SOLANA BEACH — A mixed-use development that would straddle the Solana Beach Amtrak and Coaster station is fast becoming a train wreck for the city.

The latest blow to the Cedros Crossing project came in a letter dated April 17 from the state Department of Housing and Community Development, giving the city 10 days to submit documentation that conditions have been met to provide 13 units of affordable housing. Otherwise, Solana Beach “will no longer be deemed to be in compliance with the state housing element law,” the letter stated.

In an April 8 letter to Mayor Joe Kellejian, Affordable Housing Advocates, a nonprofit corporation that provides free legal services to low-income residents, threatened to sue the city if Cedros Crossing was not approved by the end of this month.

The project has been in the works for almost 20 years. Plans include retail shops, restaurants and boutique office space. At one point, Cedros Crossing was going to provide a much-needed new home for North Coast Repertory Theatre.

To ensure the city complies with the region’s housing needs, the development is also slated to include at least 131 housing units, 14 of which must be deemed affordable to further comply with state low-income housing laws.

From late 2001 to early 2006, the city held 20 community input meetings and workshops to address concerns about increased traffic and blocked ocean views. Developer Shea Properties hoped to have city approval in 2006, with completion expected by 2010 at the latest. Plans for Cedros Crossing underwent four revisions, including one after the theater withdrew this past August.

Key funding for the project is a $6 million grant from the state Department of Transportation, which will be lost if City Council doesn’t approve plans by April 30.

Kellejian said council members were scheduled to meet in closed sessions April 21 and April 23 to discuss the anticipated lawsuits from Housing and Community Development and Affordable Housing Advocates. The project wasn’t on the agenda for the regular council meeting April 23; however, City Council has scheduled a special session devoted to Cedros at 5 p.m. April 28 at City Hall. Catherine Rodman, attorney for Affordable Housing Advocates, labeled the meeting “entirely too late.”

“It’s the city working at the 11th hour, a day late and a dollar short,” said Rodman, who blames the delays on a “lack of political support for mixed-use development.”

“They’re not as good as their word. They continue to belabor this project to which they are wed. They need to get busy and get going, or they’re going to be a day late and $6 million short.”

Greg Shannon, vice president of development for Shea Properties, agreed. “Given the impending deadlines, the city cannot delay any longer, or the taxpayers will pay the price for their indecision. The solution is simple,” he said. “City Council needs to take responsibility and approve Cedros Crossing at the April 28 public hearing.” 

Kellejian said he is confident something positive will come out of that meeting.

“I’ll be fighting to make sure that’s a reality,” he said.

To view the staff report for Cedros Crossing, which was expected to be posted April 22, visit the city Web site at www.ci.solana-beach.ca.us.