Regal, Mission projects alter landscape of downtown Oceanside

Major downtown developments will add 562 apartments, reshape Mission Avenue, and bring two more projects to the area as downtown continues to evolve

The Ocean Place property, which is home to Regal Oceanside, is set to be demolished and replaced with a mixed-use development featuring 332 apartments. Steve Puterski photo

OCEANSIDE — The landscape of downtown Oceanside is changing.

A pair of large-scale projects proposing a combined 562 apartments across two mixed-use developments, three blocks apart on Mission Avenue, are moving forward. The Regal Oceanside, which will be demolished, will consist of 332 units, while the other project on Mission Avenue between North Clementine and North Nevada streets will add another 230 apartments.

The Downtown Advisory Committee recommended both projects to the City Council during its Wednesday morning meeting. The City Council will hear the items in the coming months. Committee member Jesse Abril was the lone no vote on both projects, while Jane Marshall and Robbie Calderon Hass were absent.

Each development will have buildings seven stories with external murals, pools, commercial space and other amenities.

While the Mission Avenue project sailed through its hearing, the Regal project descended into chaos as two residents continually interrupted the item after public comment was closed. Regardless, the main focus for residents and the committee was a public plaza on site to continue the city’s annual Christmas tree lighting celebration, which Ernie Rivas, vice president of land development of JH Real Estate Partners, said will remain in place for up to 30 years.

“The landscape of downtown is changing,” Heather Manley, one of the committee members said, noting the laws regarding density and large-scale developments come from the state legislature. “The architects have done a decent job. My preference would be for a larger plaza (at Regal). But we also have an obligation to add more housing to the city.”

The projects, though, will not go before the Planning Commission as the DAC is the governing board for all projects in the downtown district, according to committee member Scott Ashton, who is also the chief executive officer of the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce.