Oceanside City Council is likely to approve a new five-building development with 295 apartments and 3,000 sq. ft. of retail space in the four story structures because it meets Transit Oriented Development (TOD) policy requirements.
The Ocean Creek project-is similar to other projects that have drawn ire from residents, fed up with increased traffic, difficult parking and the changing skyline of their neighbourhoods, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported on Feb. 6.
Ocean Creek will have 295 apartments and 3,000 square feet of retail space in five four-story buildings proposed for the corner of Oceanside Boulevard and Crouch Street.
But Oceanside council members “say California laws require the city to approve projects that address the statewide housing shortage and encourage more people to use public transit.”
“You can’t get any closer to transit than that,” project representative William Morrison said on Feb. 4, describing the development’s location at the corner of Oceanside Boulevard and Crouch Street. “It’s consistent with the city’s Smart and Sustainable Corridors Program and its Climate Action Plan.”
Both documents advocate for a planning policy often called “smart growth.” It suggests building higher density housing in older neighborhoods near public transit to create walkable communities, reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality.
However, several residents dispute the “smart growth” assertion, including more than 200 who had signed a change.org petition requesting the city’s denial.
“Fire Mountain has been a respected, safe, friendly neighborhood for over a century,” the petition says. “Our safety is an issue, and will become a bigger issue with increased traffic. Fire Mountain residents object to the vast increase in traffic, congestion, pollution, noise, and speeding through our peaceful neighborhood with this new high-density development.”
