Del Mar City Council Meeting Agenda
Del Mar Town Hall
1050 Camino del Mar, Del Mar, California
September 8, 2025 City Council Meeting
INFORMATION RECEIVED
AFTER THE COUNCIL AGENDA
WAS DISTRIBUTED
(“Red Dots”)
1 Robert Silva
From: carter chappell <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 2, 2025 4:31 PM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: September 8, 2025 City Council Meeting, Encroachment Permit EP25-068 Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear Council Members,
The September 8, 2025 City Council Meeting will include a requested approval of Encroachment Permit EP25-068, a request to retain existing retaining walls and to extend the length of a wall within a public right-of-way at 610 Hoska Drive. We live two doors away at 601 Hoska Drive.
We support approval of the requested Encroachment Permit. The retaining walls at 610 Hoska Drive have been in place at least since 2009 when we purchased our home. The retaining walls have always been well maintained, they are aesthetically pleasing and actually provide more useable land for the property located immediately to the east. The walls look good and add architectural interest to the property.
We ask that the City Council approve Encroachment Permit EP25-068.
Thank you,
Kathy and Carter Chappell
601 Hoska Drive
Del Mar, CA
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September 8, 2025 ITEM 6
1 Robert Silva
From: Customer Service <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, September 4, 2025 11:07 AM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: Re: Haines encroachment permit
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
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My name is Susie MacNamara, and I live at 623 Hoska Drive, across the street from the Haines. I have been at this address since 1978.
That property has never been even with the street, nor sloped down to the street. That restraining wall predated the Haines. It is obvious necessary for the landscape to stay in place.
I support the retention of those walls. Please support what has always been there.
Susie MacNamara
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September 8, 2025 Item 6
1 Robert Silva
From: Mirsky, Phyllis <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, September 4, 2025 4:32 PM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Cc: Mirsky, Phyllis; Ed Mirsky
Subject: Agenda Item VIII #6– Encroachment Permit 25-068 to Retain Existing Unpermitted Retaining Wall
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
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To: City Clerk, City of Del Mar
Subject: Agenda Item VIII #6– Encroachment Permit 25-068 to Retain Existing Unpermitted Retaining Wall Dear City Clerk,
We are writing in support of the application submitted by Jayne and Tim Haynes for Encroachment Permit EP25-068, which seeks to retain the existing wall and extend its length within the public right of way at 610 Hoska Drive.
We believe this is an excellent plan that will enhance the overall appearance and character of the neighborhood. The proposed wall extension is thoughtfully designed and blends well with the existing landscaping and surrounding environment. It reflects the high standards of design and care that are consistent with the aesthetic of the community.
We respectfully urge the City Council to approve this application.
Sincerely,
Phyllis and Ed Mirsky
605 Hoska Drive
September 8, 2025 Item 6
1 Robert Silva
From: W. S. <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, September 4, 2025 11:34 PM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: Red Dot Letter re: Clerk File No. 802-1
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
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Regarding Encroachment Permit 25-068, my husband and I live across the street from the property at issue. We have no objection to the encroachment, and would recommend that you approve the permit request. The small wall at issue has been there for decades, and I am not aware of anyone that has ever objected to it. Indeed, if one were to look up and down the street, they would see large established hedges on other properties that run along the curb; this encroachment, practically speaking, seems less intrusive than those. Furthermore, I understand that moving the small wall would endanger a mature magnolia tree. Although I understand and generally support the need to preserve the city’s easements, in my opinion, denying this encroachment request is pointless and would cause more harm than good.
Thank you. Wynne Spadafora
Sent from my iPad
September 8, 2025 Item 6
1 Robert Silva
From: Sarah Krietor
Sent: Friday, September 5, 2025 4:10 PM
To: Robert Silva; City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: FW: EP25-068 Application
Attachments: City Council Meeting EP25.docx
Hi Robert, can you please process the attached red dot and email below for Item 6? Thank you,
Sarah
From: Jayne Haines <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, September 5, 2025 3:33 PM
To: Sarah Krietor <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: EP25-068 Application
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Hi Sarah,
I am submitting my letter to be reviewed by everyone before the meeting on Monday. I will follow this email with the rest of my package, but thought I would get the letter portion to everyone before end-of-day today.
Respectfully,
Jayne Haines
September 8, 2025 Item 6
City Council Meeting EP25-068 Red Dot Letter -Applicant My husband and I purchased our home at 610 Hoska Drive in 1993. It was a neglected property and one of the improvements our contractor recommended for our sloped lot was a short retaining wall with bushes planted in front of it to replace the row of enormous Oleander hedges that had been planted across the front of our yard. At some point between 2014 and 2019 (according to Google Earth Images), a 1’-tall half-circle tree ring was also built around a Magnolia tree in the southwest corner of our property to keep dirt and water contained at the base of the tree. (See incoming photos items 1,2) Jump to 2025
This year’s devastating Palisades fire prompted a difficult decision to remove a large Bishop pine tree in our front yard that had been planted years before we owned our home. It was just a few feet from our front door, and hung over our roof, creating a fire ladder if God forbid Del Mar should ever be faced with a similar disaster. Its roots had also lifted up large portions of our walkway and driveway, creating serious safety and liability concerns (See incoming photos #3, #4). After removing the tree, there were obvious repairs to be made. We replaced our damaged concrete driveway and walkway with permeable pavers, and touched up some of the worn features of our front yard, that after 33 years needed some attention.
We painted the front of our home, dressed up our columns, and replaced river rock facing with limestone for a more updated and manicured look. We also applied a new coat of stucco to our east retaining wall. In addition, we planned to add new stucco to our existing front retaining wall, as it was showing some wear and tear. To access this wall, we had to temporarily remove the greenery in front of it, and between the wall and the street, plan to add a drought-tolerant ground cover to replace the river rock that was there before, and fresh, tidy hedges in front of the face of the wall.
The eastern section of our retaining wall located to the right of our front walkway is 6’ long and between 13” and 9” high. For aesthetic purposes, we began to add a 4’ long, 8” high addition to taper it off. A quick correction: photos on the Staff Report indicate that our existing wall in this section is presently 10’ long with an additional 4’ proposed, but in reality, the existing wall is 6’ long with a proposed 4’addition, amounting to 10’ total. The added 4’ section is not completed or finished - and waiting for approval.
May 10, 2025
Shortly after the bushes were removed, an anonymous individual who probably had never seen our wall before (since it had been hidden by a hedge for over three decades) assumed that it was new and measured its distance from the curb. Our wall is apparently 20” closer to the street than the current 60” setback allowance. The City was notified and they placed a stop work order on our house on June 10th.
This 60” setback was news to us, as we built our wall with enough room to accommodate a sidewalk, should the City ever decided to build one along the street. There never was any talk of having to permit this wall. In fact, Adam Burnbaum had come by on numerous occasions during our construction, and nothing was ever mentioned to indicate that we were not in compliance with setback ordinances. Could it be that this was something that was not as regulated in the early ‘90s as it is today? That may explain why there are so many other structures throughout Old Del Mar, including on our street, with a similar, or even less of a setback measurement.
We also didn’t think a permit was required to maintain or repair an existing structure. Nonetheless, we filed for an encroachment permit, and were surprised that Staff did not consider grandfathering in our 33-year-old wall. Maybe Staff assumed that the complainant was right in that we were constructing a September 8, 2025 Item 6
new wall and we didn’t make it clear from the start that this was an established wall. I will include proof of the wall’s existence from a few Google Earth photos dated as far back as 2013, as well as one photo showing our daughter having a water balloon fight with her friend when she was about nine. You can see the top of the wall in the background. She is now 34 years old. (photo #5 incoming) Let me share that we have always been very focused on curb appeal, and creating and maintaining a beautiful streetscape that aligns with the attractive character of our neighborhood.
So what’s the big deal about moving our wall in 20” from the street? The Tree
In the southwest corner of our lot is a magnificent, healthy Magnolia tree we have always called “Maggie.” She was planted on our property line 55” from the street well before we bought our home.
This 40-foot tree is a focal point along Hoska Drive, providing a shaded canopy, nectar for bees from its plate-sized flowers, and nesting branches for hummingbirds each spring. People often comment on how beautiful this signature tree is when passing by. (see photo #6) The thing about Magnolia trees is that they don’t have a tap root like many other large trees. That means that their roots feed off of ground water. Our irrigated front lawn has kept our tree healthy for decades and its roots are literally wrapped under, and around our wall to get to the top surface of our property.
We hired a Licensed arborist to confirm that if we move, or remove this wall, enough roots will be damaged to kill our tree (See arborist’s report #7).
Back to the wall
Our established retaining wall has never caused a problem in terms of aesthetics, safety or right-of-way.
There is plenty of room to park alongside our property, open the door of the biggest SUV on the road and still have plenty of room to exit on a flat and safe surface. It has never caused an issue with anyone in our neighborhood, and is part of a lovely streetscape our family and neighbors have enjoyed for yearsand, once a new hedge is planted, it will again be obscured.
I personally visited with dozens of home owners in our immediate vicinity and everyone I spoke with agreed wholeheartedly that our wall is perfectly fine as is, especially if disturbing it causes us to lose another precious tree on our street. (A signed neighborhood petition will be added as part of this packet).
Again, we were unaware that our wall was unpermitted from the start, and ask that we are allowed to keep our non-conforming 33-year-old retaining wall in place, as it is a benefit to our community, as well as our responsibility to protect one of Del Mar’s precious trees.
Finally, when our Encroachment Permit was denied, we had not yet addressed the issues regarding the tree, as we truly thought Staff would accept our request to keep our established wall. Now, in light of this critical aspect of our request, we are asking City Council to reconsider.
Respectfully,
Jayne and Tim Haines
September 8, 2025 Item 6
1 Leslie Carrillo
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
From: Cory Grant <[email protected]>
Date: September 6, 2025 at 7:21:45 AM PDT
To: Sarah Krietor <[email protected]>
Cc: Tim Haines <[email protected]>
Subject: "EP25-068 Red Dot"
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
We are residents at 445 9th St. Two doors down from the Haines. Their project is beautifully designed and executed. We support their application completely.
Cory & Emily Grant
Cory C. Grant J.D.
Founder & Partner
Grant Partners
777 S. Highway 101, Suite 201
Solana Beach, CA 92075
800-423-4890
858-350-4000 x101
858-350-0670 F
619-992-3794 C
https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.grantpartner sinc.com%2F&data=05%7C02%7CSkrietor%40delmar.ca.us%7Ccad157af7149418314eb 08dded50b2c3%7Ce57e47ceaae64f7392493b679aab1eb4%7C0%7C0%7C63892765304 7817089%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMD AwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata =xnxMnSJhbjvlOdhQqqXZUXZ5jqd9ioahiE9dex5hmB0%3D&reserved=0 September 8, 2025 Item 6
Regarding Item 6 Encroachment Permit (EP25-068)
Dear City Council,
My husband, Nigel Hook, and I have lived at 635 Hoska Drive for over 25 years. We are neighbors and friends of Jayne and Tim Haines, and we fully support their request to retain their long-standing retaining wall and its short extension within the public right-of-way.
Here’s the background: After the Palisades and Eaton fires, and Cal Fire’s designation of Hoska Drive as a very high fire hazard zone, Jayne and Tim responsibly removed a huge pine tree whose branches hung over their home. That led to necessary walkway repairs and, from there, general property maintenance: landscaping, new permeable pavers, resurfacing the existing retaining wall, and adding a small 8-inch extension, about four feet long, to help the wall blend with the terrain.
These are proactive steps that reduce fire fuel in Zone 0 and improve the neighborhood’s appearance.
This wall has stood for 33 years. So why are we here?
The only reason it’s suddenly an issue is that Del Mar operates on a complaint-driven system. When construction caught someone’s eye, a complaint was filed. No encroachment permit was on record, so the Haines submitted an encroachment application.
Staff agreed the application meets four of the six required findings, including safety, neighborhood appearance, and neighborhood character. Staff denied the application on findings 2 and 5. (2) unreasonably interfere with the intended use of the City right-of-way (5) be a detriment of the interests of the general public.
Stating:
“It is standard City practice to require a minimum five (5) foot clearance from the edge of the paved street and/or curb (if one exists) to allow for parked vehicles to have room to open passenger side doors and for pedestrians to have safe area to exit the paved street when needed to avoid passing vehicles.” Explaining:
“In this scenario, the wall encroaches 21 inches into the right-of-way leaving approximately 39 inches of “clear” area from the back of curb. In addition, should the City want to widen the street in the future, the encroaching wall would be a limiting factor.”
FINDING 2
Typically, a city uses the public right-of-way for roadways, sidewalks, and utilities. There are no plans to build a sidewalk on Hoska Drive, and without an intended use, there can be no interference.
Based on this, finding 2 can be made.
FINDING 5
Staff’s denial of finding 5 is about safe pedestrian passage and opening of car doors, which they site under City Council’s Policy 110 - Private Encroachments into City Rights-of-Way. https://www.delmar.ca.us/DocumentCenter/View/1956/110-Private-Encroachments-Into-City-Rights-of-Way-PDF September 8, 2025 Item 6
While Policy 110 addresses safe pedestrian passage, it
makes no mention of car doors or “allowing parked
vehicles to have room to open passenger side doors.”
I was also unable to find any ordinance or policy on car doors. What I did find is Del Mar’s documented Parking
Lot Layout, which specifies the required width of parking stalls:
https://www.delmar.ca.us/DocumentCenter/View/1047/ParkingLayout-for-Parking-Space-Design-PDF Since parking along a curb is essentially be the same as straight stalls, the zero degree column would apply,
making the required width 9 feet, or 108 inches.
Car Width by Vehicle Type
Compact Cars: Typically, 5.6 to 6.0 feet wide (72”)
Mid-size Sedans: Around 5.8 to 6.0 feet wide (72
SUVs: Roughly 6.0 to 6.5 feet wide (78”)
Full-size SUVs: Can be 6.4 to 6.8 feet wide or more (81.6”) The diagram below depicts two 108-inch stalls with an average-sized car (72 inches each) parked in each.
Assuming cars are parked squarely, there would be about 36 inches of “clear area” between them.
Staff’s own measurements show nearly 39 inches of clearance where pedestrians may step and car doors may open, which is more than the City’s own parking standards. Therefore, finding 5 can be made.
FINDING 6
The Staff Report also raised concerns that may relate to finding 6: Encroachments that create the impression that the area is reserved solely for private use should not be authorized unless the City Council finds a public benefit. Policy 110 prohibits walls or hedges that privatize the right-of-way and also provides examples of “acceptable” as well as “unacceptable” encroachments.
Years ago, the Haines removed a tall hedge that created a privatization problem. With the new landscaping plan in front of the low site wall, the result is the opposite and is an acceptable encroachment under Policy 110. The design opens the frontage, improves the streetscape, and makes clear that the area remains public. The front of the home now has curb appeal and is a benefit to our neighborhood.
Since there is no impression of private use, finding 6 can be made.
September 8, 2025 Item 6
Meanwhile, there are genuine public right-of-way encroachments in this same area, including many tall hedges that create a fire risk, block sightlines at driveways and curves, and pose real dangers to pedestrian and driver safety.
These are the types of violations that findings 2, 5, and 6 were meant to address.
For 33 years this wall has caused no issues. Jayne and Tim have reduced fire risk, improved safety and sightlines, and enhanced the neighborhood. With clear neighbor support, we respectfully ask you to approve their encroachment permit so this positive work can continue to benefit the community.
Respectfully,
Janet Wilson & Nigel Hook
635 Hoska Dr.
September 8, 2025 Item 6
1 Leslie Carrillo
From: Catherine Cramton <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, September 7, 2025 11:04 AM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: Red Dot concerning item EP25-068
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear Members of the City Council,
The agenda for the September 8, 2025 City Council meeting includes an application for Encroachment Permit 25-068, filed by our neighbors Jayne and Tim Haines, who live at 610 Hoska Drive. We live at 901 Highland Avenue, the property directly to the west of the Haines property.
We have lived at 901 Highland Avenue for only five years so we cannot speak to the landscape there before we moved to Del Mar. We also were away for several weeks in Spring 2025, when most of the work on the Haines property took place, so we cannot speak to those matters. However, we firmly support granting of the Encroachment Permit.
Our first concern is the preservation of the lovely Magnolia tree at the west corner of the Haines property, whose roots have been found to be entwined around a retaining wall that has been in place for many years. For details, I refer you to Jayne's letter and the arborist's report. In the past six months, we have lost two large trees at the west end of Hoska Street. The Magnolia tree beautifies an increasing flat landscape at that point and provides shade and habitat for the winged creatures we depend on and value (see Jayne's letter for details).
Secondly, the Haines property has always been attractive and well-maintained and the proportions of the repointed landscaping seem to us identical to what was there before. The placement of the needed retaining walls do not interfere with parking or walking in that area in our daily experience.
Thank you for your consideration,
Catherine and Peter Cramton
901 Highland Avenue
Del Mar
September 8, 2025 Item 6
1 Leslie Carrillo
From: Sarah Krietor
Sent: Monday, September 8, 2025 8:51 AM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: FW: Jayne Haines tree and wall
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
Red Dot for Item 6
-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Urkov <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 6, 2025 3:34 PM
To: Sarah Krietor <[email protected]>
Subject: Jayne Haines tree and wall
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organizaƟon. Do not click links or open aƩachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Sent from my iPhone
I am wriƟng in support of keeping my neighbor’s tree and wall as is on Hoska Dr. I have lived here for the last 10 years and there is no reason for change. It’s a beauƟful tree that does not impact traffic safety, anyone’s view, etc. the tree is an asset to the neighborhood. Thank you…
Michael Urkov
641 Hoska Dr
Del Mar, Ca 92014
September 8, 2025 Item 6
1 Leslie Carrillo
From: Jayne Haines <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 8, 2025 10:32 AM
To: City Clerk Mail Box; Sarah Krietor; Dan Quirk; Tracy Martinez; Terry Gaasterland; John Spelich
Subject: EP25-068 Package
Attachments: arborist report-Haines.pdf; Neighborhood Petition EP25-068.pdf; Plot Map EP25-068.pdf
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
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Here is my package for today's presentation. It includes arborist report, plot map and neighborhood signed petition.
Thank you,
Jayne Haines
--
Jayne Haines
(858) 774-3440
September 8, 2025 Item 6
September 8, 2025 Item 6
September 8, 2025 Item 6
September 8, 2025 Item 6
September 8, 2025 Item 6
September 8, 2025 Item 6
September 8, 2025 Item 6
City Council Presentation
9/8/2025
EP25-068 Haines Residence
September 8, 2025 Item 6
Exhibit A
16” clearance beyond fully opened door, looking east
2 September 8, 2025 Item 6
Exhibit B
Plot Map of Support
3 September 8, 2025 Item 6
Maggie
4 September 8, 2025 Item 6
View of Existing Wall -2015
Pre-maintenance
5 September 8, 2025 Item 6
6 Tree Ring 2015-2019
September 8, 2025 Item 6
Planned Extension
4’ long, 8” high
September 8, 2025 Item 6
Pine Tree Root Damage
7 September 8, 2025 Item 6
Thank you for your consideration
September 8, 2025 Item 6
1 Robert Silva
From: Ann Feeney <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, September 4, 2025 6:17 PM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: Red dot for Item #9
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
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I am glad that the Shores Park Master Plan process will begin again. I support the recommendations of staff and Council members to have 5 voting members on the Ad Hoc Committee, one of whom will be a member of the Parks and Rec Advisory Committee. I am also glad that one of the non-voting members will be a representative of the users of the Del Mar Community Building.
In addition, I agree with the Tier 1 designations as listed. I would like to suggest that a general purpose room that can be used for community programming and activities be moved up to Tier 1 from Tier 2 as it is currently listed, as this would be a benefit to our residents for activities and meetings.
I look forward to moving the Shores Park into reality.
Sincerely,
Ann Feeney
524 Rimini Rd
September 8, 2025 Item 9
1 Leslie Carrillo
From: Mary Friestedt <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 6, 2025 9:50 AM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: Red Dot for Item #9
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
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I support the recommendations of the staff and Council members to have five voting members on the Ad Hoc Committee, one of whom will be a member of the Parks and Rec Advisory Committee. I also
support appointing a sixth non-voting member to the Ad Hoc Committee to be a representative of the users of the Del Mar Community Building.
Sincerely,
Mary Friestedt
328 Bellaire Street
September 8, 2025 Item 9
Mission Statement: To discover, record, collect, preserve, perpetuate, and display for public benefit the historical facts, artifacts, properties, and other material concerning the history of the village of Del Mar.
Del Mar City Council
1040 Camino del Mar
Del Mar, CA 92014
6 September 2025
Honorable Mayor and City Council:
The Del Mar Historical Society (DMHS) requests the inclusion of the Alvarado House in the Reaffirmation of Guiding Principles and Preferred Park Amenities for the Shores Park Master Plan.
The Alvarado House was included in the original plan. DMHS later requested that it be removed from the plan after the architects for the new Civic Center allocated space for Alvarado House in Expansion Area C.
Apparently, Expansion Area C is no longer available for Alvarado House because of the affordable housing issue.
To minimize the loss of “open space” we propose to place the Alvarado House on the unused slope between the upper and lower portions of the park. I have attached drawings showing the location and architectural elevations showing a possible configuration. The front of the house would face east and be at the same elevation as the upper park.
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration,
Larry Brooks
President, DMHS
Attachments:
• Map with Alvarado House
• East elevation
• West elevation
• North elevation
September 8, 2025 Item 9
Mission Statement: To discover, record, collect, preserve, perpetuate, and display for public benefit the historical facts, artifacts, properties, and other material concerning the history of the village of Del Mar.
September 8, 2025 Item 9
Mission Statement: To discover, record, collect, preserve, perpetuate, and display for public benefit the historical facts, artifacts, properties, and other material concerning the history of the village of Del Mar.
September 8, 2025 Item 9
1 Leslie Carrillo
From: Arlene Prater <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 8, 2025 8:38 AM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: Red Dot for Item #9 on 9/8 City Council Meeting Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
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I am the Chair of the City’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. At the Committee’s September 3, 2025 meeting, we were provided with a staff update on the Shores Park Master Plan process and the matter that is on the Council’s September 8 Agenda as Item # 9. All Committee members expressed strong support of staff’s proposal to have one member of our Committee as a voting member of any new Committee formed by the Council. It is important to the process that the City have a least one member of this Committee on any new committee that is formed to work on the Shores Park Master Plan because of our expertise, interest and experience. Thank you. Arlene Prater
September 8, 2025 Item 9
1 Leslie Carrillo
From: Susanne Stevenson <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 8, 2025 10:08 AM
To: City Clerk Mail Box
Subject: Del Mar Historical Society
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
The Del Mar City Council
1040 Camino del Mar
Del Mar, CA 92014
September 8, 2025
Honorable Mayor Gaasterland, Deputy Mayor Martinez, Council Member Quirk and Council Member Spelich:
As a long-time member of the Del Mar Historical Society, I am writing today with a respectful and heartfelt request: that you consider incorporating the Alvarado House into the Shores Park Master Plan.
Del Mar is the only city in the San Dieguito region that does not have a permanent building for its Historical Society. There is no place where Del Mar’s school children can visit a living museum of the kind of home where kids like them used to live in the “olden days.” There is no place where visitors can drop in to a living history museum to learn about Del Mar’s unique story as they stroll through the town on a holiday. We have no place to display and share the many colorful and unique artifacts of Del Mar’s past.
We very much hope that you will be the Del Mar City Council group that finally helps us on our way to finding the permanent home for the Alvarado House that Del Mar residents and visitors deserve.
Thank you very much for your time, and for considering this request.
Respectfully,
Susanne Stevenson
Del Mar Historical Society
September 8, 2025 Item 9
8 Sept 2025
Del Mar City Council
1040 Camino del Mar
Del Mar, CA 92014
To: [email protected]
Subject: RED DOT ITEM for Agenda 9
Honorable Mayor and City Council,
With renewed discussion about Shores Park, we wish to propose that the city focus on construcPng a new building to replace the current one at 225 9th Street, which we feel is inadequate and anPquated. We propose that the La Jolla Community Center building serve as a model for a new Del Mar Community Center building.
The La Jolla Community Center, at 6811 La Jolla Blvd., is a gem. What is wonderful and inviPng about the structure is the large, central atrium—the courtyard—with outdoor tables and colorful shade cloth hanging above. ConPnuous glass windows and doors face the courtyard, making the enPre space seem very open. One wall of the courtyard can open up into a room used for meePngs, talks, and small music concerts. Offices line the building periphery of the building. Pieces of artwork line three of the hallway walls on the side opposite the courtyard.
Such a building would serve the needs of a new community building idenPfied in the stated plan: an indoor mee1ng/recrea1onal community space; and a general purpose room that can be used for community programming and acPviPes (such as exercise classes, cooking classes, meePngs, arts and culture, etc.). The many Del Mar SociePes, including Del Mar Community ConnecPons, could have office space and meePng space in this new building.
These descripPons are inadequate, so we urge that the city council and those involved in the planning of Shores Park to please make a field trip to the La Jolla Community Center building to see what a stellar structure it is ... to see, as we think, that this could serve as a model, to be amended as we see fit, for a new Community Center building in Del Mar.
Such a building would serve the needs for, but not be limited to, the fastest growing demographic in the country: senior ciPzens. It would provide office and meePng places for our many Del Mar SociePes. It would serve as an inviPng cultural center, for art, music, and informaPve lectures.
Let us take on the challenge of construcPng something both funcPonal and beauPful. We are Del MarPans. Let's think big, not small!
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Michael Simpson & Carol Kerridge
Acachment: Overlay of exisPng La Jolla Community Center building at the exisPng locaPon, Shores Park.
September 8, 2025 Item 9
0 15 30 60
SCALE : 1" = 30'-0"
SHORES PARK 4.11.2017
A A’
GARAGE
WALK GARDENS WALK WALK
WALK
CLASSROOMS
TURF PLAY ON SLOPE STRATFORD CT. SLOPE SLOPE CAMINO
DEL MAR
ADMIN. WINSTON SCHOOL
SECTION AA’
+109 +112
+142 +144
+158
EXCLUSIVE OR
SHARED USE
DOG PARK
ENTRY
COURT
ENTRY
GARDENS
PLAY
OVERLOOK
BENCHES
SHADE
STRUCTURE
PLAY ON
SLOPE
COMMUNITY
BLDG
MULTI-USE
COURT
2 STORY
EXISTING
TORREY
PINE TREE TO
REMAIN
TURF
DROP OFF
RAIN
GARDEN
RAMP TO
GARAGE BELOW
CLASSROOMS
CLASSROOMS
MULTI-PURPOSE
THEATRE
SIGNATURE
STRUCTURE/
PICNIC
EXISTING
OFFICE
EXISTING WINSTON
SCHOOL BOUNDARY
RECONFIGURE SIDEWALK ALONG 9TH STREET
TO REMOVE CHANNEL
EXISTING
TORREY
PINE TREE TO
REMAIN
EXISTING
TORREY
PINE TREE TO
REMAIN
SHORES PARK
2018.03.12
9TH ST.
CAMINO DEL MAR
RESIDENTIAL HOTEL
0 15 30 45
Scale: 1” = 30’-0” N
PARK PROGRAM - CONCEPT A
WINSTON
SCHOOL
STRATFORD CT.
+(137) +(140)
0.8 AC
0.6 AC
+ 147
+ 145
8% RAMP
5% MAX.
5% MAX.
5% MAX.
5% MAX.
5% MAX.
8% RAMP
8% RAMP
+ 142
+ 134
+ 137
+ 139
+ 112
+ 115 + 130
+ 143
PUBLIC
RESTROOM
+134
+136 +138
+140
+141
+142
+144
+152
4,700 SF
+144 FF
+144.5
ELEVATOR
FROM
GARAGE
6’ HT.
FENCE
8’ HT.
FENCE
1-2’ HT.
THICKENED
EDGE
3’ HT.
RETAINING
WALLS
2’ HT.
RETAINING
WALL
2.5’ - 5’ HT.
RETAINING
WALL
6’ HT. FENCE
WITH SCREENING
SHRUBS IN FRONT
3’-6’ SEATWALL &
RETAINING WALL
12’ HT.
RETAINING
WALL
3’ - 15’ HT.
RETAINING
WALL
+144
+(135) +(145)
+(116)
+(120) +(125)
+(112)
+(112)
+(160)
+(159)
+(158)
ADMIN.
127 ROOF
112 FF +
142 ROOF
127 FF +
127 ROOF
112 FF + 134 ROOF
112 FF +
112 SCHOOL PLAZA
100 GARAGE FF +
155 ROOF DECK
141 FF +
LIMIT OF
GARAGE BELOW
Del Mar Community Center
100’
100’
40’
40’
September 8, 2025 Item 9
Del Mar City Council
1040 Camino del Mar
Del Mar, CA 92014
6 September 2025
Honorable Mayor and City Council:
Del Mar has such a rich, diverse, beautiful history. The Alvarado House is a prime interactive multigenerational example and symbol of some of that early founding history, and it continues to connect generations today. It's been maintained and loved over the decades that when you look at her, and especially when you walk inside, you are transported back into what it must have felt like to live here in Del Mar in the late 1800's and early 1900's. People from all over the county and even from around the country make a point to revisit her whenever they can after their first introduction to her as they feel connected to the nostalgia (some connect personally or it resembles a grandparent's home), the layers of history showcased in different chapters of vintage photographs and well-kept historic furnishings, and the positive experience and storytelling they exchange with our gracious, knowledgeable Docents are irreplaceable. This is one month a year inside the Fair. Imagine if this was a regular daily, weekly occurrence year-round! The amount of attraction this jewel house will further draw and be a central hub to connect our fascinating past with our present and future. The Alvarado House is the heart of Del Mar.
The La Jolla Historical Society flourishes with their Wisteria Cottage in their community and beyond, and several other communities, too (Encinitas, Poway, Solana Beach, Old Town, Amici House in Little Italy, etc.) ~ Why in the world would Del Mar not proudly and respectfully be doing the same with this amazing house and opportunity?
I hope you will seriously consider this.
Thank you so much for your time.
Sincerely,
~ Dominique Valentino
Secretary, Del Mar Historical Society
September 8, 2025 Item 9