, not what was formally decided.

City Council — July 7

The council's July 7 agenda included several consent calendar items tied to infrastructure spending:

• A **$1,031,000 NOAA grant** for the San Dieguito Lagoon Shoreline Protection Project.
• **$90,000 in pump repairs** at the 21st Street Wastewater Pump Station.
• **$80,805 authorization** for a new Fire Station Alerting System with Honeywell.
• The **Second Amended Regional Wastewater Disposal Agreement** with the City of San Diego.
• Right-of-way certifications for the **Camino Del Mar Bridge Replacement Project**, needed to secure federal funding.

A public hearing was scheduled on an encroachment permit for a vehicle gate at 1411 Via Alta. A related discussion item focused on conditions for planting 58 Podocarpus Henkelii hedges in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. The council was asked to consider requiring fire-marshal review, height and width limits, sightline compliance under DMMC 30.92.040(B)(5)(e) and 30-inch/10-foot sightline guidance, and vegetation-maintenance provisions in a recorded covenant binding future owners.

The agenda also listed updates on the Camino Del Mar Bridge replacement, a draft environmental impact report for the capital improvement program, and an undergrounding program streetlight policy.

Because minutes are not yet available, it is not confirmed which items were approved, continued, or modified.

Planning Commission — July 14

The Planning Commission was scheduled to review two municipal code amendment packages and make recommendations to the City Council:

• **A26-001**: Proposed changes to lot line adjustment and lot consolidation processing procedures, citywide.
• **ZA26-001 / LCPA26-001 / ZA26-003**: Code changes to implement Housing Element programs covering special needs housing, residential care, supportive housing, emergency shelters, transitional care, and reasonable accommodations.

Commissioners were asked to provide recommendations before referral to the City Council for final action at a future noticed hearing. No minutes have been published yet.

Lagoon Committee — July 15

The Lagoon Committee agenda included a water quality update from Mikhail Ogawa Engineering covering the Jimmy Durante Bridge and Grand Avenue Bridge, plus approval of minutes from January 14 and March 16, 2026. Outcomes are not yet confirmed.

Coming Up

• **July 21 — City Council (closed session)**: Legal counsel conferences on potential litigation exposure related to the 6th Cycle Housing Element and the existing case *Lazier v. City of Del Mar* (Case No. 25CU058363C). No public comment on these items.
• **July 22 — Design Review Board**: Review of the Major Arterial Median Improvement Project, a seawall design at 2940 Sandy Lane (SSP25-003), exterior improvements at 334 14th Street for St. Peter's Episcopal Church, improvements and a new spa at 1639 Luneta Drive, and demolition plus new two-story construction at 1330 Crest Road.
• **July 29 — Citizens' Participation Program (CPP26-008)**: Early neighbor feedback session on a proposed demolition and rebuild at 126 6th Street. Applicants: Robert and Holley Martens, represented by Bokal and Sneed Architects.
• **July 30 — Citizens' Participation Program (CPP26-007)**: Introductory feedback session on a proposed demolition and rebuild at 1130 Cuchara Drive, represented by Bokal and Sneed Architects.

No official decisions are made at CPP meetings; they gather early input before formal development review.

Del Mar Council weighed wastewater deal, $1M lagoon grant, and hedge fire-safety conditions; Planning Commission takes up housing code next

Del Mar's City Council was scheduled July 7 to act on a regional wastewater agreement with San Diego, a $1,031,000 federal grant application for the San Dieguito Lagoon Shoreline Protection Project, and $90,000 in pump repairs. Minutes from that meeting have not yet been published, so the items below reflect what was agendized — not confirmed outcomes.

City Council — July 7

The consent calendar listed several dollar items:

• **$1,031,000 NOAA grant** for the San Dieguito Lagoon Shoreline Protection Project.
• **$90,000 pump repairs** at the 21st Street Wastewater Pump Station.
• **$80,805** for a new Fire Station Alerting System with Honeywell.
• **Second Amended Regional Wastewater Disposal Agreement** with the City of San Diego.
• A resolution for **Camino Del Mar Bridge Replacement** right-of-way certifications needed for federal funding.

A public hearing was noticed for an encroachment permit for a vehicle gate at 1411 Via Alta.

Council was also set to discuss fire-safety conditions for planting 58 Podocarpus Henkelii hedges in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. The discussion item asked whether to require fire-marshal review, set maximum maintained height and width limits, require compliance with DMMC 30.92.040(B)(5)(e) and 30-inch/10-foot sightline guidance, and include vegetation-maintenance requirements in a recorded covenant binding future owners.

Updates were also scheduled on the Camino Del Mar Bridge Replacement Project, a draft environmental impact report for the capital improvement program, and an undergrounding program streetlight policy.

Because minutes are not yet available, vote tallies and final actions cannot be reported here. Readers should consult the official City Council record for outcomes.

Citizens' Participation Program — June 29

A neighborhood meeting was held on a proposal by applicant John Gildred to demolish an existing dwelling and construct a new two-story home with an attached garage at 919 Stratford Court. CPP meetings allow the applicant and neighbors to exchange design feedback before a formal development review application. No binding decisions are made at this stage.

Coming up

• **July 14 — Planning Commission:** Recommendations to the City Council on two municipal code amendments. Item A26-001 would change processing procedures for lot line adjustments and lot consolidation requests citywide. Items ZA26-001/LCPA26-001/ZA26-003 would update zoning regulations for special needs housing — including residential care, supportive housing, emergency shelters, and reasonable accommodations — to implement Housing Element programs. The Commission's role is to review and recommend; final action would come at a future City Council hearing.

• **July 15 — Lagoon Committee:** A water quality update from Mikhail Ogawa Engineering covering the Jimmy Durante Bridge and Grand Avenue Bridge. The committee will also consider approving minutes from its January 14, 2026, regular meeting and March 16, 2026, special meeting.

Del Mar roundup: Design review and neighbor meetings held; Council set for wastewater, lagoon funding votes July 7

Recent Del Mar meetings covered residential projects on 10th Street and Stratford, but no decisions are confirmed yet — all three gatherings from late June have agendas published but minutes not yet available. The most consequential items are on the July 7 City Council agenda, where members will consider a regional wastewater agreement, a $1,031,000 federal grant for lagoon shoreline protection, and roughly $170,000 in infrastructure and safety equipment spending.

Design Review Board — June 24

The Design Review Board was scheduled to review DRB25-021, a permit request for residential renovations and additions at 520 10th Street. The project includes a 193-square-foot total addition, a 272-square-foot deck extension, and conversion of 150 square feet of breezeway into living space. The board was also set to approve minutes from its May 27, 2026 meeting. Minutes from the June 24 session have not been published, so no outcomes are confirmed.

Citizens' Participation Program — June 25 and June 29

Two Citizens' Participation Program (CPP) meetings gave neighbors a chance to weigh in on proposed home projects before formal applications are filed. CPP meetings do not produce binding decisions.

On June 25 at Del Mar Townhall, applicant Sean Barry of Barry Estates proposed demolishing the existing residence at 1641 Stratford Way and building a new single-family home. The city contact listed is Associate Planner Jean Crutchfield.

On June 29, applicant John Gildered proposed demolishing an existing dwelling at 919 Stratford Court and constructing a new two-story home with an attached garage.

Neither meeting has published minutes.

City Council — July 7 (upcoming)

The City Council's July 7 agenda includes several consent calendar items and one public hearing.

Regional wastewater agreement: Council will consider the Second Amended Regional Wastewater Disposal Agreement with the City of San Diego.

San Dieguito Lagoon funding: Council will consider applying for or accepting a $1,031,000 federal grant — described as a NOAA grant — for the San Dieguito Lagoon Shoreline Protection Project.

Pump station repairs: Council will consider $90,000 in repairs at the 21st Street Wastewater Pump Station.

Fire station alerting system: Council will consider authorizing $80,805 for a new Fire Station Alerting System with Honeywell.

Camino Del Mar Bridge Replacement: Council will consider adopting a resolution for right-of-way certifications needed for federal funding, and will receive a project update.

Public hearing — 1411 Via Alta: Council will hold a public hearing on an encroachment permit for a vehicle gate at 1411 Via Alta.

Other business: The agenda also includes updates on a draft environmental impact report for the capital improvement program and an undergrounding program streetlight policy.

Coming up

• **City Council** — July 7, 2026. Items include the regional wastewater agreement, $1,031,000 lagoon grant, $90,000 pump repairs, $80,805 fire alerting system, and a public hearing on a gate encroachment permit at 1411 Via Alta.

No other upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days.

Design Board considers 10th Street addition; Council to weigh $1M lagoon grant next week

Del Mar’s recent public meetings focused on residential projects and neighborhood input, while the City Council prepares to tackle regional wastewater terms, a federal grant for lagoon protection, and an encroachment permit at its next session.

Design Review Board

The Design Review Board’s June 24 agenda included a permit request for a residential renovation at 520 10th Street. Under application DRB25-021, the owner is seeking a 193-square-foot total addition, a 272-square-foot deck extension, and the conversion of a 150-square-foot breezeway into living space. The board was also slated to approve minutes from its May 27 meeting. No decisions are available because meeting minutes have not yet been published.

Neighborhood Meetings

Two Citizens’ Participation Program (CPP) meetings gave neighbors a chance to comment on proposed single-family home projects before formal applications are filed.

On June 25, applicant Sean Barry of Barry Estates presented plans to demolish the existing residence at 1641 Stratford Way and build a new single-family dwelling. Associate Planner Jean Crutchfield was the city contact. No binding votes are taken at CPP sessions.

A June 29 CPP meeting covered a proposal by John Gildred to demolish the home at 919 Stratford Court and construct a new two-story house with an attached garage. The format again allowed early feedback, with no official action.

Coming up

The City Council meets July 7 with a consent calendar that includes three money items:

• A second amended regional wastewater disposal agreement with the City of San Diego.
• A $1,031,000 federal funding application for the San Dieguito Lagoon Shoreline Protection Project.
• $90,000 in repairs at the 21st Street Wastewater Pump Station.

Also on consent, the council will consider an $80,805 purchase for a new Fire Station Alerting System from Honeywell and a resolution certifying right-of-way for the Camino Del Mar Bridge Replacement project, a step needed for federal funding.

A public hearing will address an encroachment permit for a vehicle gate at 1411 Via Alta. Council members will also receive updates on the bridge replacement, a draft environmental impact report for the city’s capital improvement program, and an undergrounding program streetlight policy.

All meetings are open to the public. Agendas and participation details are posted on the city’s website.