Encinitas Municipal Code § 4.12 Streetscape and Parking Area Recommendations

4.12.0

A. In most communities, the streets are the major public spaces that everyone enjoys. In Cardiff-by-the-Sea, this is particularly the case. The narrow, comfortable streets form an easily navigated system with-in a modified grid. The overall street system appears much as a ladder in plan with San Elijo Avenue and Newcastle Avenue forming the side rails with Chesterfield Drive, Aberdeen Drive, Liverpool Drive and Birmingham Avenue forming the rungs of the ladder. This simple street system lends itself to a clear and effective streetscape program.

B. Major gateways can provide a visual announcement of entry into the business district. In addition, intersection improvements, primarily involving special surface treatment such as enhanced paving, encourage motorists to slow down and provide visual cues to pedestrians.

C. The Streetscape Concepts provided in this section apply to all designated areas of the public right-of-way within the Cardiff Specific Plan area. They provide the design criteria that the City and future developers will follow in the preparation of plans for improvement of the various rights-of-way. When improvement of designated streets or portions of rights-of way is proposed by the City, or required of any developer or agency in conjunction with land use or other development, such improvement shall be consistent with these streetscape concepts. Consistent with City regulations, requirements to install street improvements may be satisfied by other applicable measure(s) when it is determined that incremental improvements are inappropriate.

The Streetscape Concepts for the Specific Plan Area have been prepared with the following goals in mind:

A. Strengthen and enhance a pedestrian environment.

B. Improve the overall visual quality of the Specific Plan area.

C. Develop gateways that enhance the motorist's "sense of arrival" into the Specific Plan area.

D. To consider the maintenance and durability in the selection and design of streetscape elements.

The overall general streetscape guidelines for the Cardiff Specific Plan area include:

A. Architectural Theme - selected street furniture does not have to match exactly in style or color, but should be compatible and provide a cohesive quality within the Specific Plan area.

B. Street Furniture - should discourage vandalism and be low in maintenance.

C. Seating Nodes - create seating nodes at intersection locations that include benches and bike racks.

D. Pavement Treatment - use enhanced paving on sidewalks, at sidewalk nodes and at intersection crossings to unify streetscapes and accent the area's pedestrian environment. In selecting paving materials and texturing treatments, the City should consider safety, durability, accessibility, and ease of maintenance. Concrete curbing and sidewalks is preferable. The use of asphalt for streetscape improvements is discouraged.

E. To the extent possible, the design of streets should be consistent within any given stretch of streets, primarily between intersections. This includes landscape, street furniture and lighting.

F. Streets and intersections should be designed to facilitate an easy pedestrian flow, free of barriers and encourage walking.

G. It is expected that a substantial supply of parking will remain on the streets, augmented with parking lots. Parking lots should be landscaped with trees and other plant materials to provide relief, break up the areas of paving, and provide shade. Pedestrian walkways through parking areas should connect the buildings with street-side sidewalks.