Editorial: A Deal is a Deal

As a condition of the SANDAG Del Mar Bluff Phase 5 stabilization project, currently nearing completion, the California Coastal Commission approval required three mitigation measures: 1) a 0.8-mile trail from Seagrove Park to 4th Street; 2) a legal rail crossing between 7th and 11th Street; and 3) an access trail from the rail crossing to the beach.

The original estimate for these mitigation projects was $8.3M. At a March 17th SANDAG presentation to the Del Mar City Council, the estimated cost had ballooned to $50M. No funding source currently exists to complete the required mitigation, and it sounds like no detailed planning has even begun. SANDAG  Executive Director Mario Orzo spoke at the meeting, and he talked about “finding a middle ground.” SANDAG Senior Director Clint Peace, who made the presentation, was non-committal about completing mitigation. Neither Orzo nor Peace provided any answers to challenging questions from the council or the public.

During the council discussion, Deputy Mayor John Spelich said, “A deal is a deal.” The Sandpiper agrees. There should be no way for SANDAG to renege on a condition they agreed to when the bluff stabilization project was approved.

Considering the ugliness of their destruction of the natural bluff, avoiding mitigation is adding insult to injury.

We urge everyone in Del Mar to pay attention to this issue and insist that SANDAG honors the commitment they made to the Coastal Commission.