[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6661113,"mediaKeyId","2416955-de5b87a66aad49fa1b29abade05e4385","parentId",2416955,"title","Council introduces ordinance to create sewer reimbursement district for Liebenhain subdivision","audioSeconds",680,"startMs",2173000,"endMs",2853000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2416955-de5b87a66aad49fa1b29abade05e4385&start=2173&end=2853","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2416955-de5b87a66aad49fa1b29abade05e4385/thumbnail_2173000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6661113/Encinitas/San-Diego-County/California/Council-introduces-ordinance-to-create-sewer-reimbursement-district-for-Liebenhain-subdivision","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6661113-507e75ec562fbe3362006ca5e15a6135/orig.mp4?Expires=1771208288&Signature=nTL5Qu2HrEpsIbrhKJyDmPsAdD9N18VFy67EsUV3ZGO6DSjsCtVBl-leIBNxms5pq4M5HZvD8nzFPgFNz~gVToabOJiPblhRD5eGvbChUU51CaaiDkvz1jZb3gDc1U6lk-~jDiXsEE919ZMV7Xh893M92COFVtKEKz9B3nhs3IV~rXnL-2BpXTlCxEnmcl3efFIqbFmEMsWcOxPaBkHL5XGC4YXTxO6fYdCVUdl5ulrfIIqtz4cunwX1yUgDLqaB8XWiMT~V7QMXk60H-U39JvgxDeZlOmSjqYnW1CrB8hR0VHAt5awXgE5VgVUlTTi9wtGuGaK6vPB7083ndSihQQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Encinitas","date","2025-02-27T05:52:44.857Z","article","Encinitas city staff briefed the City Council on an ordinance to establish a sewer reimbursement district for a recent sewer main extension in the Liebenhain area. The ordinance was introduced and progressed by council action so the city can collect reimbursement fees from parcels that later connect to the new public sewer main.

John (last name not specified), an engineer with the city’s Land Development Services Department, explained that in January 2022 a developer, Randy Lang, received approval for a three-lot subdivision. Because of site constraints, the developer and four neighbors funded an extension of public sewer main to serve the parcels. After the city accepted the sewer as public infrastructure, the developer requested a reimbursement district so that future connecting parcels would pay a proportional share back to the contributors.

Staff said the city reviewed project receipts and identified 12 Equivalent Dwelling Units (EDUs) that could connect to the line. The analysis yields a net reimbursable amount of approximately $184,000, an assessment of about $37,096.34 per EDU, a simple interest rate of 6% computed from the ordinance effective date, and a 20-year term for the reimbursement obligation.

Council members asked several clarifying questions during the presentation. There was an initial discrepancy in the presentation about the length of the extension — a slide showed roughly 14,000 linear feet, which prompted a council question — staff later corrected that figure in the hearing, saying the actual installed sewer main was approximately 1,200 linear feet. Staff also explained why some nearby parcels were not included in the district (they are served by a different wastewater district and had not joined the annexation process for Cardiff Sanitation District in time).

Developer Randy Lang spoke in support of the ordinance and noted the project’s multiyear timeline and family ties to the property. At the conclusion of the presentation a council member moved approval and another seconded; the council called the question and proceeded to the next agenda item, indicating the item had advanced.

Key technical and financial points disclosed to council:

- Number of benefiting EDUs identified: 12.
- Net reimbursable amount (if all parcels connect): approximately $184,000.
- Reimbursement fee per EDU shown in ordinance: $37,096.34.
- Simple interest: 6% from the effective date of the ordinance.
- Ordinance term: 20 years.
- Municipal authority cited: Municipal Code Chapter 18-12 authorizes creation of sewer reimbursement districts.

The council advanced the ordinance introduction; staff indicated the district language would be incorporated into the municipal code and the reimbursement methodology would be applied when parcels connect to the sewer mains.

Ending — Next steps

Staff will finalize the ordinance text and related municipal-code amendments, record the district maps and fee schedule, and proceed with the City Council adoption steps for the ordinance. The city will reimburse contributing parties proportionally as new connections are made over the 20-year term.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Encinitas City Council Regular & Special Meeting Live Stream 02/26/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Encinitas staff presented and the council advanced an ordinance to create a sewer reimbursement district so developers who paid to extend sewer mains can be reimbursed when nearby parcels connect.","taxTitle","Encinitas, San Diego County, California","taxId",3828,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6661118,"Encinitas council reverses surplus finding for 634 Quail Gardens Drive, designates L7 as park using existing zoning",5179,2856000,8035000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2416955-de5b87a66aad49fa1b29abade05e4385&start=2856&end=8035","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2416955-de5b87a66aad49fa1b29abade05e4385/thumbnail_2856000.jpg","/articles/6661118/Encinitas/San-Diego-County/California/Encinitas-council-reverses-surplus-finding-for-634-Quail-Gardens-Drive-designates-L7-as-park-using-existing-zoning","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6661118-404959da61daea14b0d4737d395c11e6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771208288&Signature=Xn0QP9JkG7luhRJCEDF7Qi4XMSKjTmnWByWTNXvXGlKQzmC0Wq5Pccmd2BmHqVBOwVh2eQ7CwJ8xXgNWGxQRflqgXxVz6MEojs6E1-L5pORjh1eKU5AsXdgbRZ9GACZJcERuhXCZXtI0EVlOv4QU8koklzhLB5njqQnhrCOXdIvzYR~VVuelhpXuwFfhqKxharYLYTYJvFqWF2E8PjIbxARON719fafm7Ed7rfZ~y-OF~Kt980BU9dnE8S8MZfxW~lvpuvEaXUCAQ3~1rI1ksVyZDczyhXhIP9~Dsxdb7fUW7bgPqTgR7S0FpcWuHGGdOD7iOng40X4WZ20Ngpsl6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Encinitas City Council voted unanimously to repeal a 2023 finding that declared 634 Quail Gardens Drive (known in council materials as \"L7\") surplus and to preserve the site for park use under existing zoning rules.

The action restores the property's park status and directs staff to record deed restrictions limiting the property to park purposes, start a public design process, and explore a memorandum of understanding with a nonprofit for fundraising and stewardship. Councilmembers also asked staff to identify and report the source of $3,100,000 in park mitigation funds the city intends to apply toward the site.

The decision follows more than a year of staff work and public engagement. Melinda Dacey, the city's housing services manager, summarized the background and the legal constraints the council faced — notably that rezoning from residential to nonresidential can trigger voter approval under the city's Proposition A and could require replacing residential capacity elsewhere under state housing law. Dacey described two primary options staff had presented: (1) dedicate the site as parkland using existing zoning and record deed restrictions, or (2) pursue rezoning that would require additional steps including a local coastal program amendment, a public vote and possible replacement of housing capacity.

Supporters of keeping L7 as a park emphasized the parcel's prior acquisition with park funds and nearby housing growth. Councilmember Joe O'Hara (Councilmember Joe O'Hara) moved to repeal Resolution 2023-128, replace it with Resolution 2025-29 finding the property necessary for city use, and to use existing municipal code zoning provisions to dedicate L7 and other city-owned park properties for park purposes. O'Hara asked staff to collaborate with community leaders and a nonprofit on an MOU to support fundraising and design and to use the identified mitigation funds as an initial allocation toward park design and development.

Opponents and outside advocates urged the council to keep the site available for housing. Steven Russell, president and CEO of the San Diego Housing Federation, told the council the action would remove land identified in the city's housing inventory and warned it could put the city at odds with state housing law, citing the Housing Accountability Act and potential actions from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). Russell said, \"Removing the site from the inventory of available land for housing development without first providing a suitable replacement is a direct violation of the Housing Accountability Act.\" The council majority rejected that view and approved the motion.

Speakers from the neighborhood and a group of residents raised safety and park‑need arguments. Residents including Oliver Pratt and Jessica Pratt described fundraising efforts (Oliver described raising more than $15,000 through a GoFundMe and golf-ball sales) and emphasized that L7 was purchased with city park funds and is intended as green space for a neighborhood that will see additional housing nearby.

Council discussion touched on alternatives and constraints. Staff noted that L7 is not zoned R-30 and currently counts only for three above‑moderate units in the adopted housing inventory; councilmembers stressed that using existing zoning and deed restrictions avoids the procedural and legal hurdles associated with rezoning and a Prop A public vote, and avoids triggering a requirement to replace residential capacity elsewhere immediately. The council also discussed that fully developing housing on the site would require large subsidy estimates discussed in the staff briefing.

The motion passed unanimously. Council directed staff to: (1) record deed restrictions to preserve L7 and other identified city-owned park parcels for park uses; (2) initiate a public engagement process and an RFP for park design services; (3) work with the Parks & Recreation Department, the resident-led nonprofit group referenced by staff (a parks friends group), and community leaders on an MOU to pursue fundraising and design; and (4) return with a budget recommendation and a report identifying the source and expected inflows for the $3,100,000 mitigation funds to be applied to L7. Staff told council that the actual allocation of the mitigation funds would occur through the city budget process when council adopts the fiscal-year budget.

Councilmembers framed the vote as restoring the property's intended use. The step creates a path to design and build a neighborhood park while staff and the council continue to evaluate housing‑capacity and regional RHNA issues in parallel.

Ending — Next steps

Staff will bring back a budget recommendation and timeline for design and entitlements and a draft MOU for any public–private fundraising partner. The Parks and Recreation Department will manage design outreach with the immediate neighborhood; the council requested a follow-up report to support decisions during the upcoming budget cycle.","After months of study and public comment, the council repealed a 2023 surplus-land resolution for the 634 Quail Gardens Drive site (\"L7\"), ordered deed restrictions to preserve it for park use under current zoning, and asked staff to pursue a public–private fundraising MOU and to report back with budget details; vote was unanimous.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6661098,"Encinitas recognized by APBP San Diego chapter for bicycle and pedestrian initiatives",153,248000,401000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2416955-de5b87a66aad49fa1b29abade05e4385&start=248&end=401","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2416955-de5b87a66aad49fa1b29abade05e4385/thumbnail_248000.jpg","/articles/6661098/Encinitas/San-Diego-County/California/Encinitas-recognized-by-APBP-San-Diego-chapter-for-bicycle-and-pedestrian-initiatives","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6661098-321416d9f8f43c519cb17e03e3817164/orig.mp4?Expires=1771208288&Signature=V5QjIwy-ETA0XdBsXO31bbJh7jedTmaJ3hqTQswZ4mC5jspxp~8VvwQGsPCN5LA6I101SxYRmbz4~L-5f69tUaP2h9kNwEJ3gyPAXUOi8iiBu3kWvwajCRejEjlr9-7QUASBplfwZft-geAv4w8uGwpoJ5xlpWrJEyM469AQ8GyvRibD6QBdpVqTOTbCMmXgx6rOg1fvpbAPCc5k11nAr3qWKNZdDMyOP~FpZKDeD81L73WKBbA3NFwtOHtdcrCW9jxfcc9l33a8nEbl~DN0vuDRgYK~UbFrBgeSU0g12VDyZ5fTnYaY61Vn5ZJ~uLf5yXORqp2y-C8EB3mSNeaPkQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives of the San Diego chapter of the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals (APBP) presented the city of Encinitas with an award recognizing local work to support walking and bicycling.

Morgan Ruby, co-lead of the APBP San Diego Chapter, and Sabrina Momo explained the chapter’s mission to promote the best state of practice for pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure and professional development. The chapter cited Encinitas’ implementation of lower speed limits under AB 43, expansion of protected bicycle infrastructure, cycling classes, co-funding for crossing guards and Safe Routes to School education programs in selecting the city for agency recognition.

APBP noted that it held a technical tour in Encinitas with more than 20 participants to study existing and planned projects and outreach activities. The council accepted the presentation and representatives posed for a photo with city leaders.

Ending — Next steps

The presentation was symbolic recognition of ongoing active-transportation work; there were no formal actions attached to the award.","The San Diego chapter of the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals (APBP) presented Encinitas with its agency-of-the-year award for the chapter, citing the city's work on AB 43 speed-limit changes, expanding protected bicycle infrastructure, cycling classes, crossing-guard co-funding and Safe Routes to School programs.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6661103,"Encinitas forms RHNA review subcommittee to press SANDAG and HCD for updated housing projections",2672,9586000,12258000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2416955-de5b87a66aad49fa1b29abade05e4385&start=9586&end=12258","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2416955-de5b87a66aad49fa1b29abade05e4385/thumbnail_9586000.jpg","/articles/6661103/Encinitas/San-Diego-County/California/Encinitas-forms-RHNA-review-subcommittee-to-press-SANDAG-and-HCD-for-updated-housing-projections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6661103-8b933bde811d99a2383a928ebb32e337/orig.mp4?Expires=1771208288&Signature=khvrDgwy5snM1g7HFSx3lojC3ZKvFiGu2JMQH6dcMN0Fo3tO0NVKpWZnBvk1XseES1KvAxRCgktMSUulSNDG~UkO0D6W-DOi0micg8HeSCkvrC69ocmzgF1lSnXsRk0QHTTHuSCAc3Oy3Jv8sq3YnOCYUK80hArh7v1~wRXbrJw15W~~E0EX1PiWmDqgpOCT0QV4Qq95jecmVAyJUDA2U5Se4~rk0bYXF62YZeKlsBJ1pQd9GwWd1kiIHmqHxqBDZgQs6d-vGbCNvGLTCEUU1GYbG151B7-lJyguM~nrF5ZqEDF6z1oWwWEqIg77ltiYji0-yKSE3sKXUYLVdcqS~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Encinitas City Council agreed to create a council subcommittee to refine and return a letter asking the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) and the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to review regional population and housing projections used to set RHNA allocations.

Mayor Bruce Ehlers and a council colleague will work with staff and the city’s lobbyist to draft an Encinitas-specific letter that incorporates recent audits and regional requests for revised projections. The draft will return to the full council at a meeting scheduled for March 19. The subcommittee model was selected to allow staff to work with two council members under the Brown Act and then present a single staff-subcommittee product to the council for approval.

The staff background cited several concerns raised by cities and regional agencies, including a SANDAG letter and an audit report noting possible inaccuracies in HCD's needs-assessment procedures. The staff memo the council reviewed listed recent demographic indicators and SANDAG forecasting items — including a fifteenth regional forecast showing demographic shifts and vacancy-rate changes — as reasons to seek a reexamination. Public comment included calls to press the state for a recalculation of RHNA that reflects updated population trends.

Council authorized the mayor and a designated councilmember to serve as an RHNA Reform Subcommittee and asked staff to return with a near-final draft at the March 19 meeting. Council expects the subcommittee and staff to coordinate with regional partners, the city's lobbyist, and Cal Cities to align the letter and any legislative or administrative follow-up. The motion carried unanimously.

Ending — Next steps

Mayor and the assigned councilmember will work with staff and the city’s lobbyist to produce a draft letter for council consideration on March 19. The council asked staff to include references to SANDAG materials, the state auditor findings, and any relevant Cal Cities or regional requests to ensure the letter reflects existing regional action and audit findings.","Council created a subcommittee (Mayor Bruce Ehlers plus a councilmember) to refine and return a letter asking SANDAG and the California HCD to revisit regional housing projections and RHNA allocations; subcommittee to return to council with a proposed letter by March 19.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6661109,"Encinitas council tasks Public Health & Safety Commission to prioritize wildfire readiness before budget adoption",2249,7329000,9578000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2416955-de5b87a66aad49fa1b29abade05e4385&start=7329&end=9578","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2416955-de5b87a66aad49fa1b29abade05e4385/thumbnail_7329000.jpg","/articles/6661109/Encinitas/San-Diego-County/California/Encinitas-council-tasks-Public-Health-Safety-Commission-to-prioritize-wildfire-readiness-before-budget-adoption","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6661109-22789ed9b2f67f33d4787a18cf3e049a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771208288&Signature=ln34QUT-xvJyXLPDYUwCcfCd5ZVTJ7lOvViYvmE3W~ExFnUOgExqD62wAGYtlGmJZ4eNBH2Jqg0Utvc6SNuLmZp8l1xxENRqddr3JVLEgqsrhpQSkg2tIrGIp4Go7VAFlPtY-dYZchQfmYWXL25GoojyI5zGNa1ZAflmLkN4bBEqvRAmwAC36vxxFhweZLWtPvuekc8tK2YkR7qAT16bj46pw9h46g3DqxMlSyH7GJw8buSqXE~TzADF7krt8KO7FlUWkoN0Dnu~m6NNK7dCeKhFq-9r7OCgUMgliZFcCctG70t0gR0c-9sSEvbWzTYvUELNI2TS1vBmLY-nNUziaw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Encinitas City Council unanimously directed the city's Public Health and Safety Commission to prioritize an expedited review of wildfire risk and preparedness measures, emphasizing major conflagrations likely to stress evacuation routes, water supplies and public-safety response.

Mayor Bruce Ehlers introduced the council-initiated item and asked the commission to review issues related to major wildfires, rank problems by likelihood and severity, and return findings in time to inform the city’s budget process. He said the council would like a rapid but practical assessment \"as soon as possible, but no later than early May,\" and stated a preference for results by early April if feasible so that budget decisions can reflect any needed capital investments.

Council members noted the Pacific Palisades and other recent large wildfires as examples of the compound risks the city faces with narrow evacuation routes and concentrated new housing. Several public speakers urged rapid action and a reexamination of local fire-safety standards. Natalie Satune (resident) said local inspection standards may not reflect on-the-ground risk and suggested hiring outside expertise; Ron Medak (Olivenhain resident, member of the Olivenhain Fire Safe Council) described long-standing wildfire risk in riparian corridors and neighborhood efforts to remove fuel; Jessica Pratt recounted a recent vehicle-engine fire near L7 and emphasized evacuation concerns for neighborhoods with many new units.

Council gave staff these directions:

- Assign the Public Health and Safety Commission to evaluate major wildfire risks and mitigation priorities, using a two-axis ranking (likelihood vs. severity).
- Include the Fire Department (Encinitas Fire), the Sheriff's Department in planning and outreach, and the local Fire Safe Councils in the commission's process. Councilmembers explicitly requested Sheriff engagement to address evacuation and traffic-control issues.
- Ask the commission to meet more frequently than its prior quarterly schedule for this task (several councilmembers suggested monthly meetings for the duration of the assignment).
- Request public meetings and outreach in affected neighborhoods and at community venues, not only at City Hall.
- Provide a deliverable to the council no later than early May, and ideally earlier so budget staff have time to incorporate recommendations.

James Morton, chair of the Public Health and Safety Commission, told council the commission was ready to accept specific direction and would aim to meet more frequently to accomplish the task. Council and staff also discussed transitioning oversight of the commission's work to the Fire Department to align expertise and implementation. Staff said they will coordinate with the Olivenhain Fire Safe Council and other local groups already engaged on fuel-reduction projects.

The motion passed unanimously. Councilmembers described the directive as an attempt to use the commission’s capacity for a defined, high‑priority assignment that would produce actionable recommendations for the upcoming budget cycle.

Ending — Next steps

The commission and Fire Department staff will begin expedited analysis, outreach to Fire Safe Councils and the Sheriff’s Office, and will return recommendations and ranked mitigation priorities to the council in time to inform the budget process.","The council directed the Public Health and Safety Commission to assess wildfire risk and preparedness — emphasizing major conflagrations — and return recommendations quickly (requested by early May, ideally April) to inform the fiscal-year budget; the motion passed unanimously.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council introduces ordinance to create sewer reimbursement district for Liebenhain subdivision

Encinitas council reverses surplus finding for 634 Quail Gardens Drive, designates L7 as park using existing zoning

Encinitas recognized by APBP San Diego chapter for bicycle and pedestrian initiatives

Encinitas forms RHNA review subcommittee to press SANDAG and HCD for updated housing projections

Encinitas council tasks Public Health & Safety Commission to prioritize wildfire readiness before budget adoption