ENCINITAS, Calif. (KGTV) -- Wednesday night, the city council is expected to vote on its proposed high density housing list; roughly 20 parcels of land that the City wants rezoned for higher density.
People living on Lake and Birmingham Drives in Cardiff by the Sea are hoping to keep a vacant lot in their neighborhood off that list.
Allison Wylot lives across the street from the five acre lot.
"This is a very small street, it's a dead end, it's all residential going south, there's no mixed use here, it's just homes, single family homes," said Wylot.
According to Wylot, when Encinitas based Zephyr initially purchased the property, the company had plans to build 4 custom homes. Then, a permit sign went up notifying residents that the plan is to build nine homes. Now, the company wants to be added to the high density housing list. If that happens, the zoning change would allow for the possibility of 30 dwellings per acre - or 150 units.
No one from Zephyr was available after hours on Tuesday night to comment.
"We just don't think this property is suitable for that," said Wylot.
Councilman Tony Kranz said the residents' concerns may be premature.
"I don't know that there is an appetite to add anything to the list," said Councilman Kranz.
The final list of lots would have to be approved by voters in November. A similar housing initiative was rejected in 2016. Multiple lawsuits have been filed against Encinitas over its lack of affordable housing. State law requires the city to provide more than a thousand low income units.
"The reality is we're in a housing crisis here in the state, and it's in part because people are not too excited about having the impacts of higher density and more people," said Kranz.
Wylot said she understands the need for more housing, but she thinks it should be built in an area closer the freeway or public transit.
"Everyone is feeding into Santa Fe and Birmingham to get to the freeway. It just can't handle it, it's one way in and one way out," said Wylot.
The city council meeting is Wednesday at 6:00 pm.
