New speed limits on eight Del Mar road segments go before the City Council at a public hearing Tuesday, Oct. 6.
The hearing is one of several consequential items on the council's agenda, which also includes a $100,000 affordable housing allocation and a nearly $49,000 stormwater engineering contract. The meeting begins at 4:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 1050 Camino del Mar.
Speed limits and parking
Staff is asking the council to accept a citywide Engineering and Traffic Survey and introduce an ordinance setting speed limits on eight road segments. The specific segments and proposed speeds are detailed in the agenda packet's attachments. If the council introduces the ordinance Oct. 6, a second reading is tentatively set for Oct. 20.
A separate public hearing will address proposed parking modifications on Stratford Court between 12th and 13th streets and on Ocean Avenue from 13th Street to Seagrove Park. Staff is also recommending the council consider converting portions of Stratford Court and Ocean Avenue to one-way traffic between 13th and 15th streets.
Affordable housing and stormwater work
On the consent calendar, the council will consider allocating $100,000 from the city's Housing Fund for the 28th Street affordable housing project, a city-owned parcel. The money would pay for financial feasibility studies, housing-related agreements and consultant work on the site.
A second consent item asks the council to approve a $48,625 task order with engineering firm Dudek for a Coast Boulevard stormwater analysis and infrastructure alternatives study, plus a $6,375 contingency. City Manager Ashley Jones would be authorized to execute the contract.
El Niño winter prep
The council will hear its second staff update on preparations for the 2026–2027 El Niño winter season. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has forecast this El Niño could be among the strongest on record, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.
At the Sept. 22 council meeting, Jones previewed the Oct. 6 presentation, saying it would cover sand berm work on the beach, the San Dieguito Lagoon inlet dredging effort, coordination with outside agencies on Lake Hodges and resources for residents to prepare their own property. Jones also noted that Gov. Gavin Newsom had proclaimed a statewide state of emergency related to El Niño.
Staff is recommending the council authorize Jones to waive the city's fee for Emergency Encroachment Permits.
Library anniversary
Mayor Tracy Martinez will present a proclamation celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Del Mar Library and honoring former Branch Manager Polly Cipparrone. Cipparrone served as branch manager from 2014 to 2026 and worked as a San Diego County librarian for 28 years. She established a seed library program, a bluegrass concert series and an art exhibit program featuring local artists.
The library, at 1309 Camino del Mar, welcomed more than 32,000 visitors in 2025. They checked out more than 240,000 items.
A public celebration is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 10, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the library, featuring a chamber gamelan ensemble, mbira performance and an instrument petting zoo.
How to participate
Residents can attend in person, join via Zoom (Meeting ID: 879 0650 1544) or submit written comments to [email protected] by noon Oct. 6.
