Encinitas residents are putting up a fight against new development plans that they fear will make their city loud and full of traffic.
A meeting was held at Encinitas City Hall Tuesday night that was intended to get residents involved in those housing plans, but residents that spoke to NBC 7 said they want nothing to do with it.
"I mean, you've seen Encinitas Blvd and El Camino Real," said Kathy Montanez. "It's, there's a lot of speed on that road. I mean, I don't want to see that here."
Montanez and residents like her said they live in the area because it's quiet. But the housing element implemented by the state of California will mean rezoning areas of Encinitas to build more affordable housing.
"That's what everybody gets tripped over," said resident Jeni Hawkes. "Everybody thinks, 'oh affordable housing is good for people who are struggling,' but it's not. Affordable housing just means apartments are cheaper than houses."
City officials from Encinitas were not willing to interview, but according to their website, the Encinitas general housing plan has not been updated since the 1990's and it is needed to accommodate the growing population.
Federal, state and local housing plans and grants have been worked together to create safe and sanitary housing for low income families. Federal assistance programs such as teh Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnership programs and Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) make housing possible for families who otherwise could not afford it.
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According to the City of San Diego's affordable housing website, the Section 8 program alone pays the rent for 14,626 low income families and another 41,000 are on a waiting list.
The Encinitas plan includes developing hundreds of dense housing units in partnership with these programs.
But Hawkes says she doesn't get it.
"I don't understand why we have so many apartments in Encinitas, and we have so many vacancies," she told NBC 7.
And because affordable housing is mandated by the state, other communites may be facing the same issues.
Montanez said she's concerned with the traffic and the safety of the children in the area.
"We have young kids here who ride up and down the street on their scooters or bicycles," Montanez said. "It's busy enough on Encinitas Blvd. I don't want to see that happen here."
City council member Mark Muir said involving the community in creating a plan that meets the state law and completion dates is a great idea.
The process will be long and residents will get a chance to vote on the housing plan in the November 2016 election.
For information on how to get involved, click here.
