DEL MAR, Calif. — Imagine living at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. That’s the idea the coastal town and the 22nd District Agriculture Association board are going to negotiate.
Del Mar has not met the state’s requirement to build a certain number of affordable housing units.
This new plan could help Del Mar get closer to meeting that standard, but it will ultimately be up to the fair board.
'It's an oxymoron'
Many scratch their heads when affordable housing is mentioned in Del Mar.
“I laugh because it’s an oxymoron,” said Howard Short, a Del Mar chiropractor.
Realtor.com reports the latest median listing price in the coastal town is $4 million.
“I’ve always wanted to live here since I was a little kid,” said Price Morrision.
Under the state’s Housing Elements, Del Mar has not met the state’s requirement to build 113 new affordable housing units. The goal is to meet housing needs based on population by the end of the decade.
Del Mar Mayor comments on housing plans
“Most of it is just unsuitable for major housing,” said Dave Drucker, Del Mar Mayor. “It may be on a sensitive bluff area; it may be currently not zoned appropriately. It mostly has to do with sensitive areas.”
The city is facing a lawsuit after the council rejected the Seaside Ridge proposal that would create 259 apartments, including 42 lower income units and two units considered extremely low income.
Drucker is hopeful about a new plan that could put affordable housing at the fairgrounds.
Recently, an exclusive agreement was reached between the City of Del Mar and the 22nd District Agriculture Association to begin negotiations over two years. This begins the official negotiating phase, but it is non-binding.
“We’re looking for maybe up to 61 units. We’re hoping that it would house some of the workers that do work here. We hope that it’s in a spot where it’s able to use the local transit, and maybe also be a place for seniors to live,” said Drucker.
A spokesperson for the fair said this is still in its infancy stage, and no locations on the fairgrounds have been decided.
“The reason we’re here, primarily, is put on the San Diego County fair. So that’s always going to be the priority in these discussions is, how does this fit with the fair? And does it fit with the fair? And would residents of this affordable housing potentially be able to live here and coexist with the fair all the noise and the entertainment, the fun games that go with it, the traffic, of course, the ingress and egress routes, that’s all going to have to be stuff that we’re considering,” said Tristan Hallman, Chief Communications Officer, 22nd DAA.
Mixed feelings from residents, workers
Residents and workers have mixed feelings.
“I’m not sure who would want to live at the fairgrounds,” said Jamie Peddycord.
Short embraces the idea of housing at the fairgrounds.
“I think having humans on the fairgrounds is great, because there’s some, it’s such a focal point for the community. It’d be great to be able to walk everywhere. I think it would be amazing,” said Short.
Drucker said he would also like to change zoning to allow more housing above downtown businesses.
The 22nd DAA board of directors will ultimately decide whether to move forward with an agreement.
WATCH RELATED: Del Mar property owner files lawsuit to build housing development (Feb. 26, 2024)