INTRODUCTION

Dear Del Mar residents and neighbors,

For maybe the first time in Del Mar’s history we are in the midst of a storm of external pressures from state and federal lawmakers and regulators. SANDAG, HCD on Sacramento’s affordable housing mandates and the Coastal Commission are forcing conflicting and at times contradictory requirements on Del Mar. These mandates are at the root of the most contentious issues in the city today. The only way we weather this storm is to pull together a united front and respond with common-sense and practicality.

As a candidate for City Council I hope to earn the support of all who have worked so hard to make Del Mar such a great place to live and work. I want to carry on that tradition with respect for the history and with an eye toward standing up for our residents to achieve the best results possible on the thorny issues we face. These include:.

THE TRAIN TRACK AND TUNNEL

We need to realize the train isn’t going away. We all must come together and engage with SANDAG effectively to get the train off our fragile bluffs (so the scars inflicted there in shoring up the tracks can be removed as soon as possible) and ensure no tunnel under our homes and businesses. We must protect the city’s economy from a decade-long tear-up that will negatively impact our tourism and access to our downtown thereby decreasing the tax income generated for our city.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING MANDATES

Time is running out on finding common-sense solutions to state affordable housing mandates, most of which are fueling internal disputes ranging from accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to multi-unit housing to short-term rental policy. We also must do everything we can to help the 22nd DAA Fairgrounds team see the advantage of adding affordable housing, including senior housing, to their master plan. We need a win on behalf of our residents and our seniors. The fairgrounds board needs a win as well.

MEET COMMITMENTS TO DEL MAR RESIDENTS

We have great leadership in City Manager Ashley Jones and her staff, who navigated the city through the pandemic and allowed us to emerge fiscally strong and ready to move forward. The Council needs to continue to support staff in executing the commitments that have been made to our residents, including protecting our fragile bluffs, safeguarding residential views, preserving our beaches, paving streets, undergrounding utilities, and enabling our business community to thrive. In other words: the things city governments are supposed to do, and do well.

REASONABLE, COMMON-SENSE SOLUTIONS

There is a steady drumbeat of laws from Sacramento that are designed to strip away local control. There is also pressure being applied by state and regional agencies that have conflicting goals and this is a root cause of many contentious issues in Del Mar. We must find ways to grow our influence across the region and make more allies in this fight rather than being dictated to by Sacramento legislators and regulators. As a member of the Planning Commission, my colleagues and I have tried to do this by setting an example for the state and other cities on how you can say yes in a way that gets the job done and makes sense for your city. I will have more to say on this later.

THE WAY FORWARD IS TO UNITE THE CITY AND FIGHT TO STAND STRONG FOR OUR RESIDENTS

In my career, I have been able to achieve positive results because I strive to learn and consider all points of view and concerns respectfully and take action to resolve disputes. It is fundamental to me to think of others’ perspectives when creating strategies that win for them, their employees and their stakeholders as well as their community.

I believe we need a united City Council that continues to stand strong for our residents, and a Council that can forge a consensus on the issues facing us. It is my hope that my experiences, energy, temperament, and curiosity for seeking reasonable solutions will enable me to serve all the residents of Del Mar as we navigate through the waves of issues confronting our city today.

I want to earn your endorsement and support. I would like to hear from you and learn about matters you find important in the city. You can contact me by completing the form below, by texting me or calling me at 858-243-6062 or by emailing me at John4DelMar@gmail.com.

JOHN SPELICH FOR DEL MAR CITY COUNCIL 2024