SOLANA BEACH — Cedros Crossing, the proposed mixed-use development adjacent to the Solana Beach Train Station, has now officially entered the project review phase. The City Council held a public meeting Feb. 11 to review potential alternatives for the project.

“This has been a long process as everybody knows,” said Solana Beach Mayor Joe Kellejian. “This project has gone through three scoping meetings and 215 days of public review specific to the Environmental Impact Report, which is now behind us.”

Greg Shannon of Shea Properties gave a detailed presentation that reviewed all of the major components of Cedros Crossing. The proposal consists of three primary elements: a multi-level parking facility to serve the Solana Beach train station, a mixed use development that would include office, retail and residential uses and a beach sand replenishment project that would use excavated material from the project to protect the city’s shorelines.

For the first time, the public also got to see a three-dimensional “virtual reality” tour of what the finished project would look like.

There are currently two main design alternatives for Cedros Crossing under review, known as “Plan A” and “Plan B.” The proposed parking garage for the train station was the focus of discussion Feb. 11; the retail and residential components of the project will be reviewed at a later date.

Solana Beach City Manager David Ott reminded the public that there is a timeline associated with the project.

“The award of $6 million in state grant funding for construction of a transit parking facility at the train station is due to expire June 30, unless the city approves the transit parking facility plan,” Ott said. “In addition, the California Coastal Commission must also approve the parking plan.”

The issue of parking is the City Council’s primary concern. Both design plans would initially provide a facility with 517 parking spaces for transit riders. Plan A would later add 261 spaces while Plan B would later add 233 spaces.

But traffic studies associated with the project have determined that by the year 2030, there could be a significant shortfall in parking for Amtrak and Coaster passengers.

“Based on the findings in the Environmental Impact Report, we need to have 800 to 1,000 transit parking spaces,” said Councilwoman Lesa Heebner. “I would like that to be a requirement.”

Solana Beach resident Jack Hegenauer said he hopes the city will approve the installation of a real-time parking availability system to identify the number of vacant spaces in the parking garage. “It seems to be critical for the good function of the parking garage,” Hegenauer said.

Councilman Mike Nichols was disappointed in the level of detail provided in the renderings of the parking garage.

“We need to have a better idea of colors, texture and elevation,” Nichols said. “Those really need to be developed to a level where we can make a decision, because right now it’s pretty vague.”

Shannon said he would be more than happy to return at a later date with updated design schematics. “Every time the city has asked for additional information we have provided it, and we’ll do it this time,” he said.