The developer of the controversial 85-15 plan has conceded a special election on the future of the Agua Hedionda Lagoon.
Last Tuesday, residents went to the polls to vote on the controversial "measure A" that would have developed the Agua Hedionda Lagoon area, created by created by developer Rick Caruso.
Monday morning, Caruso called leadership for the Citizens of North County and congratulated them on their campaign.
"While we had hoped for a different outcome, we are proud of our effort, our plan, the integrity of our message, and we are thankful for the great friends and supporters we have made over the past four years," Caruso said in a statement. "We are very grateful for their support and hard work.”
The San Diego Registrar of Voters is expected to release the final results in the election Monday. The San Diego County Registrar of Voters' Office has been counting thousands of provisional ballots, which require additional review before counting.
As of 3:45 p.m. Monday, the registrar said 51.99 percent of Carlsbad residents have voted no on the measure, and 48.01 percent have voted yes. There are still approximately 300 mail and provisional ballots to be counted.
The registrar has 30 days to certify the election results.
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Opponents of the plan, which would build an outdoor shopping center that would overlook the Agua Hedionda Lagoon, said in a statement they were happy to prevail with their grassroots campaign and glad voters voiced their thoughts on developing land where the strawberry fields once grew.
“The message from Carlsbad voters is that it’s not okay to sidestep our city’s general plan, zoning regulations and planning process that have made this such a wonderful place to live," said De’Ann Weimer from Citizens for North County in a statement. "I hope we never again see an attempt to exploit loopholes in local and state law to ram through an inappropriate project.”
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, say 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.
Opponents say moving forward without an environmental plan could set a precedent for development decisions across the state.
If the measure does not pass, land-use would remain as is today and the development company can resubmit its development plan or end its contract with SDG&E. Another party could purchase the area.
