CARLSBAD, Calif. (KGTV) - Renting an apartment near the North County coast is out of reach for many San Diego families, but one expensive coastal city may add nearly 100 affordable apartments a half-mile from the beach.
The Carlsbad City Council on Tuesday may support a project called Pacific Wind, which would demolish 22 aging duplexes near Tamarack Avenue and build a complex for affordable housing.
Cambrin Riddle lives in one of the duplexes, which are also affordable rentals. That means he and his family would get first dibs on the new apartments if they qualify.
"I think it'll be a beautiful place for people to come back and just live here more peacefully," Riddle said.
The Carlsbad Planning Commission approved the project in April, but a group of residents appealed based on concerns over size, parking and traffic because the complex will close off one of the city's streets.
Emilio Gonzalez and his family could end up living in its shadow because he didn't accept developer Harding Street Neighbors' offer to build over his duplex.
"Where am I going to find a house for $430,000?" he said. "I own a duplex. Two houses. Where am I going to find two houses for $430,000?"
City spokeswoman Kristina Ray said the new project would be income-restricted to 60 percent area median income, so a family of four earning about $54,540 a year would be eligible. She said the best way to track availability is to visit the city's affordable housing website and sign up for its newsletter.
The staff report recommends the council reject the appeal and support the project.
