Archive for August, 2008
Carlsbad’s new high school to be delayed
August 27th, 2008 Categories: Carlsbad Business Community, Carlsbad Community Events, Carlsbad Outdoor Events, Carlsbad schools
CARLSBAD– Starting back in the 90’s Carlsbad initiated a habit plan in the Calavera Hills Preserve for the California gnatcatcher. More recently an 
area in the southeast section of the Calavera Hills area was designated a habitat area for the least Bell’s vireo. This area was part of a mitigation plan for the recent development of Calavera Hills and Robertson Ranch project.
The good news is the habitat efforts seem to be working as two nests for the vireo as well as gnatcatcher were recently found in the designated habitat area and in an adjacent property currently used for farming.
The bad new is that this property is the site of and adjacent property designated for the new high school Carlsbad voters approved in proposition P.
In what for me, a Carlsbad homeowner and supporter of Prop P, can only be summed up as “you’ve got to be kidding me”, the success of these habitat programs and proximity to a major aspect of the school site is now delaying the construction of the new high school and may alter the planned facilities permanently. It is very surprising that this habitat and its potential impact was seemingly not taken into account when designing and spending Prop P money on the development of the site plan. Between the fencing and signage 
the boundaries of the habitat are very apparent. I could absolutely understand if the district released a best case site plan and a separate contingent site plan. However I can find no evidence that this was done.
The school district on August 18th released their own statement regarding this ‘new‘ information and its possible effects on the construction. Firstly, there will be a delay in construction of approximately a year which they believe will add approximately 3–4% to construction costs. Additionally, I would predict construction cost may as be effected if there are mitigation costs and site adjustments that will need to be added to the site to help maintain these habitat sites. Secondly, there will most like be changes made to the facilities planned for the site with the possibility that the proposed football stadium will have to be cut from the plans.
“The district may have to abandon plans to build a football stadium at the new campus. According to site plans, the visitors’ bleachers border the least Bell vireo nesting sites.
“There’s obviously concerns about lighting and noise, because bleachers (during sporting events) are very noisy,” (Elisa)Williamson said.– SD Union Tribune, 8/16/2008
However, we need only to look at our new golf course to see how quickly construction costs can escalate because of time delays, habitat expenses and site changes.
Originally the Carlsbad municipal golf course was projected to cost $10 - $15 million. In 2005 when the Carlsbad City Council finally went ahead and moved forward with final construction, they were told the project’s costs would be $37 million. When actually completed late last year and opened for play, the costs had ballooned to (approximately)$63 million.– San Diego Institute For Policy Research, 2/28/2008
While walking my golden retriever, Dave, yesterday out in the Calavera area we came across two different areas where sound tests were being conducted. They seemed to be set up to monitor road noise from the Cannon College interchange. I have a call in to the school district to get further information about the sound testing and if they plan to simulate stadium noise in order to determine the potential impact.
What was Dr. Roach’s, Carlsbad school district superintendent, feelings about these developments?
It’s not surprising. The city created a special habitat there for the bird after Corky McMillin Cos. upset least Bell’s vireo habitat at its nearby Robertson Ranch housing project, Roach said. McMillin paid the city to establish the habitat as part of a mitigation agreement, he said. – SD Union Tribune, 8/16/2008
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Carlsbad’s desalination plant unanimously approved
August 23rd, 2008 Categories: Carlsbad Business Community, Carlsbad City, Carlsbad Outdoor Events, Carlsbad Real Estate
CARLSBAD– The States Land Commission unanimously approved the desalination project slated to be built on the Encina power plant site in Carlsbad. This was the final regulatory approval the project needed in order to start construction next year with the goal of water production starting in 2011.
The plant, which will produce about 50 million gallons of freshwater from 200 million gallons, will be the largest desalination in the western hemisphere according to Reuters.
With the Carlsbad project receiving final approval, this helps clear the way for approval of approximately 20 other desalination project proposed for the California coast.
Earlier this week the first of what will probably be several legal challenges was rejected by the State Water Resources Control Board. The suit filed by the Surfrider Foundation said plans to minimize environmental damage the plant would cause were 
insufficient.
The Coastal Commission also this month approved a second plant to be built on the Monterey Peninsula to provide water for a development near Cannery Row. This plant is much smaller and will produce about 25,000 a day.
While I believe these projects are necessary and I support the idea, I fear not much good will actually come from them if they are tied to development such as the Monterey project. We need new water sources to help meet our current needs. This is evident by the state’s current drought situation.
“It is easy for Sacramento to put off dealing with the water infrastructure,” Schwarzenegger said. “But as we now see, there is no more time to waste, because nothing is more vital than to protect our economy, to protect our environment, and to protect our quality of life.” -CNN.com, June, 5, 2008
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Carlsbad’s frozen home equity lines
August 21st, 2008 Categories: Carlsbad Business Community, Carlsbad Real Estate
CARLSBAD-The turn in the housing market has created a collapse in what some homeowners were hoping could be their emergency parachute; the home equity line.
The home equity line is defined as a method of borrowing in which a homeowner may borrow against home equity as needed using a checkbook or credit card. In there in lies the problem. We homeowners have lost our equity.
As a REALTOR, my income obliviously can fluctuate greatly. With the negative turn in the economy, I have at times viewed my equity line as a security blanket that I could tap in to in a worst case scenario. About 2 months ago I received notice in the mail that my equity had been frozen which actually makes me one of the fortunate.
There are situations where the money is being spent over time in for a single event such as college tuition for children or remodeling projects. In these situations the homeowner signs a long term agreement makes a payment or two and then are notified that the equity line has been frozen which is completely legal.
“Theoretically, you could have people writing checks and spending money they should not be spending. You can appeal. The No. 1 priority is to make sure that loan doesn’t default.”
Mark Goldman, a real estate finance instructor at San Diego State University, said it makes no sense for banks to notify borrowers before they reduce their line of credit.
“Of course they aren’t going to call you up and say we’re taking a look at your loan,” he said. “The borrower, upon receiving that notice, would likely draw down the remaining available balance on the home-equity line.” – San Diego Union Tribune, 8/21/2008
While I believe in honesty in all situation, if you think you may have to tap into your equity line, I would access all the money at once. To offset some of the interest costs, open a CD with the funds. This way you know you have necessary funds.
While the linked article states to periodically check with your lender to find out what your available credit is, I am not sure that is the best advice. Sometimes getting your information to percolate to the top of the stack can only lead to bad things.
As stated by Mark Goldman, “It makes no sense for the bank to notify borrowers….”, I would follow the financial institution’s protocol with the reversal of the placement of the words bank and borrowers.
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NORTH COUNTY HOME SALES TURN SKYWARD IN JULY!!!!
August 14th, 2008 Categories: Carlsbad City, Carlsbad Real Estate
CARLSBAD– I REALLY like the North County Times. No REALLY like the North County Times. See instead of creating a catching headline and article bent on the negative side of our current real estate market, they saw the bright side. The old ‘glass half full’!!!
In Tuesday’s edition of the paper, the headline read, “Area home sales jump”, and the accompanying article and chart broke it all down for us.
“Sales leaped 22 percent from the same time a year ago, the first substantial increase in sales since purchases tanked in 2006.”– North County Times, 8/13/2008
Now, I REALLY like the North County Times, and we sure could use some good news, but these jumps in numbers were not across the board.
Areas jump, while Carlsbad’s housing sales flop
Two of the three zip codes, 92083, 92084 and 92027, that saw the biggest gains, 525%, 214% and 211%, had median home sales of less than $275,000. In fact these areas, Vista and Escondido, saw all there zip codes 
make huge sales improvements.
Unfortunately, Carlsbad’s best change was 0% percent for 92009. The other three zip codes saw negative change of 18, 27 and 33 percent. Carlsbad most affordable zip code, 92010, saw the least negative change of 18%.
While the magic number seemed to be $350,000, as every zip code at or below that number saw improvement, the big number for Carlsbad seems to be $500,000, as there now are 26 single family detached homes for sale at or below that price point. A year ago this would not be the case. To take advantage of the current market, contact Brian Long for more information or further assistance.
To see all the data, click on the chart pictured. Also, if you are considering buying or selling contact your Carlsbad realtor Brian Long here.
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Carlsbad builder losing both affordable and luxury projects?
August 12th, 2008 Categories: Carlsbad Business Community, Carlsbad City, Carlsbad Real Estate
SAN DIEGO– This weekend, The North County Times reported that Carlsbad based Barrat America was close to losing its City Square project in Escondido. This once award winning project, that in August of 2007 was reported to be ‘debunking market trends’, was suppose to help anchor a revitalized and modern downtown.
City Square’s failure stems from Bank of America’s decision to freeze Barratt’s $125 million credit line, Pattinson(Barratt America CEO) said. He also questioned the bank’s motives, saying it is not interested in exploring workable solutions, such as extending the life of a loan.-North County Times, 8/10/2008
However, while in October of 2007, Barratt was announcing winning awards at one project, they apparently were not paying their sub-contractors. The NC Times article also reported that since November of 2007, 80 civil lawsuits have been filed against Barratt America and most of those have been filed by unpaid sub-contractors.
The luxury community additionally effected is Carlsbad’s Magnolia Estates. 
While looking through SANDICOR, San Diego’s MLS, for foreclosure activity, it seems as though the whole of Magnolia Estates is facing foreclosure proceedings and have lawsuits attached to them, presumably from the subcontractors looking to get paid.
Hopefully Barratt America, which has reportedly laid off 100 of its 130 employees, will be able to find new financing or work out a solution with Bank of America as neither city benefits from the blight, whether townhomes or luxury homes, decaying uninhabited.
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Carlsbad homes for sale under $500K
August 10th, 2008 Categories: Carlsbad Real Estate
CARLSBAD– As with most any news about the housing market, there are two sides. For current homeowners, we have watched the market fall and take our appreciation with it.
But for BUYERS, this drop has created opportunity for you. As of this writing there are 25 single family detached homes throughout Carlsbad ranging for the Calavera hills area to the coast. While some are in bad shape, other are in move in condition and are waiting for you.
Here is the list of CARLSBAD HOMES FOR SALE UNDER $500,000 that will be kept updated.
There are seven pages, so please make sure to use the scroll feature located at the bottom left corner.
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Carlsbad desalination plant gets coastal commission approval
August 6th, 2008 Categories: Carlsbad Beaches, Carlsbad Business Community, Carlsbad City
CARLSBAD– After a 10+ hour meeting today held at Oceanside city hall, the California coastal commission gave final approval to the desalination plant that was proposed to be built on the Encinas power plant site.
The plant will produce approximately 50 million gallons of freshwater a day from 100 million gallons of seawater. The plant will actually pump in excess of 300 million, what is is not sent through the reverse osmosis process is used to dilute the brine left over from the 
process.
To offset damage to marine life from the plant operation there will be 55.4 acre habitat restoration site to be built in two phases. One the size of Poseidon’s proposed 37 acres in the first two years and then an additional 18.4 acres added within the next five years.
With regard to a carbon offsets requirement, Poseidon stated that they will use as much solar power as possible. Also, there may be an actual energy usage reduction if you take in to account that pumps, theoretically, will no longer be necessary to bring 50 million gallons of water to San Diego daily from northern Caliornia.
The project will now go to theCalifornia State Lands commission which meets August 22nd in Los Angeles. If approved there, construction on the project should begin in mid 2009.
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Affordable 3 bedroom Carlsbad home with pool under 500K
August 5th, 2008 Categories: Carlsbad Beaches, Carlsbad Outdoor Events, Carlsbad Real Estate, Carlsbad Village
CARLSBAD– Okay, for all of you who have been sitting on the fence waiting for your opportunity to buy in Carlsbad, here it 
is!! This is not a short sale or a bank owned home.
Located just off the lagoon near Laguna Riviera park and Kelly elementary school, while great for anyone, this would make a wonderful family home where the kids could grow. Additionally, the master bedroom is located downstairs with its own backyard access just off the patio with spa.
To see this home call me at 760–415–3329
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Mayor’s back Carlsbad Desal Plant
August 2nd, 2008 Categories: Carlsbad Business Community, Carlsbad City, Carlsbad Outdoor Events
CARLSBAD– Seven regional Mayors, including Carlsbad’s Bud Lewis, got together and held a news conference Friday to ask the California Coastal Commission to finalize the conditional permit it approved in November of 2007 for the Carlsbad desalinization plant. The plant would be built on the site of the current Encinas power plant which I have written about here and here.
Funny thing, but in one of the posts I have linked above I stated that, while I think the plant needs to be built, it will create an attitude in city government that the Pacific Ocean is an unlimited supply of fresh water and in turn this philosophy will fuel continued area population expansion. Well, that and an economic turnaround.
“First, more building will take place because the thought that the Pacific Ocean is huge and we can always build another plant will permeate the governmental minds.”– Brian Long, 11/18/2007
Well how about this quote from Jerry Sanders from the San Diego Union Tribune article dated 8/1/2007.
“Seawater desalination will provide a drought-proof water supply,” Sanders said
NICE!!!
The commission will be meeting this Wednesday, 9:00 at Oceanside City Hall which is located at 300 N. Coast Highway. I would be VERY surprised if this did not get approved. Besides the water it will add much needed jobs and dollars to our community.
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