Encinitas Municipal Code Title CSP Cardiff-By-The-Sea Specific Plan

The preparation of a Cardiff-by-the-Sea Specific Plan is identified in the Encinitas General Plan in recognition of the unique character, opportunities, and needs of the Cardiff-by-the-Sea specific plan area. In 2002, the City Council affirmed the desire for a Specific Plan for Cardiff's specific plan area and supported the idea that future development reflect the strongly-held community concern for retaining local identity and community character. Figure 1, Location Map, shows the Specific Plan Area relative to the Cardiff-by-the-Sea community and the rest of the city. Overriding goals for this Specific Plan are:

The Cardiff-by-the-Sea Specific Plan has eight chapters.

Chapter 1: Introduction and Summary. This section describes the intent and major recommendations of the Plan.

Chapter 2: Community Vision and Specific Plan Goals. Community objectives for the Specific Plan are provided here, including the goals and policies that become the foundation for the Specific Plan.

Chapter 3: Use and Development Regulations. All the uses within the Specific Plan area fall within residential, office professional, and general commercial zones. This section starts with a description of how portions of the area are used in different ways. Then, based on those differences, coupled with the goals and objectives identified in Chapter 2, zone regulations and development standards are described.

Chapter 4: Design Recommendations. Recommendations for the physical design of the Specific Plan area are provided covering a range of design concerns such as streetscape, alley design, and landscape. Criteria are provided for identifying development that is subject to design review.

Chapter 5: Circulation and Parking. Vehicular, pedestrian, and bicycle routes are described, as are the results of recent parking studies.

Chapter 6: Infrastructure. An evaluation of existing conditions for water, sewer, storm drain, and street surfaces is provided, along with an assessment of the relevance of those improvements to the policies and objectives identified in Chapter 2.

Chapter 7: Implementation. This chapter charts a strategic approach to incremental implementation of the Specific Plan and identifies the relative importance of Plan administration and capital improvement.

Chapter 8: General Plan and Local Coastal Program Compliance. The relationship between this Specific Plan and the Encinitas General Plan and Local Coastal Program is described.

This Cardiff-by-the-Sea Specific Plan focuses on a small but highly visible and highly valued portion of the Cardiff community.

Generally considered the "business district" or sometimes "Downtown Cardiff," the area is principally a mix of low rise retail, office, institutional, and residential uses. Parts of the area have a beach town character and parts seem entirely commercial or residential. Mostly, it is an eclectic blend of land uses and architectural styles, of structures that are both new and showing their age, and of pathways and streets improved at different times over several decades. The casual quality of the area, the mixture of architecture and the difference in building sizes and periods, and the primarily pedestrian scale of the entire area combine to foster a sense of small town familiarity and welcome.

Boundaries of the Cardiff-by-the-Sea Specific Plan are irregular but generally include properties between the west side of San Elijo Avenue and the west side of the alley between Newcastle Avenue and Manchester Avenue; and from the south side of Mozart Avenue to the north side of Orinda Drive. The project area also includes the office properties fronting the north side of Birmingham Drive to Montgomery Avenue.

In the event the following three sites change their current use, the sites would be subject to the General Plan and Specific Plan Amendment process in order to be included as part of the Cardiff Specific Plan.

1. Cardiff Elementary

2. San Elijo Campgrounds

3. North County Transit District (NCTD) Right-Of-Way

Figure 2, Specific Plan Aerial View, depicts the planning area boundaries.

Overall:

In 2001, at the request of the Cardiff Chamber of Commerce and the Cardiff Town Council, the City agreed to support a grass-roots public input process designed to promote consensus-building for a future Cardiff-by-the-Sea Specific Plan. Called the Cardiff Community Consensus Conference, the public input process was held over a three day period and resulted in a series of policy recommendations, including a desire both for preservation and for change. Based on comments made during the 2001 Community Consensus Conference and in subsequent community workshops, the area included within the Cardiff-by-the-Sea Specific Plan is highly prized by residents. In consideration of the concerns and aspirations identified by the community, the overall vision for the Cardiff-by-the-Sea Specific Plan is:

To require that future development comply with rules and regulations that assure the existing community character is maintained and enhanced.

Goal 1: Maintain the eclectic nature of Cardiff-by-the-Sea.

A diversity of architectural styles, landscaping, streetscape, and mix of land uses within a relatively small geographic area infuse the Specific Plan area with a character that the community cherishes. Maintaining the diverse and eclectic qualities of the area requires imagination and constant attention.

Policy 1.1 - Encourage variety in design and materials that retain the existing beach town atmosphere of Cardiff-by-the-Sea.

Policy 1.2 - Facelifts and enhancements to existing buildings should maintain the current scale and feel.

Goal 2: Reinforce community identity and the existing scale and beach town feel.

One characteristic and strength of the Cardiff-by-the-Sea Specific Plan area is its beach town-like scale. Many buildings are sited on smaller lots and are modestly scaled. This means that buildings are small enough to relate directly to pedestrians. As well, they are positioned close to the pathway and to one another so there is a visual link between interior, exterior, and adjacent uses. Distances between retail businesses, offices, housing, public uses, and open space are relatively short. The grid-like street network, pedestrian paths and alleys provide an opportunity for transitions from one use to another and connect diverse community elements.

Policy 2.1 - Maintain the low-rise scale of the Specific Plan area.

Policy 2.2 - Encourage small-lot and small scale uses as opposed to multiple lot consolidation.

Policy 2.3 - Reinforce the beach town atmosphere by requiring that developers adhere to established city ordinances regarding height, bulk, and setbacks.

Policy 2.4 - Limit the height of buildings and landscaping through the goals and policies of the Specific Plan.

Policy 2.5 - Encourage the presence of parking lots that are sensitive to the site, pedestrian use, and view potential.

Policy 2.6 - Define rights-of-way and typical street sections widths along all streets. Policy 2.7 - Make every effort to retain the Cardiff-by-the-Sea Post Office.

Goal 3: Retain existing residential uses within the Specific Plan area.

Policy 3.1 - Apply residential zoning in areas where residential concentrations exist.

Policy 3.2 - Retain housing along the edges of the Specific Plan area to transition single-family neighborhoods from commercial areas.

Goal 4: Enhance pedestrian access and orientation.

There is a strong pedestrian orientation in much of the Specific Plan area, although there are prominent examples where vehicular rather than pedestrian orientation has become dominant.

Policy 4.1 - Reinforce pedestrian orientation through private development and public improvements.

Policy 4.2 - Create a network of pedestrian routes that link parks, public spaces, public facilities, and landmarks in direct and indirect ways.

Policy 4.3 - Reinforce the network of pedestrian routes by creating gateways, walkways, and identification markers that become distinctive community features that also enhance pedestrian orientation.

Policy 4.4 - Develop a streetscape program that incorporates the beach town feel to include pedestrian paths, landscaping, and street rights-of-way, all of which should strengthen pedestrian orientation and use.

Policy 4.5 - Require that all north-south and east-west streets have pedestrian paths so that pedestrians can move freely and safely through the Specific Plan area.

Policy 4.6 - Create pedestrian spaces, where possible, in and among buildings so that outdoor cafes, outdoor coffee shops, outdoor seating areas, street vendors, and wide spaces along outdoor passage-ways can encourage public gathering and use.

Policy 4.7 - Create intersection enhancements to create pedestrian crossings to enhance safety, slow traffic, add visual interest, and signify entry into the specific plan area.

Policy 4.8 - Enhance and increase safety for pedestrians crossing the railroad tracks.

Goal 5: Incorporate alleys with the pedestrian/vehicular network.

Alleys can function as links connecting the street network and buildings within the specific plan area.

Policy 5.1 - Support the use of alleyways as a linkage element within the Specific Plan area. Policy 5.2 - Implement existing City standards for alleys to make them clean, safe and convenient.

Policy 5.3 - Allow alleys to become places where cars move slowly and cautiously, knowing that the right-of-way is shared with pedestrians.

Goal 6: Maintain public view corridors to the ocean.

The Specific Plan area is an open "front door" to the ocean, offering distinct and panoramic views. This view opportunity is created by the absence of buildings west of Highway 101. Unlike many beach communities, the Cardiff-by-the-Sea specific plan area does not straddle Coast Highway 101; rather, it is set back on the sloping terrain east of San Elijo Avenue. Thus land uses and topographic conditions create public view opportunities that have become an intrinsic element of local character and should be protected for the public and residents.

Policy 6.1 - Protect the ocean views within the Specific Plan area from future development through the policies of the Specific Plan.

Policy 6.2 - Create setback standards for view corners to assure that visual sight lines are maintained.

Policy 6.3 - Limit height of buildings in the specific plan area through the goals and policies of the Specific Plan.

Goal 7: Respond to parking scarcity.

Public parking within the Specific Plan area is accommodated principally through the use of on-street parking and off-street surface lots. Residents note that at certain times of the year, parking is scarce.

Policy 7.1 - Consider multiple approaches to resolving parking scarcity issues including public parking along the railroad right-of-way.

Policy 7.2 - Consider the recommendations of 2006 SANDAG Cardiff Business District Parking Study.

Policy 7.3 - Assure that the entry to parking areas is clearly visible to motorists. Policy 7.4 - Explore the use of a Cardiff-by-the-Sea "shuttle service."

Policy 7.5 - Survey the need for timed parking limits.

Goal 8: Enhance Storm Water Quality.

Runoff in the entire Specific Plan area drains into the mouth of the San Elijo Lagoon.

Policy 8.1 - Management of storm water drainage as a top priority through Municipal Code Chapter 20.08, Storm Water Management.

Policy 8.2 - Develop a plan to clean and filter water within the specific plan area, including streets and private property, with a comprehensive solution along the drainage system.

Goal 9: Make traffic impact a controlling factor whenever new development is being considered.

Policy 9.1 - New development shall address the traffic impacts created by the development. If there are any additional developments taking place in the Specific Plan area, the traffic analysis shall consider the additional development to the satisfaction of the current Regional Traffic Standards.

In the General Commercial 1 (C-GC-1) and General Commercial 2 (C-GC-2) zones and except as otherwise specified herein, all provisions of Section 30.48.050 (A) of the Encinitas Municipal Code applicable to sidewalk/outdoor cafes shall apply in addition to the following provisions:

(1) Chapter 9.28 of the Encinitas Municipal Code and City Council policy prohibiting alcohol sales and consumption within the public right-of-way shall apply.

(2) A liability insurance policy naming the City as additionally insured shall be provided as specified by the Engineering Services Department.

In the General Commercial 1 (C-GC-1) and General Commercial 2 (C-GC-2) zones, outdoor displays of merchandise accessory to a legally established retail or wholesale business, is permitted within the front yard setback subject to the following limitations:

(1) Contiguous property owners shall be notified in accordance with Section 30.01, General Provisions, of the Encinitas Municipal Code, if the outdoor display of merchandise is located on private property/commercial complex of five or fewer tenants. If the outdoor display area is in a commercial complex of six or more tenants, then the remaining tenants in the commercial complex shall be notified in accordance with Section 30.01 of the Encinitas Municipal Code, provided that the notification shall only include the tenants in the commercial complex where the proposed outdoor display of merchandise is to be located.

(2) The outdoor display of merchandise shall be limited to the hours of operation of the associated retail or wholesale establishment.

(3) No sound amplification device, musical instrument or sound reproduction device shall be operated or used with the outdoor display of merchandise and any outdoor lighting shall comply with performance standards.

(4) The outdoor display area shall not adversely affect the neighborhood nor be detrimental to persons residing, visiting or working in the area.

(5) The area of the outdoor display of merchandise shall not remove any required parking areas and the display area shall not block access to the entrance of the building or surrounding areas. The area for pedestrian access must remain as least 5 feet in width.

(6) The outdoor display area and types of merchandise must be reviewed by and found to meet the standards of the Encinitas Fire Marshal relative to access and flammability.

(7) All other appropriate provisions of the Specific Plan, including sign regulations, must be met.

(8) Outdoor display shall not require additional parking.

The Cardiff-by-the-Sea Specific Plan is meant to establish development patterns and design character for the area as new development takes place and existing properties are replaced and/or expanded and updated. These Design Recommendations will guide that development and replacement within the Specific Plan area.

The overall goal of these recommendations is to ensure that changes occurring in years to come will add to and enhance the community character, not detract from its distinctive and unique qualities in any way. This includes architectural design, landscape, streets and pedestrian ways and public spaces. A development applicant should understand that these Design Recommendations are not regulatory, such as the development regulations in Chapter 3, but rather discretionary. Language will state "very strongly encouraged" or "encouraged" on items the City would like to see included in a development project and "very strongly discouraged" or "discouraged" on items the City would not like to see included in a development project. Therefore, if any discrepancies between these Design Recommendations and the development regulations occur, the development regulations take precedence.

Creation of a healthy development climate in Cardiff-by-the-Sea is a key purpose of these Design Recommendations. Innovative or creative design solutions and individual expression are encouraged. These Design Recommendations recognize that physical change in Cardiff-by-the-Sea will be incremental. Therefore, each development project that incorporates any level of rebuilding should conform to these recommendations even though certain elements suggested in this Specific Plan may not be continuous throughout the community until later development takes place. Likewise it is expected that each applicant within the area will cooperate by contributing to the overall vision as they improve their property whether in a major or minor way.

The intent of these recommendations is to ensure building design is sensitive to the opportunities and objectives of the specific plan area. Generic design that is transported from other areas is to be avoided in favor of unique design crafted for Cardiff-by-the-Sea. Massing, siting, materials, color and detail all work together to support the existing scale character of the area and carry residential design into the future with similar attention to its visual quality.

A. Single-family detached and town home residential projects are both acceptable, depending on Planning Area.

B. There is not a preferred architectural style. In fact, an eclectic mix of style and period characterizes the area, and that approach to design is expected to continue into the future.

C. Regardless of the form of housing proposed, particular care must be taken to create a project that is compatible with the desirable characteristics and scale of the surrounding neighborhood and Planning Area.

D. New residential developments should be designed to continue the desirable on-site relationships of the original structure(s) and surrounding neighborhood. Parking should be located in the rear and access taken from the side streets or alleys whenever possible.

E. The height and mass of residential projects should be considered within the context of their surroundings. The Development Regulations of this Specific Plan govern these heights and setbacks.

F. To create a secure and active environment, interior open spaces, courtyards, circulation corridors and balconies, and individual living unit entrances should be visible from a majority of the living units. The units should also allow easy surveillance from within the living units.

G. Obscured spaces where intruders might hide should be avoided in the design of all new residential projects.

H. Authenticity in architectural design is important to the overall quality of the environment. This refers to the use of natural materials as opposed to artificial representations, complete four-sided design as opposed to "fronts" and true architectural styles as opposed to overly designed theme park-like representations.

I. Roof forms should be complete. Full hipped or gable roofs are recommended. Flat roofs are discouraged unless they are true to the style of the architecture.

J. The selection of appropriate exterior building materials should be based on the desirable style and materials used in the surrounding neighborhood.

K. Building materials should be durable, require low maintenance, and convey a sense of permanence. The use of multiple materials should be kept to a minimum and excessive changes in materials should be avoided.

L. Wall planes that face a public right-of-way should not run in one continuous direction for more than 20 feet without an offset of at least 3 feet. Where this is accomplished by the use of a building projection, such projection should be a minimum of 6 feet wide.

M. Changes in plane and height, and the inclusion of elements such as balconies, porches, arcades, dormers, and cross gables are encouraged.

N. There is no prescribed color palette for Cardiff-by-the-Sea. However, color is an important element in design that should be considered. The careful consideration and selection of color can support continuity and compatibility while still expressing individuality. This is a delicate and sensitive design technique, but one that is vitally important to overall character.

O. Natural materials, such as stone, brick, tile, and wood are preferred.

This chapter provides recommendations to promote the efficient and safe movement of people and goods within the Cardiff-by-the-Sea Specific Plan area. Policies and standards are presented to ensure that components of the transportation system provide optimal circulation of vehicles, pedestrians, and bicycles while minimizing conflicts and maintaining safety.

North/south vehicular circulation within the Specific Plan area traffic is carried primarily by San Elijo and Newcastle Avenues. A series of east-west streets link Newcastle Avenue with San Elijo Avenue and the surrounding residential community. All the roads in the Specific Plan area are designated either as Special Case, Urban Local, or Augmented Local roads or alleys. The Augmented Locals (Birmingham Drive and San Elijo Avenue) serve to funnel traffic in and out of the Specific Plan area, while local roads primarily are used for internal circulation.

Level of Service (LOS) is the standard unit of measurement that describes the quality of flow through an intersection. There are six levels of service, from A through F, with A representing the least delay and F the most delay.

The Encinitas General Plan indicates the lowest acceptable LOS in the City is D, although the goal is to maintain LOS C or better on Circulation Element roads. Within the Specific Plan area, Birmingham Drive and San Elijo Avenue are designated Circulation Element roads.

The minimum standards for the improvement of streets and roadways located within the Cardiff-by-the-Sea Specific Plan area are provided in the table below. Additional right-of-way may be required to accommodate turn lanes or other improvements to ensure adequate functioning of the following intersections: Birmingham Drive at Newcastle Avenue, Birmingham Drive at San Elijo Avenue, and San Elijo Avenue at Chesterfield Drive. On-street parking may be restricted, as deemed necessary by the City Engineer, to provide for safe travel on narrow roads, and sight distance and turning movements at intersections and driveways. Proposed cross-sections of streets within the Specific Plan area are shown in Figures 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 and described below. These standards shall apply only to that portion of the streets within the boundaries of the Specific Plan Area.

TABLE 5-1 – RECOMMENDED RIGHT-OF-WAY (ROW) IMPROVEMENTS

When improvements of streets or portions of rights-of-way are proposed by the City, or are required of any developer or agency in conjunction with land use or other development, such improvement shall be consistent with these standards.

Consistent with City regulations, requirements to install street improvements may be satisfied by other applicable measures when it is determined that incremental improvements are inappropriate.

Bikeway Master Plans approved by Caltrans have three classes of bikeway facilities:

In 2005, the City of Encinitas adopted an updated version of the 1990 Master Bikeway Plan and Engineering Feasibility Study for the City of Encinitas. That plan proposed several bikeways within the Cardiff Specific Plan area:

In addition to these bikeways, an additional Class III bike route was considered on Newcastle Avenue between Liverpool and Birmingham Drives, which would then travel westerly on Birmingham Drive to San Elijo Avenue. The addition of this Class III bike route would provide a complete bikeway loop through the Specific Plan area, add additional activity along Newcastle Avenue, and reinforce street level activity. However, this route was rejected during the Master Bikeway Plan update given the relatively high traffic volume along Birmingham Drive and auto related crash history at Birmingham and San Elijo Avenue.

See Figure 26, Bikeway Master Plan.

The North County Transit District (NCTD) serves the Specific Plan area via northbound and southbound service on South Coast Highway 101.

As well, the Specific Plan area lies along the southwestern edge of NCTD's "FAST" service area. This means that vans pick up riders anywhere within the designated Encinitas FAST service area and then transport them to transit centers, bus stops, or drop-off points within the service area. One transit transfer point is within the Cardiff Town Center.

In the future, if new transit stops are located within the Specific Plan area, facilities that provide comfort, safety, and legible signage should be provided. The need for signage, seating, protection from natural elements, and refuse facilities should be factored in when new transit stop locations are proposed.

The Cardiff-by-the-Sea Specific Plan was prepared in accordance with applicable goals, policies and provisions of the Encinitas General Plan, which calls for the preparation of a specific plan for the beach-side commercial corridor within the Cardiff community.

The following are applicable goals and policies listed under each element category of the General Plan, followed by a discussion which addresses the specific plan's consistency with the general plan. Any future amendment of General Plan goals and policies should also include consideration of corresponding amendment of this Specific Plan.

GOAL 1 Encinitas will strive to be a unique seaside community providing a balance of housing, commercial, light industrial/office development, recreation, agriculture and open space compatible with the predominant residential character of the community.

POLICY 1.8: Encourage the types of commercial activities which will supply the community with a diverse economic base.

POLICY 1.9: Maintain a proper balance between acreage of commercial land and population served.

POLICY 1.10: Encourage the reasonable regulation of signs to preserve the basic character of the communities and to avoid adverse effect on property values. New pole and roof signage shall be prohibited. Freestanding monument signs shall be permitted, but shall be limited to a maximum height of eight feet. A variance from this height limitation may be granted by the City based on extreme topographic constraints and a demonstration that all other reasonable alternatives have been considered to provide site/business identification. Detailed regulation and limitation shall be specified in the City's zoning regulations. (Coastal Act/30251/Visual Protection)

POLICY 1.11: Encourage the rehabilitation and redevelopment of obsolete or declining commercial development, in ways consistent with community design and development objectives.

GOAL 3 To assure successful planning for future facilities and services, and a proper balance of uses within the city, the City of Encinitas will establish and maintain a maximum density and intensity of residential and commercial uses of land within the city which will:

POLICY 3.4: The City will allow those commercial uses which are necessary to satisfy the current and projected needs of the individual communities as indicated on the Land Use Map and under the policies of this plan.

POLICY 3.5: Commercial areas/zones shall be designated to avoid undue concentrations of commercial development which would increase traffic to levels beyond the current and projected capability of the City's services and facilities to deal with the increased traffic.

POLICY 3.7: With the exceptions described in Policy 3.12, once acknowledged as being consistent with the General Plan and Local Coastal Program, the allowable maximum density of any property designated for residential use shall not be increased except by the affirmative vote of a majority of those voting in the election approving the proposed increase.

POLICY 3.8: With the exceptions described in Policy 3.12, once acknowledged as being consistent with the General Plan and Local Coastal Program, property designated/zoned for non residential uses shall not be redesignated/rezoned to allow residential uses except by the affirmative vote of a majority of those voting in the election approving the proposed change.

POLICY 3.9: With the exceptions described in Policy 3.12, once acknowledged as being consistent with the General Plan and Local Coastal Program, property designated/zoned for residential use shall not be redesignated/rezoned to any non-residential use except by the affirmative vote of a majority of those voting in the election approving the proposed change.

POLICY 3.10: With the exceptions described in Policy 3.12, once acknowledged as being consistent with the General Plan and Local Coastal Program, property designated/zoned for non residential use shall not be redesignated/rezoned to allow more non residential uses or a greater intensity of use except by the affirmative vote of four or more City Council members based upon a finding that the proposed redesignation/rezoning will not substantially reduce revenues to the City and will not substantially increase traffic burdens on roads and highways.

POLICY 3.12: The following may be considered as exceptions to the requirements for voter approval for specified general plan land use map amendments:

1. Minor adjustments in land use boundaries to correctly reflect property or development site boundaries, which adjustments do not substantially change intended area development potential as approved by Council by unanimous vote.

2. Changes to land use designations to correct (a) map omissions and (b) mapping errors which are clearly demonstrated to be errors contrary to the intent of the General Plan as approved by a unanimous Council vote.

3. A change from any land use designation to the Ecological Resource/Open Space/Parks designation, when property has been purchased or land development rights have been secured for land for open space or parks purposes as approved by a unanimous Council vote.

4. Minor land use designation changes when approved by affirmative vote of four or more City Council members. For purposes of this paragraph, "minor" is defined as changes for which certified environmental review per the California Environmental Quality Act has determined that there will be no unmitigable significant negative environmental impacts, and one of the following apply:

(a) Exception for Decrease in Intensity:

The change is to a category of lower land use intensity or density than the existing category that results in a reduction in intensity. For purposes of this determination the following hierarchy of categories, from higher to lower, is established: Light Industrial, General Commercial, Visitor-Serving Commercial, Transportation Corridor, Local Commercial, Public/Semi-Public, Office Professional, Residential 25, Residential 15, Residential 11, Mobilehome Park, Residential 8, Residential 5, Residential 3, Rural Residential 2, Rural Residential 1, Rural Residential, Ecological Resource/Open Space/Parks.

(b) Exception for Residential Density:

The change applies to 5 acres of land area or less, and is a change from a nonresidential to a residential category, or from a residential to another higher-density residential category, which would result in the allowance of ten or fewer additional dwelling units (prior to consideration of any density bonus) for the 5 acre site. The change shall also be determined to be compatible with, and generally not exceeding the density of, surrounding planned land use residential densities.

(c) Exception for Change Within Land Use Class:

The change applies to 5 acres of land area or less, and is a change from one land use category to another when both are within the same class of categories. For purposes of this determination the following classes of categories are established:

i. Rural Residential, Rural Residential 1, Rural Residential 2

ii. Residential 3, Residential 5, Residential 8

iii. Residential 11, Residential 15, Residential 25

iv. Office Professional, Local Commercial

v. Visitor Serving Commercial, General Commercial

5. Changes in land use designations when approved by affirmative vote of four or more City Council members, to allow projects that provide a significant public benefit. A "significant public benefit" shall be determined by the City Council.

GOAL 4 The City of Encinitas will ensure that the rate of residential growth:

POLICY 4.2: The City will plan to provide services and facilities concurrent with projected need, sufficient to allow issuance of the maximum annual number of dwelling unit building permits. To guard against an unforeseen shortfall of services or facilities, the City will determine adequacy of services and facilities for each residential development at the discretionary review stage. For dwellings not subject to discretionary review, such determination shall be made with the earliest development permit submittal. No unit shall be approved or permitted for which inadequate services or facilities are available.

GOAL 5 The City of Encinitas will ensure that the rate of commercial growth:

POLICY 5.1: Commercial growth within the City should be sufficient to support residential growth and provide adequate services to the citizens of the individual communities.

POLICY 5.2: Proposed commercial growth should reflect a general balance of uses within the community.

POLICY 5.3: The City shall develop and implement commercial zoning and development standards which will accomplish the goals and policies of the General Plan, emphasizing quality, community character, and community needs.

GOAL 6 Every effort shall be made to ensure that the existing desirable character of the communities is maintained.

POLICY 6.1: Permit commercial land uses and other types of non residential development only in those areas where such development presently is concentrated or where indicated by the General Plan as long as such development does not result in land use conflicts with surrounding residential development.

POLICY 6.5: The design of future development shall consider the constraints and opportunities that are provided by adjacent existing development. (Coastal Act/30251)

POLICY 6.6: The construction of very large buildings shall be discouraged where such structures are incompatible with surrounding development. The building height of both residential and nonresidential structures shall be compatible with surrounding development, given topographic and other considerations, and shall protect public views of regional or statewide significance. (Coastal Act/30251/30252/30253)

POLICY 6.7: Require commercial development to provide sufficient landscaping to soften the visual impact of commercial buildings and parking areas.

GOAL 7 Development in the community should provide an identity for the City while maintaining the unique identity of the individual communities. (Coastal Act/30253)

POLICY 7.1: Establish design themes for commercial districts located within individual communities.

POLICY 7.3: Although common themes for each of the communities may be established, each community may also promote variety in the design of individual projects.

POLICY 7.4: Develop regulations and incentives for residential, commercial, and industrial developers to vary design, setbacks, driveways, rooflines, materials, colors, landscaping, etc. to ensure variation in the design of individual residential units within larger subdivisions and commercial/ industrial projects.

POLICY 7.6: Private development shall coordinate with street/public improvements; i.e. streetscape, landscape, site design and the like.

POLICY 7.7: The downtown area of Cardiff-by-the-Sea is designated a Specific Plan area. Development shall be allowed prior to the completion of the Specific Plan.

(a) Commercial development shall be compatible to surrounding residential uses relative to height, building bulk and mass and related complimentary uses.

(b) View preservation standards shall be developed that preserve existing public views and to the extent possible private views.

(c) Streetscape program shall be established that compliments and enhances usual quality of the community.

(d) Establish standards that will help to revitalize the commercial corridor.

(e) Provide for residential uses in commercial zones along the corridor provided the residential uses are accessory and incidental to the principal commercial use.

(f) Develop standards for development to vary design, setbacks, materials, colors, landscaping and the like to ensure a variation in the design of individual projects that can be tied together via common parking and internal circulation, and a common streetscape design.

GOAL 1 Encourage the provision of a wide range of housing by location, type of unit, and price level to meet the current and future housing needs in the City.

POLICY 1.3: Ensure that new residential units are compatible in design with the surrounding residential neighborhood as planned by the City.

GOAL 3 The City will promote the development of high quality housing, enforce the maintenance of safe and decent housing, and improve the quality of life in residential neighborhoods.

POLICY 3.5: Continue to implement design review criteria that encourage high quality standards of design and materials in all residential developments.

GOAL 1 Encinitas should have a transportation system that is safe, convenient and efficient, and sensitive to and compatible with surrounding community character. (Coastal Act/30252)

POLICY 1.2: Endeavor to maintain Level of Service C as a basic design guideline for the local system of roadways understanding that the guideline may not be attainable in all cases.

POLICY 1.3: Prohibit development which results in Level of Service E or F at any intersection unless no alternatives exist and an overriding public need can be demonstrated.

POLICY 1.4: Require, where feasible, interconnecting off-street pedestrian and vehicular circulation between adjacent commercial and office land uses. This policy should be required along major transportation corridors to minimize traffic conflicts associated with pedestrian and vehicular movement to and from these properties. (Coastal Act/30252)

POLICY 1.7: Encourage adjacent properties to use common access points to access prime arterials, major roads, collectors and augmented local streets.

POLICY 1.9: Minimize private driveway access onto both major and collector roads.

POLICY 1.12: The City will promote increased off street parking for existing and future commercial and residential uses in the near coast area, will minimize curb cuts for new development in the vicinity of beach access points in order that the maximum amount of curb parking will be available to beach users, and will encourage remote parking/shuttle service and park and ride facilities in the Coastal Zone. The City will require that all commercial, industrial and residential uses be designed and constructed with sufficient off street parking and loading facilities to assure adequate parking is provided with new development such that no adverse impacts on coastal access are documented. Parking ratios shall be utilized as specified and detailed in the City's Zoning Code and in implementing Specific Plans which provide sufficient parking spaces so as not to require patrons/employees/residents to utilize parking which is necessary/required for other approved uses or street and other public parking that should otherwise be available for public use. (Coastal Act/30252)

POLICY 1.15: The City will actively support an integrated transportation program that encourages and provides for mass transit, bicycle transportation, pedestrians, equestrians, and car pooling. (Coastal Act/30252)

POLICY 1.17: Standards shall be established and implemented to provide for adequate levels of street lighting, based on criteria of safety and related to volumes of vehicular, pedestrian and bicycle activity and potential points of conflict. Such standards shall be designed to respect different community and neighborhood needs for lighting, different community standards for design and special attention given to preservation of dark sky.

POLICY 1.18: Standards shall be established and implemented to provide for a comprehensive system of traffic control devices and signing, based on sound traffic engineering principals, to assure traffic safety and preservation of community character.

POLICY 1.19: The City will provide for adequate levels of maintenance of all improved components of the circulation system, such as roadways, sidewalks, bicycle facilities, roadway drainage systems, pedestrian, recreational trails, bicycle trails and facilities.

GOAL 2 The City will make every effort to develop a varied transportation system that is capable of serving both the existing population and future residents while preserving community values and character. (Coastal Act/30252/30253)

POLICY 2.1: Adopt and implement standards for rural, semi rural, and urban roadways within the City consistent with community character.

POLICY 2.4: When considering circulation patterns and standards, primary consideration will be given to the preservation of character and safety of existing residential neighborhoods. Where conflicts arise between convenience of motorists and neighborhood safety/community character preservation, the latter will have first priority.

POLICY 2.8: Where necessary, require acquisition of right-of-way as a condition of approval of all final subdivision maps. Encourage landscaping of rights of way if not being used for public roads, hiking/riding trails or beach access trails.

POLICY 2.9: Develop new alternate road and intersection standards to promote retention of existing neighborhood atmosphere.

POLICY 2.10: Establish landscaping buffer and building setback requirements along all roads which are local augmented status or larger, except where inappropriate. (Coastal Act 30252)

POLICY 2.12: Encourage unique characteristic community design standards for traffic signals and intersection signing and other street improvements, structures and furniture.

POLICY 2.13: Encourage landscaped medians and parkways on all roadways where practical.

POLICY 2.14: Develop rural, semi rural, and urban standards and criteria for private streets including a mechanism for on going maintenance.

POLICY 2.16: Develop a program to improve alleyways with paving and drainage improvements.

POLICY 2.18: Where possible, functioning of the street system should be improved by the installation of intersection improvements.

GOAL 3 The City of Encinitas will promote the use of other modes of transport to reduce the dependence on the personal automobile. (Coastal Act/30252)

POLICY 3.1: The needs of the handicapped will be considered in new development plans including handicapped parking, loading, etc.

POLICY 3.2: Continue to assist in expanding public transportation and emphasize public transportation in future development with preference given to cost effective alternatives. (Coastal Act/30252)

POLICY 3.3: Create a safe and convenient circulation system for pedestrians. (Coastal Act/30252)

POLICY 3.4: Cooperate with San Diego County, SANDAG, and other jurisdictions to help plan and implement a regional multi modal transportation system that is accessible to residents in the City. (Coastal Act/30252)

POLICY 3.6: The City should provide and encourage efficient links between possible rail transit service and other transportation modes, including rerouting of bus service to interface with transit stops.

POLICY 3.8: A program shall be developed to install sidewalks or paths, where appropriate, around schools, churches, active parks, commercial and other areas of pedestrian activity where public safety or welfare is at issue (Coastal Act/30252)

POLICY 3.10: Standards shall be established for the location and design of news racks, signs, walls and other improvements which encroach into the public right-of-way. (Coastal Act/30251)

POLICY 3.11: The City will strive to implement a safe, direct, and convenient circulation system for commuting and recreational bicycle traffic. The City will support the development of additional bicycle facilities in the Coastal Zone, including the following:

GOAL 4 The City should make every effort to develop a circulation system that highlights the environmental and scenic amenities of the area. (Coastal Act/30251)

POLICY 4.2: Promote and encourage roadside and median landscaping. (Coastal Act/30251)

POLICY 4.3: Separate pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular traffic by encouraging adequate space for walking and biking by striping roadways, excepting freeways. Coastal Act/30252)

POLICY 4.9: Prohibit whenever legally possible, or strictly regulate billboards on city streets, roads, freeways, railroad rights of way, and lagoons. (Coastal Act/30251/30253)

POLICY 4.10: Develop street lighting standards, where appropriate, consistent with neighborhood/community character and night sky viewing.

POLICY 4.11: Keep street lighting, curbs, and gutter requirements consistent with individual neighborhood character.

POLICY 4.12: Encourage undergrounding of utilities within street rights of way and transportation corridors. (Coastal Act/30251)

POLICY 4.14: Where feasible, minimize the dependence on private motor vehicles. (Coastal Act/30252)

GOAL 1 Public health and safety will be considered in future land use planning. (Coastal Act/30253)

GOAL 2 The City of Encinitas will make an effort to minimize potential hazards to public health, safety, and welfare and to prevent the loss of life and damage to health and property resulting from both natural and man-made phenomena.

POLICY 2.4: Setbacks, easements, and access, necessary to assure that emergency services can function with available equipment, shall be required and maintained.

GOAL 1 The City will conserve, protect, and enhance the water resources in the planning area. (Coastal Act/30231)

POLICY 1.1: Require new development to utilize measures designed to conserve water in their construction.

POLICY 1.10: Promote the use of water efficient sprinkling and gardening systems to include ordinances and technology to encourage drought tolerant plants.

POLICY 1.11: If a development can be connected to the sewer system, the system must have the capacity to handle the additional load of the proposed project.

GOAL 7 The City will make every effort to ensure significant scientific and cultural resources in the planning area are preserved for future generations. (Coastal Act/30250)

POLICY 7.1: Require that paleontological, historical and archaeological resources in the planning area are documented, preserved or salvaged if threatened by new development. (Coastal Act/30250)

POLICY 7.2: Conduct a survey to identify historic structures and archaeological/cultural sites throughout the community and ensure that every action is taken to ensure their preservation. (Coastal Act/30250/30253(5))

POLICY 7.3: The City will pursue the development of a historic resources program to assist in the identification, preservation, and restoration of those buildings, structures, and places within the City that have historic significance.

GOAL 9 The City will encourage the abundant use of natural and drought tolerant landscaping in new development and preserve natural vegetation, as much as possible, in undeveloped areas. (Coastal Act/30240/30251)

POLICY 9.1: The City will initiate and pursue the landscaping of appropriate median and parking areas with trees on all new and existing arterial streets. (Coastal Act/30251)

POLICY 9.4: Encourage and adopt standards for the use of drought tolerant and/or natural landscaping and efficient irrigation systems throughout the City. (Coastal Act/30231/30240)

POLICY 9.5: Encourage and adopt standards for clean up, landscaping, beautification, utility undergrounding, and additional landscaping in parking facilities where needed in existing commercial areas. (Coastal Act/30251/30252)

POLICY 9.6: Require landscaping in the design of new residential, commercial, and industrial areas and buildings as detailed in the City Zoning Code regulations. (Coastal Act/30251/30253)

POLICY 9.7: Encourage and adopt standards for landscaping of existing commercial and industrial uses to screen and buffer unsightly and congested commercial/industrial areas from surrounding land uses. (Coastal Act/30251)

GOAL 13 Create a desirable, healthful, and comfortable environment for living while preserving Encinitas' unique natural resources by encouraging land use policies that will preserve the environment. (Coastal Act/30250/30251)

POLICY 13.5: The City shall promote and require the conservation and preservation of natural resources and features of the area in their natural state and avoid the creation of a totally urbanized landscape. Encourage the planting of trees and other vegetation, especially native species to enhance the environment. (Coastal Act/30240/30251).

GOAL 1 The maintenance of the open space resources in the planning area will continue to be emphasized. (Coastal Act/30240)

POLICY 1.14: The City shall attempt to acquire the Santa Fe railroad right-of-way, should it become available, for the development of recreational facilities and landscaping as well as transportation and other public needs.

GOAL 1 Provide an acceptable noise environment for existing and future residents of the City of Encinitas.

POLICY 1.1: Review actions or projects that may have noise generation potential to determine what impact they may have on existing land uses. If a project would cause an increase in traffic noise levels, the policy of the City of Encinitas is to accept an increase up to an Ldn of 55 dB in outdoor residential use areas without mitigation. If a project would increase the traffic noise level by more than 5 dB and the resulting Ldn would be over 55 dB, then mitigation measures must be evaluated. If the project, or action, would increase traffic noise levels by 3 dB or more and the resulting Ldn would exceed 60 dB in outdoor use areas in residential development, noise mitigation must be similarly evaluated. The impact of non transportation projects must generally be evaluated on a case by case basis. The following recommendations will aid in evaluating the impacts of commercial and industrial projects.

(a) Performance Standards Adjacent to Residential Areas. New commercial construction adjacent to residential areas should not increase noise levels in a residential area by more than 3 dB (Ldn) or create noise impacts which would increase noise levels to more than an Ldn of 60 dB at the boundary of the nearest residential area, whichever is more restrictive.

(b) Performance Standards Adjacent to Commercial and Industrial Areas. New commercial projects should not increase noise levels in a commercial area by more than 5 dB (Ldn) or increase noise levels to an Ldn in excess of 70 dB (office buildings, business and professional) or an Ldn of 75 dB (industrial) at the property line of an adjacent commercial/industrial use, whichever is more restrictive.

These criteria may be waived if, as determined by a noise analysis, there are mitigating circumstances (such as higher existing noise levels) and/or no uses would be adversely affected. Where conditions are unusual or where backgrounds are unusually low and the characteristics of a new noise source are not adequately described by using the Ldn noise descriptor, additional acoustical analysis is encouraged and the conclusions of such analysis will be considered by the City.

POLICY 1.2: An Ldn of 60 dB is the maximum acceptable outdoor noise level in residential outdoor use areas. The City recognizes that there are residential areas in which existing noise levels exceed an acceptable level. The City will adopt a Noise Wall/Barrier Installation Policy for determining which areas should receive soundwalls along the major street system and to evaluate possible cost participation programs for constructing these soundwalls.

POLICY 1.4: The City will limit truck traffic in residential and commercial areas to designated truck routes. Limit construction, delivery, and through truck traffic to designated routes. Distribute maps of approved truck routes to City traffic officers.

POLICY 1.5: The City will establish and maintain coordination among City, County, and State agencies involved in noise abatement and other agencies to reduce noise generated from sources outside the City's jurisdiction.

POLICY 1.7: Apply Title 24 of the California Administrative Code, associated with noise insulation standards, to single family dwellings.

GOAL 2 Require that new development be designed to provide acceptable indoor and outdoor noise environments.

GOAL 3 Ensure that residents are protected from harmful and irritating noise sources to the greatest extent possible.

GOAL 4 Provide for measures to reduce noise impacts from stationary noise sources.

POLICY 4.1: Ensure inclusion of noise mitigation measures in the design and operation of new and existing development.

Downtown Encinitas Specific Plan