Del Mar issues survey for Objective Design Standards

Residents are encouraged to respond to a short survey addressing Objective Design Standards — the measurable and verifiable criteria that would apply to development projects in which State law overrides local design review.

The City published the...

Council reaffirms local climate emergency declaration

Imminent coastal erosion, sea level rise and flooding are among the consequences of climate change and driving forces behind the City Council’s unanimous vote Nov. 13 to reaffirm its declaration of a climate emergency.

The approved resolution rea...

For 26-year planner, job satisfaction comes with helping people

Principal Planner Matt Bator’s first assignment for the City of Del Mar was as an intern in the City Manager’s office. At the time, he was studying geography, surfing and working at The Fish Market.

That was 26 years ago.

Then-Planning D...

Council approves guiding principles for rail realignment

The City Council on Nov. 13 approved nine guiding principles to establish an official position on SANDAG's plans to realign the railway.

Council members agreed the document should include a tenth statement that reflects input from Del Mar Fairgrou...

Free weekend and holiday parking in downtown Del Mar

To welcome the holiday season, parking in downtown Del Mar is our treat during weekends and holidays.

Two-hour parking in the town center and the L’Auberge Del Mar garage will not be enforced during the following periods:

• 5 p.m. Nov. 22 through 9 ...

SANDAG hosts rail realignment workshop and launches weekly office hours

SANDAG representatives returned to the Del Mar Civic Center Nov. 6 to explain plans and take questions on proposed train tunnel alignments beneath the City.

The next day, officials from the transportation planning agency held the first of weekly, in-person...

Report tracks progress of wetlands restoration

Water quality at the San Dieguito Lagoon wetlands is in good standing. So is the density and variety of birds. 

Researchers from the UC Santa Barbara also conclude that the presence of exotic and invasive species — the kind that can chok...

Council advances Undergrounding Program

A program to remove utility poles and overhead cables throughout Del Mar advanced Oct. 16 with the City Council's approval to formally designate the next undergrounding district and approve funding for pre-construction work.

The Stratford Court No...

Council delays action on ADUs

The City Council delayed action on proposed Accessory Dwelling Unit ordinances and related Housing Element programs Oct. 16, directing staff to rework draft regulations to address parking in areas of high wildfire risk and clarify other areas of concern.

C...

For Fire Department veteran, it’s all about the team

What do professional baseball and the fire service have in common?

“It’s all about the team,” said Del Mar Fire Department Engineer Rob Tucker.

“Tuck” should know. Before joining Del Mar as a paid-per-call f...

Council approves framework for short-term rental regulations

The City Council on Oct. 2 provided direction on a 10-point framework to set regulations for short-term rentals, or STRs. 

Informed in part by an analysis of 17 other cities' policies, staff recommendations covered permitting, rules and restrictio...

City of Del Mar and Winston School statement on settlement

The City of Del Mar and The Winston School are pleased to announce that after many months of settlement negotiations, the parties have reached agreement on updated lease terms and a settlement agreement that will allow for the dismissal of the pending law...

Oct. 16: ADU ordinances on City Council agenda

In keeping with input from the public and recommendations from the Planning Commission, City staff on Oct. 16 is set to bring forward draft Accessory Dwelling Unit ordinances that require ADUs to be used as dwelling units subject to deed restrictions.

The ...

Statement on investigation of Councilmember conduct

Press Release/Public StatementMonday, September 25, 2023For Immediate Release 

On Monday, September 25, 2023, the City Council met in closed session to review the summary of an investigation that was opened at the unanimous direction of the City C...

City launches short-term rental registry

The City has launched a voluntary registry of short-term rentals to identify the number of units operating within the City of Del Mar. 

As the City Council moves toward setting new policies and regulations, gathering data on short-term rentals is ...

Free COVID-19 test kits available at Del Mar Library

Free COVID-19 test kits provided by the State of California are available to residents at the Del Mar Library while supplies last.

The hours for the library service desk are:

• Noon to 7 p.m. Tuesdays; 
• 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; and
• 1...

Council reviews Riverpath plans, authorizes grant applications

After reviewing plans Sept. 18 for the Riverpath Del Mar Extension Project Phase 3, the City Council authorized its staff to apply for State and County grants and to return with final design and permit approvals.

The half-mile-long trail would extend the e...

SANDAG posts train tunnel report

SANDAG has posted the full "San Dieguito to Sorrento Valley Double Track/Del Mar Tunnels Alternatives Analysis Report" to its website.

Dated August 2023, the 134-page report includes a detailed narrative, figures and tables. 

Appendices t...

Planning Commission advances ADU policies

After a four-hour meeting Sept. 12, the Planning Commission voted to advance a series of recommendations on Accessory Dwelling Unit policies and regulations. 

The recommendations will be folded into draft ordinances for the City Council's...

San Elijo JPA headquarters nominated for Orchid

San Elijo Joint Powers Authority has been nominated to receive an Orchid for Public Architecture for its Water Campus Improvement Project in Encinitas. 

A new Operations and Visitor Center is both curvilinear and angular. The modern, two-story bui...

Public works veteran is certified playground safety inspector

Introducing Alex Panduro, an 18-year veteran of the Public Works Department who, among other talents, is a certified playground safety inspector.

The certification is especially valuable while maintaining new equipment at the Powerhouse Park Tot Lot, which...

Council advances planning for San Dieguito Drive

With support from area residents, the City Council Sept. 5 authorized $155,400 to design improvements for a private, one-block-long segment of San Dieguito Drive between Racetrack View Drive and Oribia Road. 

The improvements would conform with pu...

SANDAG hosts rail realignment workshop

SANDAG representatives hosted a heavily-attended workshop Aug. 30 to present information on the LOSSAN Rail Realignment Project. The workshop drew an estimated 200 attendees to the Del Mar Civic Center Town Hall.

The realignment project envisions a tunnel ...

Hilary soaks Del Mar but causes little damage

Tropical Cyclone Hilary made a soggy sweep through Del Mar Aug. 20 but caused minimal damage and no interruptions to utility services.

The storm brought steady rainfall throughout the day that intensified in the early evening. The National Weather Service ...

Fuel Reduction Program nets 10.6 tons of yard waste

The 2023 Fuel Reduction Program removed 10.6 tons of combustible material from Del Mar's neighborhoods and 100% of the yard waste was recycled.

During a two-week period in late July and early August, EDCO collected 73 three-yard waste bins, which ...

Staff Spotlight: Longtime lifeguard is a tip-top teacher

As the junior lifeguard program wraps up next week, Del Mar Weekly shines a spotlight on lifeguard Sgt. Scott Henson. Henson is a driving force behind organizing the program, which has served more than 230 kids during four, two-week sessions this summer.

E...

Security recommendations follow report of mail theft

Authorities are investigating mail theft in Del Mar after a resident's report, Sheriff's Capt. Christopher Lawrence said Aug. 2.

During the past year, the United Postal Service has reported increases in mail theft, the Captain said.

Recomm...

Del Mar officials and Miramar base commander discuss helicopter noise

The Commanding Officer of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar told Del Mar officials July 28 that crowded airspace is most often to blame for military helicopters hugging the coast and disturbing residents with noise.

During a briefing and tour of MCASM, Col....

Council approves guiding principles for short-term rentals

The City Council on July 24 approved 11 principles to guide the development of policies for short-term rentals.

The guiding principles stem from existing goals and policies set in Del Mar's Community Plan and Local Coastal Program.&nb...

Residents asked to weigh in on ADUs

Following a public workshop July 11, the Planning Department is soliciting public input on accessory dwelling units. Staff is gathering the comments ahead of a Sept. 12 Planning Commission meeting.

During the workshop, members of the public and Planning Co...

Water Authority delivers update

San Diego County Water Authority officials updated the City Council July 24 on pressing issues the regional wholesaler faces.

Mel Katz, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Del Mar's representative to the 24-member agency, delivered the presenta...

Planning Commission advances ordinance on manufactured homes

The Planning Commission voted unanimously July 11 to recommend that the City Council introduce a draft ordinance addressing manufactured homes.

To comply with State law, the City Council must adopt a number of housing ordinances before the new year.&nb...

Council adopts SB 9 implementation ordinance

The City Council voted unanimously June 19 to adopt an ordinance to implement Senate Bill 9, a State law that provides for multiple units and lot splits on property zoned for a single dwelling — all without a public hearing.

The ordinance amends ...

Council reviews data and process for short-term rentals

The City Council on July 10 initiated its process to set policies on short-term rentals with a review of data and consensus on the topics and scheduling of future meetings.

No policy actions were taken.

An analysis of short-term rentals from Jan. 1 through ...

Solid waste collection rates to increase July 1

The City's solid waste hauler, EDCO, is set to increase residential and commercial rates by 6.6% effective July 1.

For residential customers using 96-gallon, gray trash carts, rates will increase $1.99 per month, from $29.95 to $31.94.

The annual a...

Two-year budget increases funding for streets

A two-year operating and capital budget approved by the City Council June 19 increases funding for street repairs and paving that had been cut severely during the pandemic.

The final, approved budget reflects an Operating and Capital Budget of $39.8 millio...

City statement regarding Surface Transportation Board decision

The City of Del Mar is pleased with the United States Surface Transportation Board (STB) decision issued on Tuesday, May 23, declining to grant the North County Transit District’s (NCTD’s) Petition for a Declaratory Order, filed in Aug...

Researcher discusses bluff erosion

Heavy rains, high tides and big surf this winter contributed to significant bluff erosion this year.

In a presentation to the City Council May 15, Dr. Adam Young of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography said that on average, Del Mar's bluffs ret...

Summer prep in full swing

City staff is preparing our beaches and parks to welcome more than 3 million visitors this summer.

In a May 15 presentation to the City Council, staff reported that calendars are filled with scheduled events at the beach, parks, Town Hall, Powerhouse Commu...

State awards $100M for San Dieguito rail project

A State program has awarded $100 million to the North County Transit District and San Diego Association of Governments to advance the San Dieguito Bridge Replacement, Double Track and Special Events Platform Project.

The California Transit and Intercity Ra...

Council weighs in on SANDAG plans for pedestrian access

The City Council weighed in April 17 on SANDAG's proposed pedestrian access improvements along the Del Mar bluffs, with an undercrossing between 7th and 8th streets and a north-south trail east of the tracks from Seagrove Park to 4th Street ident...

Federal rail official takes up-close look at Del Mar bluffs

On the invitation of Rep. Mike Levin, Mayor Tracy Martinez rode the COASTER April 13 with Amit Bose, Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration, to view erosion on the Del Mar bluffs.

The short trip took Bose, Levin and other elected officials fr...

Del Mar launches online permitting portal

The Planning Department has launched on online tool to provide real-time, online access to project and building permit information.

The tool, eTRAKiT, allows users to apply for select planning projects and building permits. Users also can pay fees, upload ...

San Dieguito Drive reopens after repairs

San Dieguito Drive fully reopened March 17, two days after a partial road failure left a guardrail hanging, exposed a sewer line and reduced the narrow road to one lane of travel.

Within hours on March 15, crews placed riprap and crushed rock on the washou...

Reminder: Don't store vehicles on City streets

Residents are reminded that storing vehicles on City streets is prohibited. 

No vehicles shall park upon any street, alley, or public lot for a period of greater than 72 hours.

The 72-hour limit is set in the San Diego County Code and California Ve...

City Council receives upbeat financial report, approves transfers

In a reversal of pandemic-era belt-tightening, the City Council on March 6 approved $1.3 million in transfers to various reserve funds. The transfers include $500,000 to the Pension Reserve Fund, $600,000 to the Housing Reserve Fund and $200,000 to a newl...

Council approves tree replanting with help from Del Mar Foundation

The City Council on March 6 approved replanting 14 City-owned trees with generous assistance from the Del Mar Foundation.

The Foundation, which is planting 40 trees to celebrate its 40th anniversary, has volunteered to buy the 14 replacement trees and cove...

Rail, housing, undergrounding identified as top priorities

The City Council on Feb. 13 identified its top goals and priorities for the next two fiscal years, which include relocation of the railroad tracks off of the Del Mar bluff, Housing Element implementation, utility undergrounding and addressing short term r...

Pole removal marks milestone for Utility Undergrounding Project

A City-wide initiative to remove overhead utility lines marked a milestone Feb. 8 with the ceremonial removal of the final utility pole of the Tewa Court/10th Street Utility Undergrounding District.

As a small gathering of City officials, utility represent...

Beware of crimes of convenience and opportunity

A lieutenant from the North Coastal Sheriff's Station is reminding residents and business owners to beware of crimes of convenience and opportunity.

In a recent crime of convenience in Del Mar, a burglar gained access to a home using a garage door...

Big surf slams beachfront

Storm-driven surf pounded Del Mar's beaches Jan. 6, sending foamy water over seawalls and beneath wooden barricades to pool patios, Ocean Front and Coast Boulevard. 

No major damage or injuries were reported. Flooding and minor damage wer...

SANDAG hosts Coastal Connections Study workshop

SANDAG has published seven potential options for pedestrian access along the blufftop railway and an online form for the public to weigh in on the draft concepts. During a Dec. 7 workshop at the Town Hall, representatives from the regional planni...