RSF Association board approves time extensions for two property subdivisions

By Karen Billing

In the last few weeks, the Rancho Santa Fe Association Board has granted two time extensions to property owners looking to subdivide their parcels. Rancho Santa Fe’s regulatory code gives property owners four years to obtain final approval from the county on their subdivision projects. The board can opt to allow a two-year extension if it is needed.
Typically, such an extension is only granted once but the Quantum and Clotfelter subdivisions were recently given their second extensions.
Both extensions were approved following discussion by the board.
Director Jack Queen was hesitant to grant an extension for Quantum Estates, a subdivision of a 39.4-acre parcel off of Paseo Delicias.
Queen said the project was controversial when it was approved in May 2004, as it was given the go-ahead by the Association board although the Art Jury recommended denying it.
Queen tried to have the extension decision postponed until a later meeting when the board could obtain more information on the project, but his motion failed 4-3.
Director Dick Doughty said the extension was justified by the economic times and the extension through May of 2012 was then passed 4-3.
The discussion around the Clotfelter subdivision, located on Paseo Arbolado, was centered more on the length of time extension the board should grant, Staff recommended a three-and-a-half year extension, Doughty thought two years would be more reasonable.
Association board vice president Kim Higgins argued that three-and-a-half years was acceptable as the delays on the project have not been within Clotfelter’s control.
Property owner Tom Clotfelter said that the last time he subdivided a property, in 1977, it took two years to get it through the county process.
“I never thought it would take six years,” Clotfelter said of his current project.
Doughty elected to go with the majority and in a 4-0 vote, the Clotfelter subdivision was given an extension through August 2013.