Phil Diehl

5 days ago | sandiegouniontribune.com | Phil Diehl

The Oceanside City Council has denied a request by residents to overturn the Planning Commission’s approval of a 199 all-affordable apartments proposed for vacant property near the College Boulevard Sprinter Station. Many of the project’s opponents live on Olive Drive, a short street off College Boulevard, that will provide the only access to the apartments. Many of them pushed for the city to require the developer to include a second access road to the development called Olive Park Apartments.

6 days ago | sandiegouniontribune.com | Phil Diehl

Oceanside will fly the rainbow flag at City Hall for the first time in June to recognize Pride month after a parade of emotional speakers led to the City Council’s 3-2 decision. Some people said the Pride flag is a symbol of unity, love, safety and acceptance. Others called the banner divisive and said it represents special interest groups, pedophilia and the sexual grooming of school-age children.

1 week ago | sandiegouniontribune.com | Phil Diehl

Beach restoration and solutions for homelessness were among priorities discussed when the Oceanside City Council got its first look at the proposed budget for fiscal 2025-26. Both issues will get a fresh dose of dollars thanks to increasing revenue from Measure X, a half-cent sales tax approved by Oceanside voters to help pay for public safety, homelessness services and capital improvements.

1 week ago | sandiegouniontribune.com | Phil Diehl

A 27-year-old ban on new drive-thru restaurants in Carlsbad has been lifted by the City Council’s agreement to consider applications on a case-by-case basis. The council voted 3-2 Tuesday, with members Teresa Acosta and Priya Bhat-Patel opposed, to issue individual conditional-use permits and zoning amendments approved by the council for specific locations. The proposal does not affect restaurants in the downtown Village and Barrio, which have a separate master plan for the uses allowed there.

1 week ago | sandiegouniontribune.com | Phil Diehl

Downtown Oceanside has seen a renaissance in the last decade and that growth could continue with the proposed construction of two seven-story, mixed-use developments four blocks apart on Mission Avenue. Together, the projects will bring 562 apartments along with more restaurants, offices and retail shops. Both proposals are making their way through the city’s planning division and advisory groups and could go to the Oceanside City Council for approval by the end of the year.