City's Draft General Plan Ready for Public Review

The city of Encinitas’ draft general plan, a blueprint that will guide policymaking and development for at least the next 20 years, is open for public review—a four-month period that will launch with a public workshop on Monday night from 6 to 9 at the

Given the size and scope of this draft document, Encinitas City Council decided Wednesday night that the review process should be modified to include all of the city’s commissions and more evaluation by City Council. 

The proposal for a modified review schedule—which was brought forth by Councilwoman Kristin Gaspar and seconded by Councilwoman Teresa Barth—will include a series of work sessions that allow each of the city's commissions to review the portions of the draft that pertain to its work. The Planning Commission will consider that input as it reviews all of the elements in the draft. That information will then be passed on to City Council, which will have its own series of work sessions, each focusing on a specific element of the draft.

“When [city] staff is coming to us and asking how council should be involved, my answer is every step of the way, and it starts now,” said Gasapar of the reasoning behind her proposal. “We’re a million dollars invested in this [draft general plan] and we’re two years into the process. We need to be sure we get this right.”  

An ad-hoc committee comprised of council members Gaspar and Barth will help to finalize the timeline and details of the modified draft review process, and look into forming a stakeholders group that would also have an opportunity to review the draft.

That proposed stakeholders group may include commercial property owners and representatives, about 15 of whom came out Wednesday night to publicly express concerns over the draft. Many of those speakers have invested interests along the El Camino corridor and take issue with the draft’s proposal to add up to 2,200 multifamily homes to that area.

Councilman Jerome Stocks also asked that there be a disclaimer added to the draft general plan document so that the public clearly understands that it is a work in progress that has not been finalized in any way. He also said he wants the public to understand that this draft has not been reviewed by Planning Commission nor City Council, and public hearings are still several months down the road.

City Council unanimously approved the proposed modifications to the draft general plan review, except for Encinitas Councilwoman Maggie Houlihan, who was not able to participate due to her health. Houlihan has endometrial cancer and had been participating in council meetings via phone. Wednesday night Mayor James Bond asked the public to keep Houlihan in their thoughts and prayers.

The draft general plan is available for review online, and the public can comment on portions of the document online. The public can also find online information about upcoming workshops and events related to the draft general plan, and subscribe to email alerts regarding the project.

Other Action

Tepl Inc., the organizers behind , will submit a special event permit application after City Council gave the green light to move forward with the process.

The proposed 5K/10K race—which is slated for next year’s Super Bowl on Sunday, Feb. 5—would be held on South Coast Highway 101 from Moonlight Beach to Cardiff, near the San Elijo campground.

During the application process, potential impacts to nearby residents and businesses will be examined.

Proceeds from the race will be earmarked for local groups such as Cardiff 101, Cardiff Soccer, Patrons of Encinitas Parks, and . and  have written letters in support of the event.