Encinitas Municipal Code § 2.2 Community Issues

The Encinitas Ranch Task Force was established by the City to identify issues, problems, obstacles, and opportunities facing development of the 853-acre Encinitas Ranch Specific Plan Area. The Task Force was composed of 14 members including two City Council members, two Planning Commissioners, three Community Advisory Board (CAB) members, one Traffic Commissioner, one Park and Recreation Commissioner, one Housing Commissioner, and several citizens. One of the duties of the Task Force was to identify issues, constraints, and opportunities for the Encinitas Ranch project. This section of the Specific Plan summarizes the issues that the Task Force has clearly identified.

Identify historic resources on-site suitable for preservation.

Preserve and document cultural resources on-site.

Permanently preserve the bluffs bordering Green Valley as natural open space.

Preserve sensitive and threatened indigenous biological resources.

Preserve and enhance existing view corridors and viewsheds on site.

Create a public hiking trail system within the Encinitas Ranch Specific Plan Area that connects to the regional trail network.

Create east west circulation route linkages between the communities of Leucadia and New Encinitas and provide transportation route linkages.

Establish alternative north south circulation and transportation routes between Encinitas Boulevard and the northern portions of the City of Encinitas.

Expand the City's existing network of bicycle trails and lanes and implement the City's Circulation Plan for bikeway facilities.

Improve and expand Leucadia Boulevard between I 5 and Olivenhain Road.

Create on street parking opportunities in residential areas.

Improve traffic flow between the communities of New Encinitas, Old Encinitas, and Leucadia.

Provide a raised median in Leucadia Boulevard, as appropriate.

Continue the viability of agricultural uses and operations on site.

Recognize that the subject property is the last remaining large parcel of land located within the City of Encinitas and its Sphere of Influence.

Establish compatibility with existing off site residential uses located north, west, and south of the Encinitas Ranch Specific Plan Area boundaries.

Provide opportunities for mixed use development on-site.

Make use of under utilized land.

Provide a large commercial shopping center along El Camino Real that will generate important tax revenue for the City and provide convenient shopping opportunities for city and project residents.

Provide a diversity of housing types including high end, low density single family homes, town` homes, free standing apartment buildings, and mixed use structures (residential units over or behind office and retail uses).

Promote the development of multi family, affordable, senior citizen, and experimental housing in Encinitas.

Construct low density, large lot, single family residential development in the Quail Hollow East and North Mesa Planning Areas.

Provide housing which meets all City of Encinitas building code and seismic safety requirements and standards.

Implement portions of the City of Encinitas Recreational Facilities Plan as set forth in the General Plan.

Provide recreational facilities that meet the City's need for more community serving parks and open space.

Create active recreational areas and provide athletic playing fields available for City wide use.

Design an 18 hole golf course to serve the needs of the community and to attract tourists.

Expand the city and regional bicycle and pedestrian trail systems.

Promote and develop tourist oriented facilities and activities within the City of Encinitas.

Develop a cultural center within the City of Encinitas with facilities such as theaters, an amphitheater, and a museum.

Establish a permanent site for the San Dieguito Heritage Museum.

Examine the possibility of expanding Quail Botanical Gardens.

Install underground utility lines for new development.

Ensure adequate capacity for storm water flows north of Encinitas Boulevard.

Control storm water flows on site and in the project vicinity.

Reserve land for a possible future elementary school site.

Coordinate timing of infrastructure improvements.

Integrate development into the surrounding communities of Old Leucadia, New Encinitas, and Old Encinitas.

Establish design standards for site planning, architecture, landscape design, and signage.

Retain the rural feeling within the north mesa portion of the Specific Plan Area.

Compliment existing design character of the subject property and surrounding off site development.

Ensure the economic viability of agricultural uses within the Encinitas Ranch Specific Plan Area.