The 22nd District Agricultural Association (22nd DAA) board took no action Tuesday, Oct. 13 on a soccer stadium proposal at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Staff were directed to develop a process for accepting competing development pitches.

San Diego Wave owners Lauren Leichtman and Zachary Leichtman-Levine presented the plan at the board's monthly meeting, The Coast News first reported. The family proposed a 12,000- to 16,000-seat stadium, a roughly 300-room hotel, a 125,000-square-foot convention center, a 1,300-car parking garage and a retail district.

The owners asked for a two-year exclusive negotiating period to justify spending millions on detailed site plans. The board did not grant it.

Director Kathlyn Mead closed the discussion by asking staff to develop a timeline for accepting both solicited and unsolicited proposals. Sam Nejabat, chair of the Master Site Planning Committee, told Mead the committee had not proactively sought proposals from other developers but had been meeting with groups that approached the fairgrounds.

Board Vice Chair Lisa Barkett asked whether the project would include affordable housing. A member of the development team said they were open to the idea. Board member Frederick Schenk said he wanted to hear from other potential developers before moving forward.

"We would like to be able to provide a supportive, women's purpose-built stadium for the San Diego Wave," Leichtman-Levine told the board.

The Wave play in the National Women's Soccer League. Leichtman-Levine said the team sits at the bottom of the scheduling priority list at Snapdragon Stadium, behind SDSU football, Major League Soccer's San Diego FC and concerts. The owners want a dedicated venue when their lease at the San Diego State University stadium expires.

A conceptual timeline showed the stadium opening in 2031, shops and restaurants in 2033, and the hotel and convention center in 2034. Leichtman-Levine stressed that no site studies have been conducted and the illustrations are conceptual only.

The owners said the project would preserve both the Del Mar racetrack and the annual San Diego County Fair. A proposed tram would circle the fairgrounds with a stop at the approved train platform. The family is also considering a separate training facility in the Del Mar area.

22nd DAA CEO Becky Bartling noted the fairgrounds went through a master plan process starting in 2000 that stalled for lack of funding. The board's presentation Tuesday was informational.

No date has been set for when staff will present the proposal-intake timeline to the board.