February 2026 Newsletter

Council Update

We had two Council Meetings and the Downtown Workshop in January, these are some of the items we took action on:

• Staff recommends that the City Council allow the construction of a proposed two building mixed-use development project comprised of 193 dwelling units with 20 low-income units on Block 5 and 180 dwelling units with 18 low-income units on Block 20 located on a 3.52 gross acre site bounded by Mission Avenue on the South, N. Myers Street on the west and the North County Transit District Right-of-Way on the east. Motion to approve with the following condition added: The project shall maintain a building-to-building distance at all residential levels equivalent to the distance between the Mission Pacific and Wyndham at Pier View Way. Balcony projections may extend a maximum of five feet from the building into the setback: Weiss. Second: Robinson. Approved: 3-2 (Sanchez, Joyce- No)

• Staff recommends that the City Council introduce an ordinance to amend Article X of the City of Oceanside Municipal Traffic Code and adopt a resolution to establish a fee for an overnight oversize vehicle parking permit in the City of Oceanside at $150.00 per year. Motion to approve staff's recommendation with the elimination of section D: Robinson. Second: Joyce. Approved: 5-0.

• Staff recommends that the City Council receive a report on potential measures for abatement of illegal fireworks and provide direction to prepare a formal administrative abatement program and implementing ordinance. Motion to approve staff's recommendation with the first year that all fines are halved and will be revisited by the Council: Weiss. Second: Sanchez. Approved: 5-0.

• Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution denying the appeal and upholding the certification of a Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) and Associated Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) and upholding Planning Commission Resolution to allow for the the construction of 83 detached single-family homes and associated site improvements including landscaping and recreational areas and a density bonus for the granting of seven waivers from applicable development standards in order to develop at the density proposed in exchange for setting aside four dwelling units for very-low income households. Motion to adopt resolution denying the certification of the EIR: Sanchez. Second: Joyce. Approved: 5-0.

Workshop Update:

• Parking & Traffic/Pedestrian Safety: Council directed updates to the Downtown Parking Action Plan (due to losses from new developments) and traffic studies for calming measures, better crossings on Coast Highway 101, and projects like the funded Coast Highway Corridor Design (Phase 1 construction starting fall 2025). Emphasis was placed on enhancing pedestrian access near major upcoming projects like the Regal Theater redevelopment and Oceanside Transit Center.

• Density & Housing: Discussion on pending California Coastal Commission approval for a Local Coastal Plan Amendment to set an 86 units-per-acre cap (removing a prior 5,500-unit target), with council agreement (formal vote on Feb. 5). Council prioritized developing a local transit-oriented development (TOD) plan under SB 79 to address potential seven-story buildings near transit stops.

• Placemaking: Plans for a summer 2025 pilot to close Tremont Avenue to vehicles (between Mission Avenue and Pier View Way) for pedestrian spaces to boost businesses. Council pushed for bigger ideas, like cultural corridors honoring heritage to be incorporated into the Specific Plan.

• Downtown Advisory Committee (DAC): Unanimous direction to reform it for better accessibility to address frustrations with limited information provided to commissioners.

Our next City Council meeting will be on Wednesday, February 4th at 5:00pm.

For summaries of all City Council meetings, please click here.

 Getting Out in the Community in January

I attended the National Electrical Contractors Association San Diego Chapter's annual Gala in January and enjoyed a wonderful evening celebrating our local electrical construction industry. The event brought together industry leaders, partners, and supporters for a warm reception and dinner program. A highlight was joining fellow elected officials onstage to present a certificate of recognition to incoming 2026 Board President Craig Earley. Thank you to NECA San Diego for hosting such an uplifting and well-organized gathering. Here’s to continued collaboration in 2026!

I recently participated in two valuable Cal Cities meetings. First, the San Diego County Division held a virtual meeting in January, featuring an insightful overview of Community Choice Aggregators in our region from representatives of Clean Energy Alliance and San Diego Community Power. It was a great opportunity to hear directly about their roles in advancing clean energy locally, alongside updates from Cal Cities and member reports. I also attended the Cal Cities Public Safety Policy Committee meeting in Sacramento, where city officials discussed critical statewide issues like law enforcement, fire safety, emergency communications, behavioral health, and public safety priorities amid the state budget challenges. These sessions reinforce the importance of regional collaboration and advocacy to support our communities.

I attended the 2026 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Prayer Breakfast, hosted by the North San Diego County NAACP Branch in partnership with the City of Oceanside at the El Corazon Senior Center. This inspiring, sold out event united community leaders, elected officials, faith leaders, and residents to honor Dr. King's legacy through prayer, reflection, and calls to action. A special highlight was the presentation of the City of Oceanside's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Award to Rob Howard, recognizing his outstanding contributions to our community. Thank you to the NAACP and all who made this uplifting morning possible.

I had the pleasure of joining Cub Scout Pack 787 in Oceanside for one of their monthly meetings. This historic pack, serving the community since 1938, welcomed me as a special guest to help the Scouts complete their “Duty to Country” adventure. I spoke with the Scouts about what it means to serve as an elected official, the journey to earning votes, the election process, and some of the key responsibilities that come with the role. The kids were engaged, asked thoughtful questions, and showed real curiosity about government and civic duty. It was a rewarding morning connecting with the next generation and reinforcing the importance of community involvement and public service. Thank you to Pack 787’s leaders and Scouts for the warm welcome and for keeping this great tradition alive in Oceanside!

The Oceanside Chamber of Commerce hosted another Rising Star Student of the Month Awards. This event remains one of my favorite events to attend each month. I always leave feeling deeply inspired by the incredible stories of our students who excel academically and personally while overcoming significant adversity. A huge congratulations to December’s outstanding honorees: Destiny Juarez of Surfside Academy, Nancy Lopez-Isidro of Oceanside High School, Rubi Martinez Hernandez of El Camino High School, Nathaniel Jones of Coastal Academy High School, and Adriana Diaz of Pacific View Charter!

I had the honor of attending the Oceanside Fire Department's Annual Awards and Badge Pinning Ceremony in January. It was a heartfelt evening celebrating the bravery, dedication, and service of our local firefighters. The night brought together the department, families, and supporters in a strong display of pride and camaraderie. Events like this remind us of the critical role our first responders play in keeping Oceanside safe every day. Congratulations to all the honorees and those receiving their badges, your commitment to protecting our community is truly inspiring and deeply appreciated. A huge thank you to the entire OFD team for your unwavering service, your work makes a real difference.

What's New in District 2?