Resource Management ElementRESOURCE MANAGEMENT ELEMENT
CITY OF ENCINITAS GENERAL PLAN
As Amended 1/30/91, 6/16/93, 3/9/94, 5/11/95, and 03/09/11
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Page
Introduction to the Resource Management Element RM-1
Purpose of the Element RM-1
Related Plans and Programs RM-2
Format and Scope of this Element RM-3
Resource Management Goals and Policies RM-3
Quality of Water and Groundwater Resources RM-4
Quality of the Ocean Waters RM-5
Preservation of Trees and Habitat RM-6
Community Views, Vistas and Aesthetic Qualities RM-8
Air Quality RM-11
Waste Management RM-12
Preservation of Cultural Resources RM-13
Preservation of Coastal Areas RM-13
Plant Resources and Landscaping RM-15
Preservation of Environmentally Sensitive Habitats RM-16
Preservation of Agriculture RM-22
Land Use Policy and Resource Management RM-25
Environmental Impacts from New Development RM-26
Energy Conservation RM-27
Related Goals and Policies RM-28
Resource Management Plan RM-30
Land Use Policy RM-30
Natural Resource Management RM-31
Preservation of Scenic Visual Resources RM-33
Cultural Resource Management RM-35
LIST OF TABLES
Table Page
Table 1: Resource Management Policy Matrix RM-29
LIST OF FIGURES
Table Page
Figure 1: Special Study Overlay Zone RM-32
Figure 2: Natural Resources Sensitivity RM-34
Figure 3: Visual Resources Sensitivity RM-36
Figure 4: Cultural Resource Sensitivity RM-38
RM-1 3/29/89
INTRODUCTION TO THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ELEMENT
sites that have been found in the Encinitas area.
The undeveloped areas of the City are the only remnants
of an environment that existed for many thousands of
years. Plant and animal species that were once common
are now confined to habitats that are many times smaller.
Once these habitats are destroyed a number of rare and
endangered plant and animal species may be lost as well.
Other environmental concerns also face the residents of
the City and the surrounding Southern California region.
The air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we
eat have become increasingly polluted over the past
decades due to practices that are environmentally
unsound. Contaminants range from hazardous materials
affecting local groundwater to careless use of
pesticides.
The Land Use Element includes a number of overlay
designations that will be useful in implementing the
policies contained in this Element. In addition, the
Land Use Policy Map identifies those areas of the City
where development densities will be reduced to maximize
any open space which will also benefit efforts to
preserve certain environmentally sensitive areas.
thousands of artifacts and hundreds of archaeological
the evidenced by as New World
region many thousands of years before the European
discovery of the
Early man was attracted to the North County
region, is rich in both natural and cultural resources. This Element
The City of Encinitas, as well as the surrounding Purpose of
This Element is concerned with identifying goals and
policies that are designed to preserve significant
natural and cultural resources in the Planning Area. The
Resource Management Element also builds upon goals and
policies in the other elements, especially the Land Use
Element. The Resource Management Technical Report
provides necessary background information as a supporting
document for the Element.
This Element meets State requirements concerning the
Conservation and Open Space Elements as defined in
Sections 65302e and 65302f of the Government Code.
According to these requirements, the Conservation Element
must contain goals and policies that further the
protection and maintenance of the State's natural
resources, prevents their wasteful exploitation,
RM-2 3/29/89
degradation, and destruction. The Open Space Element must
contain goals and policies concerned with managing all
open space areas, including undeveloped wilderness lands.
There are a number of existing plans and programs which
are directly applicable to the aims and objectives of
this Element. These plans and programs were enacted
through federal and state legislation and are
administered by Federal and State agencies or special
districts that have been delegated with powers to enforce
federal and state law.
• Restore Batiquitos Lagoon to its natural state, to
the extent that this is possible, including the
restoration of tidal action, enhancement of resource
value, protection of buffer areas and the creation of
a 1000+ acre park reserve;
• Acquire additional sites to provide access to the
shoreline;
• Designate the Highway 101 corridor as a scenic
highway;
• Protect coastal floriculture and agriculture within the
coastal area;
• Link existing and future parks with a trails system;
• Retain the low density, semi-rural character of
existing "San Dieguito" communities; and
• Acquire 1000+ acres within the San Elijo Lagoon as an
ecological reserve and regional park.
The State Coastal Commission has prepared guidelines
designed to assist local governments and the Coastal
Commission staff in how to implement State relating to
the Coastal Act. These guidelines have been adhered to
in the preparation of the Local Coastal Program for the
City of Encinitas.
Related Plans
and Programs
California Coastal Plan: This plan was prepared in
response to a public mandate (Coastal Initiative -
Proposition 20, 1972) that underscored citizen desires
that the State's coastal resources be protected. A
regional plan was prepared for the Encinitas Planning
Area by the County of San Diego. This plan included the
following policies, a number of which have been
implemented or are included in this General Plan;
RM-3a 3/9/94
Paragraphs Added
3/9/94
Shoreline Preservation Strategy: In 1993 the San Diego
Association of Governments (SANDAG) adopted a Shoreline
Preservation Strategy, aimed at protecting this
region's shoreline as an environmental amenity, and to
avoid hazards to public safety. The Strategy includes
general objectives and policies, and suggests more
detailed strategies for shoreline preservation for
identified sub-regional "littoral cells." Encinitas is
within the Oceanside Littoral Cell system.
The Encinitas General Plan/LCP is intended to be
consistent with, and to help aide implementation of,
the objectives and policies of the Shoreline
Preservation Strategy. Detailed actions and programs
which may be pursued within Encinitas and immediately
offshore to implement the Strategy must be monitored,
and checked for consistency with the goals and policies
of this General Plan.
California Environmental Quality Act Law and
Guidelines: The California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) was adopted by the State legislature in response
to a public mandate that called for a thorough
environmental analysis of those projects that might
adversely affect the environment. The provisions of the
law, review procedure, and any subsequent analysis are
described in the CEQA Law and Guidelines as amended in
1986. CEQA will continue to be instrumental in ensuring
that the impacts of all potentially significant
projects are assessed by City officials (both appointed
and elected) and the general public.
San Diego County Air Quality Plan: The City of
Encinitas is located within a non-attainment area in
that Federal clean air standards prepared by the
Environmental Protection Agency have not been
achieved. To comply with the provisions of the Clean
Air Act, the State of California established a number
of special districts charged with implementing plans
and programs to achieve Federal clean air standards.
The San Diego County Air Pollution District was
responsible for preparing the 1982 State
Implementation Plan Revision for the San Diego Air
Basin which identifies strategies designed to improve
air quality compliance with Federal standards.
Other Federal laws that are concerned with the
protection of significant cultural and natural
resources include the Endangered Species Act of 1973
(as amended in 1978), the Antiquities Act and the
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National Historic Preservation Act of 1966.
Format and
Scope of
this Element
The Resource Management Element includes two sections in
addition to the Introduction. Resource Management Goals
and Policies follow this section identifying goals and
supporting policies aimed at preserving or managing
resources in the City. This Element also includes a
Resource Management Plan which is concerned with
protecting and managing both natural and cultural
resources. The Plan establishes linkages between the
land use policy and existing resource management programs
to preserve those areas identified as being ecologically
or culturally significant.
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT GOALS AND POLICIES
The goals and supporting policies included in this
Element are concerned with a diverse range of issue
and policy areas. A number of goals and policies focus
on preserving significant habitats in the
RM-4 3/29/89
Quality of
Water and
Groundwater
Resources
One of the most important issues facing the State of
California concerns the continued polluting of the
State's groundwater. Agricultural practices, illegal
dumping of toxic chemicals, urban stormwater, and
inadequate protection against the leaching taking place
in landfills are a few of the many sources contributing
to this pollution. Increased development has also led
to a corresponding decline in groundwater reserves.
Unfortunately, water conservation measures are practiced
on a widespread basis only during periods of prolonged
drought. If the State's water resources are to be
preserved, these water conservation practices need to
be implemented at all times.
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 1.2: Cooperate with the Federal, State, and
County governments and surrounding jurisdictions
concerning the maintenance and improvement of water
quality from local groundwater sources. (Coastal Act/
30231)
POLICY 1.3: The City will implement a program for both
the using and sale of treated wastewater from a new
wastewater treatment facility. The City should attempt
to use the treated wastewater for the landscaping of
transportation corridors, parks and recreation areas, and
other public uses. (Coastal Act/30231)
need for development practices to be sensitive to the
environment are included in the final set of policies.
Finally, policies that emphasize the
emphasized in policies aimed primarily at preserving
views in the coastal zone as well as providing for
scenic highways.
Planning Area including habitats containing rare or
endangered plant and animal species. Another set of
policies underscore the importance of maintaining
agricultural production in the City as long as it is
economically feasible to do so. The maintenance of air
and water quality is emphasized in a number of goals and
policies that support ongoing programs that are being
undertaken to improve the quality of the air we breathe
and the water we drink. The preservation of important
viewsheds within the Planning Area is
RM-5 3/29/89
POLICY 1.4: The City will explore the possibilities of
establishing or promoting a tree farm or plant growing
operation to take advantage of the possibilities for
sewage sludge and wastewater recycling.
POLICY 1.5: A study of the feasibility of participating
with other governmental agencies in the processing of
sludge into usable products should be conducted,
including the possibility of worm farming.
POLICY 1.6: Phase out the use of water softeners which
utilize salt in the water-softening process to prevent
continued degradation of the water. (Coastal Act/30231)
POLICY 1.7: Investigate ways to reduce the reliance of
local water users on imported water. The City will seek
reductions in per capita water consumption and will
support reclaiming sewage effluent for re-use.
POLICY 1.9: Encourage the use of recycled liquid wastes
where appropriate. (Coastal Act/30231)
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.
POLICY 1.12: Development within unsewered areas shall
only be allowed after testing proves that septic systems
would not create potential pollution. All development
within unsewered areas shall be limited to parcels of at
least one (1) acre.
Quality of the
Ocean Waters
The coastal areas not only serve as resources for
recreation and relaxation for both residents and
visitors to the City, but also provide homes to many
forms of marine life. As with groundwater, a major
threat to the quality of our coastal waters comes from
pollution. Policies listed in the following section
focus on the importance of eliminating those practices
that contribute to degradation and pollution of the
secondary sewage treatment through available means such
as development fees, user fees, bond issues, etc. to
prevent sewage pollution into the lagoons, ocean waters,
or ground waters. (Coastal Act/30231)
The City will achieve and maintain POLICY 1.8:
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GOAL 2: The City shall make every effort to improve
ocean water quality. (Coastal Act/30231)
POLICY 2.1: In that ocean water quality conditions are
of utmost importance, the City shall aggressively pursue
the elimination of all forms of potential unacceptable
pollution that threatens marine or human health.
(Coastal Act/30230/30231)
POLICY 2.4: The City shall prohibit support facilities
in the City for offshore exploration of oil or drilling
of oil in coastal waters within its jurisdiction and
strongly discourage such activity in any coastal waters
in San Diego County. (Coastal Act/30232)
Preservation
of Trees
and Habitat
coastal waters. In addition, these policies support the
aims and objectives of the Coastal Act that relate to
the improvement of water quality in coastal waters.
POLICY 2.3: To minimize harmful pollutants from entering
the ocean environment from lagoons, streams, storm drains
and other waterways containing potential contaminants,
the City shall mandate the reduction or elimination of
contaminants entering all such waterways; pursue measures
to monitor the quality of such contaminated waterways,
and pursue prosecution of intentional and grossly
negligent polluters of such waterways. (Coastal
Act/30230/30231/30233)
Trees are important in making a community attractive both
residents and visitors. In addition to the aesthetic
value, these trees also play an important role in
providing habitats and food to a wide variety of animals,
cleansing the air, and even regulating the climate. While
the loss of mature trees in any single community may not
result in any significant adverse affects on the
environment, the cumulative impacts associated with the
cutting down of large numbers of trees within a region
might.
POLICY 2.2: In that the San Elijo ocean wastewater
outfall lies within the jurisdiction of the City and the
Encina outfall lies north of the City, the City shall
encourage the highest feasible level of treatment of
said wastewater prior to entering the outfalls and
continually encourage the reduction of volume of
wastewater to said outfalls by this City and other
jurisdictions. (Coastal Act/30230/30231)
RM-7 3/29/89
In a number of areas of the City there are stands of
trees that existed in native habitats prior to European
settlement. Over many thousands of years, complex plant
and animal communities evolved with these trees being
an important component in the ecosystem. The loss of
mature trees in certain habitats could significantly
alter those habitats in which they are located.
GOAL 3: The City will make every effort possible to
preserve significant mature trees, vegetation and
wildlife habitat within the Planning Area. (Coastal
30240)
POLICY 3.1: Mature trees of community significance
cannot be removed without City authorization.
POLICY 3.2: Mature trees shall not be removed or
disturbed to provide public right-of-way improvements if
such improvements can be deferred, redesigned, or
eliminated. This policy is not meant to conflict with
the establishment of riding/hiking trails and other
natural resource paths for the public good, or with the
preservation of views.
POLICY 3.3: The City will examine ways to aesthetically
trim street trees and vegetation within the public
right-of-way including the possibility of using contract
services or City personnel. (Coastal Act/30240/30251)
POLICY 3.5: A street tree planting program shall be
developed and implemented.
POLICY 3.6: Future development shall maintain
significant mature trees to the extent possible and
incorporate them into the design of development
projects.
POLICY 3.7: Where trees are now encroaching into the
right-of-way, the City will establish a program that
plants replacement trees in anticipation of removal of
existing trees.
POLICY 3.4: A program shall be developed to trim roots
and replace sidewalks and other public facilities which
may be damaged by roots. (Coastal Act/30251/30254)
Community
Views,
Vistas,
and Aesthetic
Qualities
POLICY 4.1: The following Vista Points and others
will be acquired and developed, as feasible:
- Northeast and northwest corner of I-5 and La
Costa Avenue
POLICY 4.2: The following Vista Points will be
developed and maintained as feasible:
POLICY 4.3: The following Vista Points will be
maintained as needed, and upgraded as necessary:
RM-8 3/29/89
GOAL 4: The City, with the assistance of the State,
Federal and Regional Agencies, shall provide the maximum
visual access to coastal and inland views through the
acquisition and development of a system of coastal and
inland vista points. (Coastal Act/30251)
- San Elijo & Kilkenny (overlooking lagoon & coast)
- Highway 101, north of La Costa Avenue
- Encinitas Community Park site (Coastal Act/30251)
- Orpheus Street Park site
- Oak Crest Park site
- West end of "D" Street
- West end of "F" Street
- West end of "J" Street (Coastal Act/30251)
- Leucadia Beach State Park
- West end of "I" Street
- Moonlight State Beach
policies are also consistent with policies contained in
the Coastal Act that stress the importance of preserving
significant viewsheds in the coastal areas.
These designated. been have scenic highways
compromised by future development. Finally, a number
of
program that involves the acquisition and development of
sites for vista points and the establishment of a
"Scenic/Visual Corridor Overlay" land use designation
which will ensure that existing views are not
concerns that significant
The City will undertake a viewshed be preserved.
The importance of aesthetic resources in the City are
underscored by local
RM-9 3/29/89
- Cardiff Beach State Park (south parking lot)
(Coastal Act/30251)
POLICY 4.4: The system of Vista Points will provide for
the differing needs of automobile, bicycle, and
pedestrian users, and will recognize as a recreational
resource, the function of Vista Points as facilities for
the passive, and occasionally remote enjoyment of the
coastal and inland view. (Coastal
Act/30251/30212.5/30210)
POLICY 4.5: The City will designate "Scenic/Visual
Corridor Overlay" areas within which the character of
development would be regulated to protect the integrity
of the Vista Points according to the following criteria:
- Critical viewshed areas should meet the following
requirements:
• extend radially for 2,000 feet (610M) from the
Vista Point; and
• cover areas upon which development could
potentially obstruct, limit, or degrade the
view.
- Development within the critical viewshed area
should be subject to design review based on the
following:
• building height, bulk, roof line and color
and scale should not obstruct, limit or
degrade the existing views;
(Coastal Act/30251/30253)
POLICY 4.6: The City will maintain and enhance the
scenic highway/visual corridor viewsheds. (Coastal
Act/30251)
POLICY 4.7: The City will designate the following view
corridors as scenic highway/visual corridor viewsheds:
- Swami's City Park
- Existing Vista Point on southbound I-5
landscaping should be located to screen
adjacent undesirable views (parking lot
areas, mechanical equipment, etc.)
RM-10 3/29/89
- Saxony Road, from Leucadia Blvd., north to La
Costa Ave.
- Highway 101 from Encinitas Blvd. south to Santa
Fe Drive
- El Camino Real from Encinitas Blvd. north to La
Costa Blvd.
- Highway 101, La Costa Ave. to South Carlsbad
Beach
- La Costa Ave. from just west of I-5 to El Camino
Real
- Highway 101, from Encinitas Blvd. to La Costa
Ave.
- San Elijo Ave. (and Hwy 101) south of Cardiff
Beach State Park to Santa Fe Drive
- Manchester Ave. from San Elijo Ave. to Encinitas
Blvd.
- Interstate 5, crossing San Elijo Lagoon (Coastal
Act/30251/30253)
POLICY 4.8: The City will designate Scenic/Visual
Corridor Overlay and scenic highway viewshed areas as
illustrated on the Visual Resource Sensitivity Map
(Figure 3). (Coastal Act/30251)
POLICY 4.9: The City will designate historic viewsheds
in order to preserve historical views which represent a
significant cultural or historic resource to the
community. The following historic viewsheds will be
developed and maintained as feasible:
- Station White
POLICY 4.10: It is intended that development would be
subject to the design review provisions of the Scenic/
Visual Corridor Overlay Zone for those locations within
Scenic View Corridors, along scenic highways and
adjacent to significant viewsheds, historic viewsheds
and vista points with the addition of the following
design criteria:
• Type and physical characteristics of roadway
should be compatible with natural character of
corridor, and with the scenic highway function.
- Leucadia Blvd. between Hwy 101 and El Camino Real
- Road Design
• Building and vegetation setbacks, scenic easements,
and height and bulk restrictions should be used to
maintain existing views and vistas from the
roadway.
• Off-site signage should be prohibited and existing
billboards removed.
areas and Escondido Creek.
• Where possible, development should be placed and
set back from the bases of bluffs, and similarly,
set back from bluff or ridge top silhouette lines;
shall leave lagoon areas and floodplains open,
and shall be sited to provide unobstructed view
corridors from the nearest scenic highway.
environment. (Coastal Act/30251/30253)
POLICY 4.11: The City will develop a program to preserve
views that also preserves the appropriate vegetation and
removes obstacles that impact views. Trees and vegetation
which are themselves part of the view quality along the
public right-of-way will be retained. (Coastal
Act/30251)
Air Quality
RM-11 3/29/89
- Development Design
regulated along any bluff silhouette line
on adjacent slopes within view of the lagoon
and minimized be should Development
native the of colors and
location on site to the topography, existing
vegetation,
viewshed area must respond in scale, roof
line, materials, color, massing,
within allowed is that Development
participate in programs to improve air and water
quality in the San Diego region. (Coastal Act/30231)
The City will make every effort to GOAL 5:
The City is located in the San Diego Air Basin which
has been designated as a non-attainment area for a number
of air pollutants including ozone, carbon monoxide, and
suspended particulates. As indicated in the following
goal and supporting policies, the City will endeavor to
contribute to ongoing efforts for improving the air
quality within the region. In addition, the City will
cooperate with current efforts undertaken by the Federal
government aimed at improving water quality in the
region.
RM-12 3/29/89
POLICY 5.1: The City will monitor and cooperate with
the ongoing efforts of the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, the San Diego Air Pollution Control
District, and the State of California Air Resources Board
in improving air quality in the regional air basin. The
City will implement appropriate strategies from the San
Diego County SIP which are consistent with the goals
and policies of this plan.
POLICY 5.2: The City will monitor and cooperate with
the ongoing efforts of the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, the State of California Water
Resources Control Board, and the Regional Water Quality
Control Board in improving water quality in the San
Diego region.
Waste
Management
Solid and liquid waste is a necessary byproduct of our
society. Every person generates hundreds of pounds of
solid waste and thousands of gallons of liquid waste
every year. Commercial and industrial establishments
generate additional waste that must be disposed of.
Programs are needed to address the problems of
disposal of these wastes and ensuring that these
substances do not pollute after they have been
disposed of. The following goal and supporting
policies underscore the City's resolve towards
achieving this balance.
GOAL 6: The City will make every effort to reduce the
amount of solid and liquid waste generated in the
Planning Area and will identify ways to responsibly deal
with these wastes.
POLICY 6.1: The City will phase in all practical forms
of mandatory recycling as soon as possible.
POLICY 6.2: The City will contract only with waste
haulers who will willingly cooperate with the City's
recycling effort.
POLICY 6.3: The City will continue to oppose the
permanent location of hazardous waste disposal
facilities, trash-burning plants and inappropriate
sitings of landfills in or adjacent to the City.
POLICY 6.4: The City will cooperate with other cities in
the region to site and operate both landfill and
recycling facilities.
RM-13 3/29/89
Preservation
of Cultural
Resources
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.
POLICY 7.4: The City will encourage the development of
cultural facilities to be made available to the public,
such as performing arts theaters, museums, and libraries.
(Coastal Act/30250)
Preservation
of Coastal
Areas
and safe for residents and visitors in the future. A
number of other policies focus on the replenishment of
the beaches and the maintenance of the coastal bluffs
which overlook the beaches.
recreation has resulted in additional
following policies ensure that the
maintained so they will be both clean beaches will be
Furthermore, the use of the beaches by many thousands
of persons for
impacts. The
processes. natural radically altered the
continual change due to natural processes. Modern
development, including the construction of dams on major
streams and development of the coastal areas have
The coast is a dynamic environment undergoing
The City of Encinitas is rich in both prehistoric and
historic resources. Human occupation of the area predates
European settlement by many thousands of years as
evidenced by the large number of archaeological sites
that have been identified in recent years. Just as
significant, are the large number of structures that are
considered to be historically significant by the five
communities that comprise the City. The following goal
and policies indicate how important the preservation of
these resources are to the residents of the City.
RM-14 3/29/89
GOAL 8: The City will undertake programs to ensure that
the Coastal Areas are maintained and remain safe and
scenic for both residents and wildlife. (Coastal
Act/30240)
POLICY 8.2: Institute a comprehensive program for
maintaining all beaches within the incorporated
boundaries of the City. (Coastal Act/30220)
POLICY 8.3: Institute a program of identifying and
removing man-made hazardous obstacles from our coastal
waters, shorelines and beaches. (Coastal
Act/30220/30230)
POLICY 8.4: Utilize work release program volunteers and
other available sources to assist in the clean up of
beaches and other public areas throughout the City.
(Coastal Act/30220)
POLICY 8.6: The City will encourage measures which would
replenish sandy beaches in order to protect coastal
bluffs from wave action and maintain beach recreational
resources. The City shall consider the needs of surf-
related recreational activities prior to implementation
of such measures. (Coastal Act/30233/30235)
POLICY 8.1: Ban the possession and use of materials or
articles on beaches, lagoons, and in City parks which
are hazardous to wildlife. (Coastal Act/30240)
POLICY 8.5: The City will encourage the retention of
the coastal bluffs in their natural state to minimize
the geologic hazard and as a scenic resource.
Construction of structures for bluff protection shall
only be permitted when an existing principal structure
is endangered and no other means of protection of that
structure is possible. Only shoreline/bluff structures
that will not further endanger adjacent properties shall
be permitted as further defined by City coastal bluff
regulations. Shoreline protective works, when approved,
shall be aligned to minimize encroachment onto sandy
beaches. Beach materials shall not be used as backfill
material where retaining structures are approved.
Approved devices protecting against marine waves shall
be designed relative to a design wave, at least equal to
1982-83 winter storm waves. (Coastal
Act/30235/30240/30251/30253)
RM-15 3/29/89
POLICY 8.7: The City will establish, as primary
objectives, the preservation of natural beaches and
visual quality as guides to the establishment of
shoreline structures. All fishing piers, new boat launch
ramps, and shoreline structures along the seaward
shoreline of Encinitas will be discouraged. (Coastal
Act/30233/30235/30251)
Plant
Resources
And
Landscaping
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 9.2: All drainage courses should be maintained
in natural or semi-natural vegetation utilizing existing
topography as opposed to concrete ditches or pipes.
(Coastal Act/30231/30240)
POLICY 9.3: Where possible, bridges should be used in
lieu of pipes, box culverts, or underground channels to
preserve the integrity of the natural stream courses, in
keeping with community character in the Planning Area.
(Coastal Act/30231/30240)
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)
The importance of preserving natural vegetation has been
emphasized in other goals and policies included elsewhere
in this Element and is restated here. The following
policies stress the importance of landscaping in new
development. The following policies establish
guidelines for landscaping in all new development in
Encinitas which will both enhance the City's overall
appearance and that of the individual developments. The
following policies also support the objectives of the
Coastal Act concerned with the preservation of plant
resources.
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)
POLICY 9.8: Brush clearing and grading for
agricultural, construction and non-construction
purposes shall be subject to City review. (Coastal
Act/30240)
Preservation
of
Environmentally
Sensitive
Habitats
POLICY 9.9: The City shall develop and implement a
program to preserve natural drainage courses and their
associated vegetation. (Coastal Act/30240)
GOAL 10: The City will preserve the integrity, function,
productivity, and long term viability of environmentally
sensitive habitats throughout the City, including kelp-
beds, ocean recreational areas, coastal water, beaches,
lagoons and their up-lands, riparian areas, coastal
strand areas, coastal sage scrub and coastal mixed
chaparral habitats. (Coastal Act/30230/30231/30240)
RM-16 3/29/89
reasonable use of the property (one dwelling unit per
lot). This policy shall not apply to construction of
application thereof would preclude any
this policy may be permitted only upon a finding that
strict
A deviation from
impacts on coastal mixed chaparral and coastal sage scrub
environmentally sensitive habitats by preserving within
the inland bluff and hillside systems, all native
vegetation on natural slopes of 25% grade and over other
than manufactured slopes.
The City will minimize development POLICY 10.1:
environmentally significant areas and minimizing
potentially adverse impacts from new development.
these preserving aimed at strategies
resources. The following policies contain guidelines
and
valuable these of preservation
aesthetic or environmental value. The City seeks to
establish a balance between new development and the
maintenance and
A number of areas within the City and the sphere of
influence contain habitats, that once lost, cannot be
replaced. Many of these areas contain plant and animal
species that are unique to the area. Other habitats are
valued by the community for their
RM-17
roads of the City's circulation element, except to the extent that adverse
impacts on habitat should be minimized to the degree feasible. Encroachments
for any purpose, including fire break brush clearance around structures,
shall be limited as specified in Public Safety Policy 1.2. Brush
clearance, when allowed in an area of sensitive habitat or vegetation, shall
be conducted by selective hand clearance. (Coastal
Act/30240/30250/30251/30253)
POLICY 10.2: To preserve and protect sensitive offshore kelp bed areas,
the City will prohibit the overcultivation overpruning, and overcutting of
kelp. (Coastal Act/30230)
- conservation of as much existing contiguous area of Coastal Mixed
Chaparral or Coastal Sage Scrub as feasible while protecting the
remaining areas from highly impacting uses;
- minimize fragmentation or separation of existing contiguous
natural areas;
- connection of existing natural areas with each other or other open
space areas adjacent to maintain local wildlife movement corridors;
- maintenance of the broadest possible configuration of natural
habitat area to aid dispersal of organisms within the habitat;
- where appropriate, based on community character and design,
clustering of residential or other uses near the edges of the
to utilize available beach replenishment sands (as necessary, permits from
the Army Corps of Engineers, California Coastal Commission, Department of
Fish and Game, EPA, etc.). (Coastal Act/30232)
The City shall obtain necessary permits to be able
dredging, in conjunction with the development of a consistent and
approved project.
through excavation or
erosion. Beaches shall be artificially nourished with excavated sand
whenever suitable material becomes available
The City shall explore the prevention of beach sand POLICY 10.3:
POLICY 10.4: The City will develop a program to acquire or preserve the
entire undeveloped riparian corridor within the City that drains into the
San Elijo Lagoon and Batiquitos Lagoon. Methods of financing acquisition
may include, but are not limited to, use of available State and Federal
grants for such purpose; the application of developer or mitigation fees
specifically for open space presentation; and creations of a non-profit or
joint-powers agency for lagoon and drainage sheds acquisition and
management. (Coastal Act/30231/30240)
Mixed Chaparral and Coastal Sage Scrub environmentally sensitive habitats
by including all parcels containing concentrations of these habitats within
the Special Study Overlay designation. The following guidelines will be
used to evaluate projects for approval.
The City will control development design on Coastal POLICY 10.5:
RM-18
natural areas rather than dispersing such uses within the
natural areas;
- where significant, yet isolated habitat areas exist, development
shall be designed to preserve and protect them;
- conservation of the widest variety of physical and vegetational
conditions on site to maintain the highest habitat diversity;
- design of development, with adjacent uses given consideration,
to maximize conformance to these guidelines; and
- preservation of rare and endangered species on site rather than by
transplantation off site. (Coastal Act/30240/30250)
Game. Policy 10.5 amended 5/11/95 (Reso. 95-32)
There shall be no net loss of wetland acreage or resource value as a result
of land use or development, and the City's goal is to realize a net
gain in acreage and value when ever possible.
Within the Coastal Zone, the diking, filling, or dredging of open coastal
waters, wetlands, estuaries, and lakes shall be permitted where there
is no feasible less environmentally damaging alternative, and where
feasible mitigation measures have been provided to minimize adverse
environmental effects, and shall be limited to the following newly
permitted uses and activities:
b. Mineral extraction, including sand for restoring beaches, except
in environmentally sensitive areas.
d. Nature study, aquaculture, or other similar resource dependent
activities.
States Fish and Wildlife Service and California Department of Fish and
United with the consultation in be implemented
Conservation Planning (NCCP) Act. Compliance with these goals
requirements shall
In addition, all new development shall be designed to be consistent with
multi-species and multi-habitat preservation goals and requirements as
established in the statewide Natural Communities
be
the
limited to, all lands which are transitional between terrestrial
aquatic systems where the water table is usually at or near surface
or the land is covered by shallow water.
POLICY 10.6: The City shall preserve and protect wetlands within the City's
planning area. "Wetlands" shall be defined and delineated consistent with
the definitions of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Coastal Act and the Coastal Commission
Regulations, as applicable, and shall include, but not
a. Incidental public service projects.
c. Restoration purposes.
RM-19
Identification of wetland acreage and resource value shall precede any
consideration of use or development on sites where wetlands are present
or suspected. With the exception of development for the primary purpose
of the improvement of wetland resource value, all public and private use
and development proposals which would intrude into, reduce the area of,
or reduce the resource value of wetlands shall be subject to alternatives
and mitigation analyses consistent with Federal E.P.A 404(b)(1) findings
and procedures under the U.S. Army Corps permit process. Practicable
project and site development alternatives which involve no wetland
intrusion or impact shall be preferred over alternatives which involve
intrusion or impact. Wetland mitigation, replacement or compensation shall
not be used to offset impacts or intrusion avoidable through other
practicable project or site development alternatives. When wetland
intrusion or impact is unavoidable, replacement of the lost wetland shall
be required through the creation of new wetland of the same type lost, at
a ratio determined by regulatory agencies with authority over wetland
resources, but in any case at a ratio of greater than one acre provided
for each acre impacted so as to result in a net gain. Replacement of
wetland on-site or adjacent, within the same wetland system, shall be
given preference over replacement off-site or within a different system.
The City shall also control use and development in surrounding areas of
influence to wetlands with the application of buffer zones. At a minimum,
100-foot wide buffers shall be provided upland of salt water wetlands, and
50-foot wide buffers shall be provided upland of riparian wetlands.
Unless otherwise specified in this plan, use and development within buffer
areas shall be limited to minor passive recreational uses with fencing,
desiltation or erosion control facilities, or other improvements deemed
necessary to protect the habitat, to be located in the upper (upland) half
of the buffer area when feasible.
5/11/95 (Reso. 95-32)
POLICY 10.7: The City will urge the State to take appropriate preservation
measures relative to Coastal Strand Dune habitat in its development of State
beach areas. (Coastal Act/30240)
POLICY 10.8: The City will investigate the establishment of one or more
preserves for the preservation of endangered plant species, such as the
Encinitas Baccharis, of sufficient size to ensure perpetuation of the
species. (Coastal Act/30240)
All wetlands and buffers identified and resulting from development and use
approval shall be permanently conserved or protected through the application
of an open space easement or other suitable device.
The City shall not approve subdivisions or boundary line adjustments which
would allow increased impacts from development in wetlands or wetland
buffers. (Coastal Act/30231) Policy 10.6 amended 1/30/91 and
RM-20 1/30/91
Policy 10.9
Amended
1/30/91
- involve wetland fill or increased sedimentation
into wetlands;
- adversely affect existing wildlife habitats.
(Coastal Act/30231)
POLICY 10.10: The City will encourage and cooperate with
other responsible agencies to plan and implement an
integrated management plan for the long-term conservation
and restoration of wetlands resources at San Elijo Lagoon
(and where it applies, Batiquitos Lagoon), Escondido and
Encinitas Creeks and their significant upstream feeder
creeks, according to the following guidelines:
- Plans for the west, central and eastern basins
should be treated as internal parts of the whole;
manipulations;
- Wildlife corridors between the wetland shoreline
and important upland areas and upstream riparian
areas should be maintained and enhanced;
proposed development, etc., show that a smaller
- adversely decrease stream flow into the wetlands;
- reduce tidal interchange;
- reduce internal water circulation; or
discreet physical alterations can be performed as
funds become available, and so that the effects of
changes can be evaluated at each stage, and
recognizing the experimental basis of wetland
The plan should be implemented in phases so that
development occurs adjacent to the floodplain and
sensitive habitats; 100 foot wide buffers should
be provided adjacent to all identified wetlands,
and 50 foot wide buffers should be provided
adjacent to riparian areas. In some cases, smaller
buffers may be appropriate, when conditions of
the site as demonstrated in a site specific
biological survey, the nature of the
Adequate buffer zones should be utilized when
POLICY 10.9: The City will encourage the preservation
and the function of San Elijo Lagoon and Batiquitos
Lagoon and their adjacent uplands as viable wetlands,
ecosystems and habitat for resident and migratory
wildlife, by prohibiting actions (subject to the detailed
provisions of RM policy 10.6) which:
RM-21 3/29/89
buffer would provide adequate protection; and when
the Department of Fish and Game has been consulted
and their comments have been accorded great weight.
- Management plans should implement adopted State
and Federal wildlife management plans (i.e.,
California Least Tern Recovery Plan, etc.);
- Human uses of the wetland and adjacent areas should
be compatible with the primary use of the wetland
as a natural value;
- Passive recreational activity at the lagoons
should be encouraged to the extent there are no
substantial adverse impacts to wildlife;
important sensitive wildlife habitat;
populations;
is operational;
management agencies) to the extent feasible;
improvements;
wetland shoreline since the immediate wetland
shoreline and adjacent shallows are the most
There should be limited human access to the
Boating and other water surface activities should
catch basins or other control devices outside the
wetland area and should allow for periodic removal
of recently accumulated sediment from the lagoon
until a long-range sediment control plan
The plan should include a provision for sediment
species already known to use the wetlands, as well
as certain "featured" species recognized as
depleted, rare, or endangered (California Least
Tern, Belding's Savannah Sparrow, Snowy Plover,
and other species recommended by wildlife
Plans should attempt to optimize the habitat for
circulation, tidal flushing, and plant habitat
water internal lagoon to restore
be disturbed, except as should not cover)
required
particular, topography, hydrology, and vegetative
The integrity of the existing natural system (in
not be allowed in significant wildlife habitat
areas, particularly in the central and east basins
of the San Elijo Lagoon and parts of the west
basin supporting significant waterbird
RM-22 3/29/89
maintenance of optimal conditions;
reduced or degraded;
and improving tidal flow with the ocean;
(Coastal Act/30231/30233)
Preservation
of
Agriculture
biological changes should be carried out for
periodic re-evaluation of the management plan and
Adequate monitoring of chemical, physical and
Rare and significant habitats such as coastal
serve to remove impediments to internal lagoon
water circulation (except where such areas are
significant wildlife habitats in their own right)
High priority shall be given to actions which
blockage such as that caused by existing fills for
transportation facilities and by existing dikes
to the extent necessary to create an adequate
internal water circulation system.
It shall be a long-range goal to remove the flow
facilities, boating facilities, etc.) shall not be sited
in the wetland area (San Elijo Lagoon and contiguous
wetlands). (Coastal Act/30231)
Coastal-dependent developments (i.e., utility
necessarily adjunct aquaculture uses. No recreational
boating facilities will be permitted in San Elijo
Lagoon.
non-degrading recreational activities; and facilities
public facilities;
study; passive,
minor
nature
to
feasible, restore the biological productivity and quality
of San Elijo Lagoon, the City will limit alterations and
uses
restorative measures;
In acting to maintain and, where POLICY 10.11:
strand (dunes), salt flats and fresh water ponds
existing in and around the lagoon should not be
A surprising amount of land within the Planning Area
devoted to some form of agricultural production. The City
of Encinitas and the surrounding area continues to
produce a large proportion of cut flowers for the
Statewide market. While prime agricultural land as
defined by the USDA is limited to a few areas, soils in
the region are well suited for the crops grown there.
In recent years, much of this land has been lost due to
development and there may be increased pressure to
develop the remaining agricultural lands. The following
policies underscore the City's commitment toward
preserving the remaining agricultural lands in the City.
RM-23
GOAL 11: The City recognizes the important contribution
of agricultural and horticultural land uses in the local
economy and the emphasis of the need to maintain these
activities.
POLICY 11.1: Investigate the feasibility of
establishing and instituting an incentive program for
preservation of land within the City suitable for
agricultural production. Institute such a program if
fiscally sound within the City.
POLICY 11.2: Support agricultural water rates for
agricultural/horticultural operations and explore the
use of treated wastewater for agricultural operations.
POLICY 11.3: Support efforts of the floriculture
industry and/or the University of California Extension
Service in establishing a farm cooperative and/or flower
auction in the City of Encinitas.
POLICY 11.4: Encourage and support the establishment of
a horticultural park in the Encinitas area.
POLICY 11.5: Encourage the establishment and preservation
of new agricultural preserves for areas within the
coastal zone designated for agricultural land use.
POLICY 11.6: Continue to support the policy of the
Metropolitan Water District and its member agencies to
provide water to agricultural users at a lower rate than
to domestic users, when conservation measures by such
users are assured.
POLICY 11.7: Encourage the San Diego County Water
Authority and the local retail water agencies to consider
additional reductions in the agricultural water rate.
The City will look at lowering current minimum acreage
requirements for agricultural water rates.
POLICY 11.8: Preserve and promote the right to produce
unique horticultural crops and community gardens in
Encinitas.
POLICY 11.9: Recognize agriculture/horticulture, with
proper mitigation to preserve wetland habitats when
present, as one of the highest and best uses for those
areas within the planning area located in floodplains.
RM-24
POLICY 11.10: Provide an economic advantage, where
possible, to agriculture in competing with the forces of
urbanization to minimize pressures to redevelop to urban
land uses.
POLICY 11.11: Enforce regulations and ordinances with
regard to maintenance and upkeep of greenhouses and
other agricultural accessory buildings.
POLICY 11.12: Support air quality control measures to
protect against agricultural crop damage.
POLICY 11.13: Encourage agricultural/horticultural
practices which minimize adverse impacts on surrounding
areas.
POLICY 11.14: Encourage the producers of
agricultural/horticultural products to provide suitable
housing for farm laborers.
POLICY 11.15: Encourage projects for community food and
flower producing gardens.
POLICY 11.16: Encourage projects for community garden
and surplus food and flower resources marketing.
GOAL 12: The City will encourage the preservation of
"prime" agriculture lands within its sphere of
influence. (Coastal Act/30241)
POLICY 12.1: For the purpose of this plan and the LCP,
"prime" agriculture is defined as land in the sphere of
influence of the City of Encinitas Coastal Zone presently
producing or with the future potential for commercial
production of agricultural products and with a soil
classification of Class I-IV. (Coastal Act/30241)
POLICY 12.2: No "prime" agriculture lands are located
within the City of Encinitas Coastal Zone. However, the
Ecke Holdings, et. al., are within the City of Encinitas'
Coastal Zone sphere of influence, and may, therefore,
be influenced by the City's LCP and General Plan
policies. The City recognizes this land as "prime"
agriculture suitability and as such, designates it for
long term preservation as "Agriculture/Open Space
Preserve." (Coastal Act/30241)
RM-25 3/29/89
Land Use
Policy and
Resource
Management
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 13.2: The City shall plan for compatible land uses
within and adjacent to recreation areas, natural
preserves, and agricultural areas. (Coastal
Act/30240/30250)
POLICY 13.3: Encourage the use of buffer zones to
separate major thoroughfares from adjacent areas and
protect them from pollutants of noise, exhaust, and
light. (Coastal Act/30250/30251)
POLICY 13.4: Minimize visual pollution by establishing
design review standards. (Coastal Act/30251/30253(5))
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)
POLICY 13.6: Establish and preserve wildlife
corridors. (Coastal Act/30231/30240)
POLICY 13.1: The City shall plan for types and patterns
of development which minimize water pollution, air
pollution, fire hazard, soil erosion, silting, slide
damage, flooding and severe hillside cutting and
scarring. (Coastal Act/30250)
The important relationship between the policies
contained in the Land Use Element and those included in
this element are underscored in the policies listed
below. The following goal and supporting policies
emphasize the need to consider the environmental
consequences of future development in the City as well
as ensuring that environmentally sensitive areas are
protected from this development. The following policies
also serve to implement the Coastal Act.
Environmental
Impacts
from New
Development
GOAL 14: The City shall stringently control erosion and
sedimentation from land use and development to avoid
environmental degradation of lagoons and other sensitive
biological habitat, preserve public resources and avoid
the costs of dealing with repair and sedimentation
removal. (Coastal
Act/30231/30240/30250/30253)
POLICY 14.1: The best strategy to reduce erosion and
sedimentation is to reduce to the maximum extent
feasible, grading and removal of vegetation. It is the
policy of the City that, in any land use and development,
grading and vegetation removal shall be limited to the
minimum necessary. (Coastal Act/30240/30250)
POLICY 14.2: The City shall develop a comprehensive
program to control sedimentation and erosion. (Coastal
Act/30233/30240)
POLICY 14.3: The City will reduce the rate of
sedimentation of the lagoons by requiring procedures for
controlling runoff and erosion associated with upland
grading and development based on a minimum 10-year, six-
hour storm event. The City shall provide regulations
for the use of sedimentation basins and the potential
transfer of sediment as beach replenishment (if of an
acceptable material). (Coastal Act/30250/30251)
RM-26 3/29/89
POLICY 14.4: Revegetation and appropriate landscaping
of all areas graded and scraped of vegetative cover shall
be required with land use and development. Plantings,
hydroseeding, and irrigation systems used shall be
selected on the bases of minimizing erosion and
conserving water. (Coastal Act/30251)
New development in the City, as has already been pointed
out, can have significant adverse affects on adjacent
areas. Many of these impacts arise from activities
related to construction of new projects, especially when
there is a significant amount of grading and site
preparation involved. Problems associated with certain
construction practices include the build-up of sediment
in watercourses and lakes and erosion. The following
policies identify strategies the City intends to
implement to reduce the affects of erosion and
sedimentation from new development.
Energy
Conservation
POLICY 14.6: To achieve the ends of erosion control, a
comprehensive erosion control plan shall be required with final
building permit and improvement plans, subject to review and
approval prior to commencement of grading and construction.
(Coastal Act/30251)
POLICY 14.7: Minimize extensive or premature grading or
filling, and penalize illegal grading or filling.
Energy conservation is important in preserving non-
renewable fuels to ensure that these resources are available
for use by future generations. There are also a number of
benefits associated with energy conservation including improved
air quality and lower energy costs.
GOAL 15: The City will make every effort to conserve energy
in the City thus reducing our dependence on fossil fuels.
POLICY 15.1: The City will encourage the use of alternate
energy systems, including passive solar and architectural and
mechanical systems, in both commercial and residential
development. (Coastal Act/30253)
POLICY 15.2: The patterns of proposed subdivisions and the
orientation and design of structures on lots shall be designed
with the objective of maximizing the opportunities for solar
energy use and energy conservation.
RM-27
be allowable, all necessary erosion control devices, including
sedimentation basins, must be in place, and shall be monitored
and maintained throughout the grading period. (Coastal
Act/30251)
Then, if grading is determined to
floodplains, where sedimentation might occur in other
sensitive habitat areas.
POLICY 14.5: To minimize erosion and allow sedimentation
control systems to work, no grading or vegetation removal shall
be allowed to occur during the wet season, October 1
- April 15, without all systems and devices per an approved
erosion control plan and program being in place. During other
times of the year such systems shall be provided and operative
as required by a comprehensive City erosion control ordinance.
No grading shall occur during the rainy season within the
Special Study Overlay area, or in areas upland of sensitive
areas including lagoons, floodplains, riparian or wetland
habitat areas, unless by site-specific determination, the
grading would not be occurring on sensitive slopes, in
floodplain areas or upland of
Related Goals
and Policies
POLICY 15.3: Energy conserving construction standards and
requirements shall be enforced in the field inspection of
new construction.
Throughout this General Plan community resolve concerning
the protection of the City's significant cultural and
natural resources are expressed. Table l: Resource
Management Policy Matrix identifies those elements containing
policies that either directly or indirectly supports the City's
efforts at managing or preserving these resources.
RM-28 3/29/89
RM-29 3/29/89
TABLE 1
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT POLICY MATRIX
| |
| Public |
| Issue Area Land Use Housing Circulation Noise Safety Recreation|
| |
| |
|Water Quality X |
| |
|Preservation X X |
| of Trees |
| |
|Aesthetic X X X X |
| Resources |
| |
|Air Quality X |
| |
|Waste X |
| Management |
| |
|Cultural X |
| Resources |
| |
|Coastal X X X X |
| Preservation |
| |
|Biotic Resources X X |
| |
|Protection of X |
| Agriculture |
| |
|Energy X |
| Conservation |
| |
| |
RM-30 3/29/89
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
Much of the planning area is presently undeveloped and,
for the time being, is considered open space. Over time,
portions of these undeveloped areas will be developed.
Most of these areas have been designated for residential
development.
A study was conducted as part of this general plan to
identify those areas within the Planning Area subject to
development constraints. These constraints included
certain environmental factors that could directly affect
future development such as flooding problems, excessive
slopes, and soil limitations. A substantial portion of
the undeveloped land is located in those areas that
are these environmental constraints. Other open space
areas contain significant ecological resources that
require preservation.
Land Use
Policy Land use policy outlined in the Land Use Element will
be instrumental in protecting those natural and cultural
resources identified as being significant. A single
land use designation and a number of overlay zones will
be effective in either preserving environmentally
significant areas and outright or substantially reducing
potential impacts from development. These land use
categories include the following:
Ecological Resource/Open Space/Parks: This land use
designation includes all land that has been permanently
set aside for the public's use or for the preservation
of areas deemed ecologically significant. No private
development is permitted within these area, therefore,
all land within this category is within or will be
within the public domain.
an important contributor to the character of the
community and an important reason why many people have
located in the sparsely developed parts of the City.
Nevertheless, these natural areas are
areas are not presently utilized for any economically
productive use.
Other open space
activities range from scattered green houses in the
western half of the City to larger agricultural
operations in the Ecke properties.
A substantial portion of this open space is currently
being used for agriculture. These agricultural
RM-31 3/29/89
A primary purpose of this element is to designate
appropriate development for those undeveloped parcels
within the Planning Area. Virtually every privately
owned property in the City has been designated to allow
for some type of development. As a result, most of the
existing undeveloped areas will, over time, be committed
to development.
Natural
Resource
Management
There are a number of goals and policies in the General
Plan that are concerned with the maintenance,
preservation, or conservation of natural resources. This
section of the Resource Management element is
specifically concerned with those resources that can be
best managed through the implementation of land use
policies. These policies will be effective in mitigating
the impacts of development on sensitive ecological areas
within or adjacent to properties undergoing development.
potentially adverse impacts from development.
any minimize more stringent to be
environmentally significant areas, they will be
effective in indicating those areas where development
standards may
expressly used for preserving will be
commercial. While not all Special Studies Overlay
Zones
Special Study Overlay Zone: This overlay designation is
shown in Figure 1 and may be applied to any number of
land use categories including residential and
Significant natural resources within the planning area
are described in detail in the Resource Management
Technical Report. For planning purposes, three
sensitivity categories have been developed to identify
all area's sensitivity to development. This sensitivity
rating is described as follows:
Another important feature of the General Plan is that it
permits a transition of uses in those areas devoted to
agricultural production. Most of these agricultural
areas consist of green houses scattered throughout the
Planning Area as well as large scale agricultural
activities within the Ecke land holdings.
Low Sensitivity: Areas with little or no ecologically
sensitive, or significant habitats are in this
classification. Past development in the urbanized
sections of the City destroyed or significantly altered
native plant communities and animal habitats.
Moderate Sensitivity: A number of areas in the City have
been developed at densities sufficiently low so remnants
of environmentally significant areas remain. In addition,
some development is located adjacent to ecologically
significant zones, which could be adversely impacted by
any increase in density or intensity of development.
Preservation
of Scenic
Visual
Resources
A number of elements in the Encinitas General Plan are
concerned with preserving scenic and visual resources in
the Planning Area. The Recreation Element provides for
the development and maintenance of vista points along
the coast, the Land Use Element promotes urban design
that is sensitive to significant viewsheds, and the
Circulation Element identifies scenic highways in the
City.
The Land Use Element and Map includes a Scenic/Visual
Corridor Overlay Zone that identifies those areas where
significant aesthetic and visual resources are present.
RM-33 3/29/89
located on properties that are publicly owned.
are Space/Parks if they Resource/Open
Other significant areas are designated Policy Map.
Ecological
High Sensitivity: The Resource Management Technical
Report identified those portions of the Planning Area
that are judged to be ecologically significant by
biologists and naturalists. These areas correspond with
those zones in Figure 2 identified as having a high
sensitivity. Many of those areas identified as having a
"high sensitivity" are included within a Special Studies
Overlay designation on the Land Use
Development proposals within those areas with high
sensitivity ratings identified in Figure 2 will be
reviewed to determine the extent of significant
ecological resources on the property and the potential
impacts new development will have on these resources.
The location of sensitive lands as shown in Figure 2 is
generalized and not parcel-specific. Figure 2 is a
tool used as an aid in locating sensitive lands, but is
not an exact or exclusive determinant. A detailed
identification and review of the presence of sensitive
resources will be required with each development
proposal. The review may include environmental impact
assessments or EIRs to identify significant plant and/or
animal species present. After this evaluation has been
completed, appropriate modifications to the site plan,
development densities, etc., may be required to mitigate
any potential adverse impacts.
Lux Canyon
Cultural
Resource
Management
Cultural resource management and historic preservation
require the cooperation of many government agencies.
Encinitas alone, however, has the ability to preserve
and enhance many of the City's cultural resources.
Furthermore, it is the City's desire to establish
facilities and programs which will inspire
appreciation for the City's past and will encourage
participation in a wide range of educational and social
activities.
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Proposals for new development need to be evaluated to
ensure that significant views will be preserved. This
designation is also applied to those roads that have been
identified as Scenic Highways. Figure 3 indicates those
areas and roadways that have been placed within a
Scenic/Visual Corridor Overlay.
Protection of these resources during construction
activities generally involve the salvage and curation of
materials discovered at the site. Future development
within the planning area and surrounding region is
certain to result in the discovery of new sites. Other
sites will also undoubtedly be discovered through the
efforts of future archaeological field surveys.
archaeological,
significance. historical paleontological,
of site a
or
adversely affect
The existence of rich cultural resources in the planning
area present some challenges for future development in
the City. The California Environmental Quality Act
requires that a project be considered "significant" in
terms of impact if it will disrupt or
A map indicating cultural resource sensitivity is
provided in Figure 4. This figure identifies those areas
where there is a high probability of discovering
archaeological sites in the course of new development. A
sensitivity rating has been applied to all of the
planning area and is described as follows:
resource sites but which provided negative
Low sensitivity areas also include land
where development or grading has resulted in
movement or relocation of massive amounts of earth.
identifying of express purpose the with
sensitivity include those lands which have been
surveyed
cultural
results.
Areas of low cultural resource Low Sensitivity:
Moderate Sensitivity: Areas of moderate sensitivity
include those lands which have been developed or altered
by means which may not have resulted in the removal or
relocation of earth on a large scale.
E n c i n i t a s
General Plan
F i g u r e 3
RM-36
Depending on the methods by which urbanization was
accomplished, variable degrees of destruction to cultural
resources can result. For example, agricultural fields
represent areas where the surface has been disturbed
though any buried artifacts have been preserved.
• An excavation plan will be prepared according to the
requirements outlined in CEQA-Appendix K;
• If it is impossible to avoid disturbing the site through
revisions in project design, the Lead Agency will
initiate salvage efforts according to the parameters
outlined in Appendix K, Section VII of the CEQA Law
and Guidelines.
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High Sensitivity: High sensitivity areas within the
Encinitas planning area include those areas which have
not been previously surveyed or have been subject to
historic human disturbance other than agriculture. Based
on the demonstrated prehistoric settlement pattern for
coastal southern California and on the density of
recorded archaeological sites within the planning area,
those portions of the planning area which retain their
natural character and which have not been subject to
surveys specifically related to the identification of
cultural resources are considered to have a high
potential for the presence of cultural resource sites.
A substantial number of archaeological sites have been
discovered in those areas of the City that have undergone
past development. For this reason, any proposed project
that involves a significant amount of grading should have
an archaeological survey conducted prior to construction.
In addition, archaeological resources may be discovered
in the course of construction and appropriate measures
should be taken to ensure that artifacts are recorded
and salvaged.
California State Assembly Bill AB 492 and the adoption
of the Appendix K in the CEQA Law and Guidelines provide
direction with regard to the mitigation, preservation,
or salvage of significant archaeologic resources that
are affected by development (OPR, 1986). The measures
identified below are excerpts from Appendix K and will
only be applied in the event that an archaeological site
is discovered during excavation or construction phases
of any new project. If a site and/or artifacts are
discovered, the following mitigation measures will be
enacted:
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• In the event of the discovery of human remains,
procedures outlined in Section VIII of Appendix K
contained in the CEQA Law and Guidelines will apply.
Numerous sites of historical significance are
identified in the Resource Management Technical Report.
Certain sites may be incorporated into future parks,
while others may be recorded using historical markers.
A policy included in this Element indicates the City will
inventory all of the historically significant sites
and/or structures that require protection. Implementation
of this policy may involve nomination to the Federal
Register of Historic Places or the establishment of City
historic guidelines that will protect these structures
from future demolition or alteration.
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objectives of historic preservation.
use and development incentives may be
part of an overall program to achieve the included as
Based on the results of the City-wide survey, the City
may also consider an historic preservation program and
ordinance, which may include expansion of an Historic
Preservation Overlay zone designation in the City's
zoning and development code. A combination of appropriate