Terry Gaasterland
(Courtesy of Terry Gaasterland)
Del Mar Councilmember Terry Gaasterland is seeking a third term in a four-candidate race for two seats in the November election. In addition to the seat Gaasterland wants to keep, there is one open seat that has been open since the sudden resignation of Dwight Worden two years ago.
The other three candidates Meghan Spieker, Jeff Sturgis and Jas Grewal responded to questions from the Del Mar Times about how they would approach the key issues facing the city if they are elected in a piece that ran in last week’s paper (Oct. 15 issue) and online. Gaasterland’s response came in after press time for last week’s paper.
The Del Mar Times asked Gaasterland five questions about her time so far on the council and some of the top priorities in the city:
What would you list as your top achievements from your first two terms?
Gaasterland: Over the last two terms, I have worked together with my fellow councilmembers to protect eight riparian acres (of 16 acres) from high-density residential development in the North Commercial zone; protected legal sea walls with no managed retreat as Sea Level Rise Chair and on the City Council, supported a “Living Levee” along the San Dieguito River south bank to protect the Beach Colony from river flooding; fought for the Coastal Commission to require new legal access across the railroad tracks to the beach as mitigation for the loss of acres of beach behind sea walls in SANDAG’s Del Mar Bluff Stabilization Project; made sure that bluff-top fencing will never be more than low post-and-cable to mark unsafe spots, modernized restaurant parking requirements to support a vibrant, walkable downtown; updated Scenic View ordinance to protect property values and community character; pushed to create the fire evacuation plan for Crest Canyon neighborhoods including Oribia and San Dieguito; and completed utility undergrounding along south Stratford with projects underway or in design for Crest Canyon, north Stratford, and the Beach Colony.
How would you want the council to manage the implementation of state housing laws, which increasingly require cities to accommodate more density, with Del Mar’s community plan?
Gaasterland: Seasonal jobs at the Fairgrounds, some as brief as 3 days for a concert event, doubled Del Mar’s housing allocation in 2018. The formulas for housing unit allocations must be corrected to reflect year-round long-term jobs for the next 7th Cycle housing plan that will start July 1, 2029. Meanwhile, in the current cycle, the City together with the Fairgrounds accepted a $1.5 million grant from the State and studied five one-acre sites on the 330-acre Fairgrounds property to assess the feasibly of up to 61 affordable housing units on each site. The results showed that over 300 lower income affordable units are possible on those five sites. Therefore, the capacity has been demonstrated. Hopefully, the established capacity will be sufficient for the current 6th Cycle housing plan.
Besides utility undergrounding, what are some of the important infrastructure projects you would want to prioritize?
Gaasterland: First, my top priority is to finish removing the utility poles and wires throughout all neighborhoods in Del Mar as quickly as funding allows. The funding mechanism was made possible 10 years ago when the City’s residents passed Measure Q, a one-cent sales tax that generates over $3 million per year. When a new district is launched, the longest phase is the up-front design phase. I am advocating that we initiate schematic design of each upcoming district early enough so that design is never the bottleneck and plans are ready when construction funding becomes available. Many residents have waited far too long.
Beyond utility undergrounding, I will prioritize that we launch a comprehensive plan to repair our neighborhood roads using the $3 million already set aside; maintain our beaches through sand replenishment and protect homes from upstream river flooding with a levee along the south bank of the San Dieguito River; demand safe railroad crossings to access bluff trails and the beach below; and establish a firm, approved plan to relocate railroad tracks without tunnelling under any Del Mar homes and no eminent domain.
How would you assess your time as Del Mar’s representative on SANDAG, and would you plan to continue in that role?
Gaasterland: Serving on the SANDAG Board of Directors has been challenging and fulfilling. Transportation and public transit in San Diego County affect all 3.3 million residents. Freight and border crossing affect our local, regional, and state economy. SANDAG’s mission is to plan for and implement highway, railroad, and regional road systems to meet the needs of everyone in the County with attention to all 18 cities in San Diego County and the unincorporated county communities. That is a far-reaching, impactful responsibility.
The state of California mandates greenhouse gas reduction goals that SANDAG must plan to achieve. Those goals drive all of the planning whether we like it or not.
On SANDAG, I ask questions. Lots of thoughtful questions that seek to better understand options, constraints, and opportunities. My fellow Board members have expressed to me that they welcome the questions and benefit from SANDAG staff answers.
Del Mar has been impacted by multiple SANDAG projects during my time in office, particularly Bluff Stabilization with long seawalls and bluff-top drainage structures, and planning for railroad relocation. I have always advocated for the well-being of Del Mar residents as these projects unfold and always will.
How would you as a council member handle the LOSSAN rail realignment?
Gaasterland: Tunneling under homes or businesses in Del Mar is unacceptable. The only approach to realignment that makes sense is to go around Del Mar along the San Dieguito River and over to the I-5 as far north as possible. Del Mar needs a firm, approved plan that will ensure no tunnels, no eminent domain of anyone’s homes, and no doubletracking on Del Mar Bluffs.