Economic Development

By George McNeil

Comprehensive economic development is critical for Oceanside if we are going to continue to function as the principle city in North County. The City has done an excellent job in recent years in attracting businesses especially to downtown and the Ocean Ranch area. However there are significant gaps in our development that must be rectified. Our jobs to housing ratio is second worst out of the nineteen communities in San Diego County. The unincorporated areas have a better ratio than we do! Our Per Capita Office Space is fourth worst in the county and our income from Sales Tax is third worst. Without a balanced income our city is going to be less and less able to provide the services that we need to have to maintain our beautiful town.

If this situation continues we are going to cripple ourselves economically. Despite these dismal statistics, City Councils in the past have changed zoning on parcels of land from Light Industrial to Residential and from Office Use to Residential. While the changing of any particular parcel does not have a major effect, the cumulative result is devastating. These changes reduce our financial base, increase our traffic and, in the long run, will make it more difficult for the City to provide the services that our residents deserve.

As we approach our build out capacity the fees that the City receives from the developers of new homes will be significantly reduced. We must therefore strategically plan for appropriate businesses on the remaining land that is zoned for office and light industrial use.

I will work to increase our economic base by holding the line on zoning changes thereby providing the necessary income our City must have to adequately meet the needs of our citizens. Rather than responding to the concepts of developers we should be aiding development by formulating specific goals for every section of Oceanside.