Approval Granted for 120 Townhomes Near South Ponto Beach by California Coastal Commission

The California Coastal Commission provided a regulatory approval for the construction of 120 rental townhomes, including 24 affordable units, by developer H.G. Fenton Co. during a meeting in Oceanside on Thursday. The decision was made with a 7-4 vote, despite residents advocating for the preservation of this land as an open space for a park.

At the meeting, nearly 100 attendees voiced their concerns, highlighting the absence of coastal parks in South Carlsbad. Michael Sebahar, a co-founder of the group People for Ponto, expressed frustration regarding the nearest park’s distance, stating that it was over 2 miles away. The commission acknowledged these concerns but emphasized that their role focuses on coastal resources rather than land-use decisions. H.G. Fenton stated it plans to incorporate native habitat preservation and community trails in addition to the housing development, while the city noted that the land is privately owned and cannot be mandated for park creation.