Oceanside reverses denial of high-density development

The Oceanside City Council has reversed its previous denial of a small but widely opposed high-density residential development proposed for the city’s old Loma Alta neighborhood.

The 13 single-family homes, some as tall as three stories with more than 12,000 square feet, are planned for a sloped, vacant two-acre parcel on Loma Alta Drive. Neighbors said the subdivision would be too tightly packed, creating a fire hazard, traffic hazards and an invasion of privacy for people in nearby backyards and single-story homes.

“Public safety is non-negotiable,” said Link Ladutko, a resident who appealed the city Planning Commission’s initial approval of the project. “It’s not too late to mitigate these risks … Show everyone that public safety is worth protecting.”

City planners recommended approval. They said the buildings will have fire sprinkler systems installed and will meet all applicable fire safety standards.

The city’s Planning Commission approved the Loma Alta Terraces project in October 2023, but residents appealed the decision to the City Council. The council initially upheld the appeal and overturned the Planning Commission’s decision Jan. 10.

However, the applicant modified the plan by increasing setbacks, lowering retaining walls, adding exterior highlights and other changes to the buildings and brought it back to the council.

About a dozen people spoke on the subject, and nearly all were neighborhood residents who said they op...