Carlsbad Mayor Apologizes to Residents Over Measure A

"If an apology is what it takes to being us all back together, I will say that a thousand times," said Mayor Matt Hall

The mayor of Carlsbad apologized to residents for a contentious, costly special election over a controversial proposal to develop the iconic Agua Hedionda land. 

"If an apology is what it takes to being us all back together, I will say that a thousand times," said Mayor Matt Hall, who has been in office since 2010. 

Only a few thousand votes separated the 'yes' votes from the 'no' votes on Feb. 29, when Carlsbad voters went to the polls to vote on the 85/15 Agua Hedionda plan, which later became known as Measure A. The registrar has 30 days to certify the election results.

The proposal, created by developer Rick Caruso, divided the community in the weeks leading up to the election, with accusations of signs found ripped from the ground or vandalized. 

After listening to a series of public comments at Tuesday's city council meeting, Hall said he clearly saw every resident's passion on the issue. 

"The point I’m trying to make in this is that obviously this issue was very heartfelt, but there’s been many issues we’ve agreed upon and there’s been many issues that we’ve had differences," he said.

The "Yes on Measure A" effort was a well-funded campaign backed by Caruso, while the opposition was supported by a grassroots campaign run by those who did not want a mall on the stretch of fields. 

The Carlsbad City Council approved the project unanimously in August, but after opponents gathered signatures, the council agreed to put it to a city-wide vote and opposition has been fierce.

Through a signature drive, Caruso bypassed the typical extensive environmental review, known as CEQA, and the public input that goes along with it.

Proponents of the Agua Hedionda project, including the owner of the Carlsbad Strawberry Company, said the shops will be built on about 30 acres, leaving 85 percent of the land reserved for things like hiking trails, an outdoor classroom, amphitheaters and natural space.

During two public comment periods, residents expressed anger at the panel's support for the project, saying their elected representatives let them down. 

"This council lead all of the citizens on a perilous path that has divided our city as never before. The entire population of Carlsbad was deliberately deceived by the vague and questionable claims of a developer regarding his project," said one resident, who identified himself as Larry during the public comment portion.

Residents were not only deceived, he said, but pitted against each other by those involved in the process. 

"We all wanted to save the lagoon," said a commentator who identified herself as Vicky. 

She said she spent hours talking to people on both sides of the battle, and the unifying factor for many was that they wanted to see the iconic land preserved. 

"Please [start the healing process]," Vicky said. "And this time, please make it a truly open and truly inclusive process to include all the citizens." 

Hall spoke after hearing from commentators, saying he had already spoken privately with more than 50 people and planned on speaking with more. 

"What I would ask for each and every one of us, if you would like to sit down with me and talk this through one of one or together, I’d be more than happy to do that," Hall said. 

Hall said he valued the unity and passion residents expressed and hoped they could move forward. 

"At the end of the day, we came back together and we were willing to work together. That would be my commitment to you," Hall said.

Land-use now remains as is today and the development company can resubmit its development plan or end its contract with SD&E. Another party could purchase the area.

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