SAN DIEGO — The Del Mar City Council discussed creating a task force focused on plans to move the railroad tracks off the eroding coastal bluffs, but ultimately decided against the idea.
Moving the train tracks off the coastal bluffs is a major project. SANDAG is considering building a tunnel and running it underneath the city of Del Mar.
The city council Monday talked about forming a task force made up of residents to share ideas, get community feedback, and work with SANDAG.
Del Mar's mayor and deputy mayor supported creating the panel, but the idea was ultimately struck down. Some council members feel the community can still be heard without creating a task force.
"I think we are doing a huge disservice to the people of our community not to give the people of the community to apply to this task force. I think we are doing a terrible wrong," said Deputy Mayor Terry Gaasterland.
The panel would've comprised seven applicants including five residents of Del Mar and two from nearby Torrey Pines. Residents like Angelina Neglia have taken it upon themselves to do their own research.
"Me constantly coming here and telling the council what residents want," Neglia said.
She, other residents, and local business owners have found two routes that would avoid rerouting the tracks under homes. One includes going through the Solana Beach trench.
"The other one is just the train comes out the trench, goes through the trestle bridge and around the fairgrounds shooting across the lagoon," she said.
Neglia said in mid-March or April SANDAG will be discussing its top options. The city of Del Mar will have 30 days to respond but is working to get an extension.
Watch Related: Black's Beach in Torrey Pines split in two after dramatic bluff collapse (Jan 23, 2023)