Public comment opens for lagoon shoreline project

An environmental document published this week for the San Dieguito Lagoon Levee, Habitat Enhancement and Trail Project is open for public comment through 5 p.m. April 17. 

The document, a Draft Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration, examines a project designed to minimize flood risks by building vegetated, earthen berms along both sides of the San Dieguito River between the railroad bridge and Jimmy Durante Boulevard. 

Considered a nature-based adaptation to river flooding and sea level rise, the planned levees—at 40 to 50 feet wide and up to 1,500 feet long—would rise two to four feet above existing grade. 

The environmental document shows pedestrian paths running atop the lengths of the berms. 

North of the river, a 15-foot-wide pedestrian trail on Del Mar Fairgrounds property would provide a new connection for the 71-mile Coast to Crest Trail.

To the south, the berm and path would replace an existing segment of Riverpath Del Mar east of the Del Mar Public Works yard. Along the fenceline of the facility, a four-foot-tall floodwall is planned. 

Open full story

SANDAG updates Council on rail projects

Representatives from SANDAG on March 17 delivered a presentation to the Del Mar City Council covering four rail-related projects:

• Del Mar Bluffs Stabilization Phase 5, which includes bluff stabilization, seawalls and drainage improvements and is expected to be substantially complete this fall;
• Del Mar Bluffs Access Improvements, for which SANDAG is studying design alternatives for a pedestrian path east of the railway from Seagrove Park to 4th Street as well as rail crossings and beach access improvements at 7th and 11th streets;
• San Dieguito Lagoon Double Track & Special Events Platform, which involves removing the aging wooden trestle spanning the lagoon and replacing it with a modern, double-tracked bridge, together with a platform to serve events at the Del Mar Fairgrounds; and the
• San Diego LOSSAN Rail Realignment, for which SANDAG is studying five alternative alignments that would move the railway off of the Del Mar bluffs.

Open presentation

Watch meeting

Tomorrow: Del Mar Recycles drop-off event

Just in time for spring cleaning and gardening, residents can offload clutter and fill up on mulch and compost during a recycling event from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 21, at the lower parking lot of Shores Park.

Residents can discard sensitive documents at a certified shredding truck, donate reusable items at a Goodwill truck and, at other stations, rid themselves of old electronics, fluorescent bulbs, household batteries and sharps.

Household hazardous waste and pharmaceuticals will not be accepted.

Don't leave with an empty vehicle! At still another station, residents can self-fill up to three barrels of mulch and compost for the garden.

An EDCO flyer provides guidelines and a complete list of items that can be dropped off.

Open flyer

NB Jimmy Durante Boulevard closures continue

Intermittent closures of northbound Jimmy Durante Boulevard between Luzon Avenue and David Way continue as crew prepare for construction on the adjacent hillside. Closures can be expected from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays through April. 

Contact Del Mar Public Works: 858-755-3294 or PublicWorksGroup@delmar.ca.us.

Monday: Overnight concrete pouring

Construction crews based at 12th Street are scheduled to work from 11 p.m. Monday through 5 a.m. Tuesday for the Del Mar Bluffs 5 Stabilization Project. A SANDAG notice states overnight concrete pouring operations also are scheduled for April 6 and 13.

Residents can expect to hear noise and see bright lights from construction equipment.

SANDAG rail construction notice: Week of March 23

In a weekly notice to the City of Del Mar, SANDAG covers planned construction activities for the Del Mar Bluffs 5 Stabilization Project and geotechnical testing for the proposed LOSSAN Rail Realignment Project.

Open weekly SANDAG notice

Open SANDAG Del Mar Bluffs Stabilization webpage 

Contact SANDAG: 858-549-RAIL or LOSSANcorridor@SANDAG.org

Crime blotter: March 12-19

Incidents: 0

Source: San Diego County Sheriff's Department

March 29: "Egg-stravaganza" at Powerhouse Park

The Del Mar Foundation is hosting its annual "Egg-stravaganza" egg hunt from 9 to 11 a.m. Sunday, March 29, at Powerhouse Park.

Open flyer

On sale now: Summer Solstice tickets

DMVA's Summer Solstice is set for 5 to 8 p.m. June 18 at Powerhouse Park. Organizers recommend purchasing tickets early for the popular event.

Open webpage

Volunteers needed for senior fair

Del Mar Community Connections is recruiting volunteers for its first-ever Del Mar Senior Fair from noon to 4 p.m. April 18 at the Del Mar Civic Center.

Organizers are seeking  people of all ages and abilities who can help with baking a Del Mar lemon cake, event outreach, set up, take down and more.

Open webpage

Traffic and Parking Advisory Committee (1 voting resident member). Closes 4:30 p.m. March 27.

Committees, Vacancies and Volunteer Requirements