Encinitas Municipal Code Art. 6.0 Community Benefits (CA)

6.1. INTRODUCTION¶

The El Camino Real Specific Plan (ECRSP) vision, as outlined in Section 2.4, Community Vision, calls for revitalization of the Specific Plan Area (SPA) while retaining the suburban, close-knit community and beach character of Encinitas, complemented with multi-modal transportation, high-quality public spaces, and adequate infrastructure.

The SPAs current park network consists of formal public parks and recreational facilities, manmade and natural open spaces, and pedestrian and bicycle trails. The manmade facilities are predominantly located on the western side of the El Camino Real right-of-way between Garden View Road and Leucadia Boulevard as shown in Chapter 5, Mobility, Figure 5-7, Pedestrian Network. The natural open spaces are located on the east side of El Camino Real, surrounding the Home Depot. These amenities give a base upon which to build a more expansive, vibrant, and desired public realm network. Facilitating the development and enhancement of both public and private park space throughout the SPA is a high priority for the Encinitas community.

6.1.1 Community Engagement Input

The community engagement process emphasized the importance of incorporating community benefits into the fabric of the El Camino Real corridor. More specifically, community members sought greater attention to parks and public realm improvements, weaving these into new developments and creating an El Camino Real environment that is more friendly towards pedestrians beyond the right-of-way.

6.1.2 Desired Amenities for the Public Realm

The public realm consists of publicly accessible space that allows for human interaction and activity. Public realm spaces should offer a range of amenities for the community to utilize and enjoy. This may be in the form of public right-of-way, parks, trails, pedestrian linkages, and plazas, courtyards, squares, outdoor dining areas, and public facilities. The ECRSP seeks to enhance the existing, and create new, high-quality public realm amenities throughout the SPA. Through creating a high-quality public realm, the SPA will become a more attractive place and thus spur economic development and revitalization. High quality public realm investments may be led by both public investment such as streetscape improvements and incentivized through a Community Benefits Program for private investment.

(Ord. 2024-08, 9/25/2024)

Exceptions & meaning →

6.2. COMMUNITY BENEFITS PROGRAM¶

This section establishes a framework for a win-win approach to redevelopment of the SPA in which development can respond to market demands and reflect community aspirations. Driven by community input received through the various outreach efforts for the ECRSP, the Community Benefits Program detailed in this chapter provides a mechanism for development to provide enhancements that benefit the community. The Community Benefits Program provides incentives for developers to provide or fund community needs, priorities, and economic prosperity and equity. It provides an opportunity for a developer to receive additional development incentives for a project in exchange for providing certain amenities or improvements desired by the community, such as a small park or public plaza. Through a Community Benefits Program, the City can recapture a portion of the increased land values afforded to developers. The Community Benefits Program also allows incoming projects within the SPA to receive a streamlined permitting process in exchange for community benefits.

6.2.1 Applicability

The Community Benefits Program is applicable to redevelopment projects within the SPA that utilize the underlying uses of Office Professional, General Commercial, and Public/Semi-Public. These community benefit options are in addition to standards the project may be required to provide per the ECRSP. Residential and mixed-use projects utilizing State housing legislation may not receive these additional incentives but are strongly encouraged to incorporate these types of community benefits into their plans.

The photos shown in Figure 6-1, Sample Types and Quality of Community Benefits, are provided to reflect and inspire the quality and types of improvements intended as a result of this Community Benefits Program. The photos included in Figure 6-1, are conceptual and only intended as reference for the types and quality of community benefits listed in Table 6-1, Menu of Community Benefit Options.

6.2.2 Process

Incoming projects that intend to use this program shall complete a Community Benefits Program Application to identify what community benefits will be provided as part of the project. Depending on the number of points the community benefits will achieve, the project will be granted up to the equivalent incentives. City staff will assess the Community Benefits Program Application and the project's ability to fulfill the description and parameters of the proposed community benefits. Points may be prorated to the equivalent number to best match the community benefit provided. There is no maximum number of development points that a project can be granted via community benefits.

6.2.3 Community Benefit Options A menu of community benefit options is provided in Table 6-1, Menu of Community Benefit Options, along with a description of required parameters to meet, and the allocated points for that community benefit. Figure 6-1, Sample Types and Quality of Community Benefits, provides example images of community benefits that are to be incentivized for the SPA.

The community benefits listed in Table 6-1 are based on community input received at workshops. The points assigned to the community benefits are based on the associated cost to provide and maintain the community benefit, and the benefit's ability to provide the greatest public good and help reach City-wide goals.

Table 6-1: Menu of Community Benefit Options

Community Benefit	Description	Points Granted Per Unit	Maximum Points Granted
Common Open Space	Development of 300 square feet of new publicly accessible, privately maintained common open spaces such as plazas, parklets, play areas, dog parks, splash pads, recreational facilities, community gardens, or other spaces consistent with the design guidelines in Section 4.4.7, Common Open Space in Chapter 4 . This must be in addition to what is required in Section 3.4.5 , Useable Open Space Standards, of Chapter 3 of the ECRSP.	10 points for every 300 square feet	30
Additional Biofiltration System	The addition of an on-site biofiltration system that goes above and beyond the State and local regulations for storm sewer systems and stormwater runoff.	15 points for every biofiltration system	15
Bicycle Locker	Additional bicycle lockers, beyond what is required by State or local regulations, shall provide an enclosed space to securely store an individual bicycle that is weather-resistant and theft-proof. Bicycle lockers are allowed on development sites located adjacent to transit stations, workplaces. Bicycle lockers shall be sited within 100 feet of the public right-of-way.	5 points for every bicycle locker	40
EV Charging Station	Additional electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, beyond what is required by State or local regulations, shall be placed in publicly accessible parking lots.	5 points for every Level 1 charging station; 10 pts for every Level 2 or higher charging station. 1	60
Extension of Encinitas Creek Trail Or Encinitas Creek Trail Enhancement	Extension of the pedestrian or multi-use passages along Encinitas Creek Trail west of El Camino Real, north of Garden View Road. This could also include the enhancement of the Encinitas Creek Trail with interactive trail amenities. This could also include upgrading the established Encinitas Creek Trail network of pedestrian trails near the Leo Mullen Sports Park to cater to a wider range of people with more restrictive mobility considerations. Enhancements may also expand the types of recreational and social interaction along the trail, providing innovative strategies intended to offer a modern day recreational experience, such as interpretive signage, community gardens, physical activity equipment, creative seating, or public art.	10 points for every new 1/4 mile of new trail connection or trail upgrade; 10 points for every 200 square feet of trail enhancement with amenities.	40
Paseo Connection	A publicly accessible meandering public pathway at least 8 feet wide that connects publicly accessible destinations/facilities such as shopping centers, sidewalks, pocket parks, or restaurants. Paseos shall be lined with landscaping consistent with the landscaping standards and guidelines included in Chapter 4 .	10 points for every 200 linear feet of paseo.	40
Public Seating	Inclusion of public seating, beyond what is required by State of local regulations, shall be placed within 10 feet of public right-of-way. Public seating shall be in the form of benches, platforms, steps, or ledges, and shall include an artistic, or aesthetically unique element to it, including El Camino Real branding.	5 points for every public seating unit.	15
Mural	Inclusion of a mural, or large piece of artwork illustrated on the surface of a public-facing building facade. The public mural shall be designed to enhance the character of the SPA, promote cultural identity or a sense of place, and inspire positivity and shall not include signage or a business logo or identification.	5 points for every 400 square feet of public mural	15
Public Fountain or Splash Pad	Inclusion of a decorative or functional water feature in the form of a fountain, splash pad, or other youth-oriented water feature in a publicly accessible space such as a pocket park or plaza.	15 points for every water feature	15
Public Art	Inclusion of a three-dimensional piece of artwork shall be sited in a public space, such as a park, plaza, or center. Public art or sculptures can take many forms and may be made of a variety of materials, including, but not limited to, metal, stone, wood, and concrete. Public art or sculptures shall be designed to provide aesthetic or cultural value to the community.	5 points for every public art piece greater than 10 square feet	10
Local Public Art	A three-dimensional piece of local artwork shall be sited in a public space, such as a park, plaza, or center. Local public art or sculptures can take many forms and may be made of a variety of materials, including but not limited to metal, stone, wood, and concrete. Local Public Art or sculptures shall be designed to provide aesthetic or cultural value to the community, created by local artists to facilitate a sense of place and pride	5 points for every local art piece greater than 10 square feet	50
Wayfinding Signage	Inclusion of wayfinding signage designed to help visitors navigate to various destinations within and near the SPA. Destinations may include shopping centers, recreational spaces, landmarks, and plazas. Wayfinding signage should include directional signs, maps, diagrams, and/or other visual aids. Wayfinding signage shall be located with 10 feet of public right-of-way.	5 points for every wayfinding signage unit	10
New Dedicated Small Business Space with Reduced Rent	Inclusion of designated building space for supporting small businesses that are 1,000 square feet or less and providing a 10 percent discount on rent for the first 5 years.	30 points for every 1,000 square feet in building space	60
Relocation Assistance for Displaced	Provide relocation assistance or services to help existing commercial tenants and small businesses in the SPA facing threat of displacement by new development to locate elsewhere within the SPA or the City.	5 points for every existing small business offered relocation assistance	30
Youth-Oriented Community Space	Provide youth-oriented community space on site in the form of designated building square footage, or youth-oriented outdoor recreational amenities such as publicly accessible skate parks and sport courts. Designated building square-footage can be in the form of flexible space that offers youth art programs, dance classes, indoor recreational sports teams, youth counselling, tutoring and trainings, and cultural activities.	30 points for every 10,000 square feet in building space, or 20,000 square feet in outdoor youth space.	60
Branded Public Lighting	Branded public lighting refers to lighting fixtures adjacent to public right-or-way or paseos that have custom branding for the El Camino Real Corridor that celebrates the historic importance of the road. The City of Encinitas shall provide an approved custom brand for use on public lighting fixtures. El Camino Real branding should be hung from, or structured into the light pole base, with approval from the City Engineer. No more than one branded light fixture shall be placed every 40 feet.	5 points for every branded public light fixture	20
Branded Bike Racks	Inclusion of additional bike racks beyond what is required by State or local regulations that are branded bike racks, meaning custom bike racks that display a City-approved El Camino Real logo that celebrates the historic importance of the royal road. Branded bike racks shall be located within 20 feet of public right-or-way or multi-use paseos.	1 points for every one contiguous bike rack unit	15
LEED Certification, or Equivalent	Construction of a new commercial, or office building that is consistent with LEED Certification to at least the Gold level for non-residential buildings or LEED for Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND). Showing consistency with LEED criteria is acceptable, without structure receiving official certification.	30 points	30
GreenPoint Rated, or Equivalent	Construction of a new commercial, or office building that is consistent with GreenPoint Rated with at least 75 points. Showing consistency with GreenPoint criteria is acceptable, without structure receiving official certification.	20 points	20
Contribution to ECRSP Community Benefits Fund	A variety of community benefits have been identified within the public realm or would be considered off-site improvements. To ensure these community benefits can be implemented efficiently, an El Camino Real Specific Plan Community Benefits Fund (Fund) will be set up by the City to allow development applicants to communally contribute to these off-site community benefits as a way to gain community benefit points. The Fund will collect contributions of $10,000 to go towards any of, but not limited to, the following public improvements within the SPA: —Replace the Encinitas Creek concrete wall with a see-through fence at the approval of the City Engineer. —Upgrade sewer line as demand reaches pipe capacity. —Update dated traffic signals to include traffic signal detection, adaptive signal control, or coordinated signal systems. —Devote space towards and construct a new youth-oriented community center within the SPA. —Install high visibility crosswalks at existing highly utilized intersections. —Gateway signage into the SPA that denotes the entrance into a place or destination. Signage shall be approved by the Development Services Director and City Engineer. Upgrade of bus stops with amenities such as shelters, seating, trash receptacles, and lighting. Bus stop amenities are encouraged to be branded with City-approved El Camino Real logo that celebrates the historic importance of the road. —Relocation of historic El Camino Real bells from the median to the parkway.	10 points for every $10,000 contributed	60
Daylighting of Cottonwood Creek	Daylighting of at least 60% of the length of the creek within the project site. This includes dismantling of the underground channeling for that segment, inclusion of riparian restoration and biofiltration devices as appropriate. Such plans are subject to review and approval of the City and applicable regulatory agencies.	30 points
Other Benefit(s)	Provision of an amenity, design feature, or other element considered to serve as an enhancement that provides a benefit to the community and contribute to the overall quality of the corridor.	To be determined by Planning Commission based on level of community benefit value achieved.

Note:

1	Level 1 EV charging stations operate on 120 volt. Level 2 EV charging stations operate on 208/240 volt (2022 California Green Building Code or as amended).

Figure 6-1: Sample Types and Quality of Community Benefits

6.2.4 Reduced Parking Requirements

For projects within a 0.25 mile radius of a bus stop, or projects that include micro-transit facilities (such as bikeshare stations, micro-transit mobility hubs, local shuttle, rideshare pickup/drop-off zones, or other City approved program), applicants may choose to redeem a maximum of 60 community benefit points on reduced parking requirements described in Table 6-2, Reduced Parking Requirements.

Table 6-2: Reduced Parking Requirements

Use	Allowed Reduction (15 points)	Allowed Reduction (30 points)	Allowed Reduction (60 points)
Office Professional	5%	10%	15%
General Commercial	5%	10%	20%
Public/Semi-Public	5%	10%	20%

6.2.5 Streamlined Permit Processing

As an incentive for incoming projects to utilize the Community Benefits Program, applicants may choose to redeem 30 community benefit points on streamlined permit processing

For projects utilizing the Community Benefits Program, Design Review Permit applications will be expedited to a 30-day review period for intake staff and for the project to be scheduled for hearing for a determination to be made by the Planning Commission.

(Ord. 2024-08, 9/25/2024)

Exceptions & meaning →