[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,75,86,98,110],{"_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",6560657,"mediaKeyId","3312473-0ae636e8170867d31667fd17428071da","parentId",3312473,"title","Council backs Neighborhood Voices ballot initiative push to restore local land-use control","audioSeconds",917,"startMs",11263000,"endMs",12180000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3312473-0ae636e8170867d31667fd17428071da&start=11263&end=12180","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3312473-0ae636e8170867d31667fd17428071da/thumbnail_11263000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6560657/Encinitas/San-Diego-County/California/Council-backs-Neighborhood-Voices-ballot-initiative-push-to-restore-local-land-use-control","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6560657-fd27443447612d2210145aff4ca3e2e8/orig.mp4?Expires=1776055733&Signature=mHoF7X5nBLgTwz8AayAMAYiZXMTL5Uq4YmfB3JCOHoyf0T~TDbtdTH82Az6DbPmYxDXjP~j4RU6ytqqrdsAycHQfFssnrJpvBL5bOe83PeNce7JM1bPReJUk~RaVNC9Vc5jToazAfT9fPTQNxmufwYjYxblm0Um0SsGtWmvNJhrlrfLdZwV9Yz0U0IZdod8WiHcNteedIzpgomVXPnjuH166Z3ZazyWB0C-0ovQni88nftC7cxkqPJSzigB5VDH1dSECiJPQRL72~b0l7~08bFrz6zrqwKgHgQ9J7f0wWFSLlXLTMdFYZSX8~T7eyYzzURkR1XX-nQxpk9~gs2gjJA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Encinitas","date","2025-05-15T06:52:28.383Z","article","The Encinitas City Council voted to support a broad, state-level initiative backed by a coalition called Neighborhood Voices that seeks to amend the California Constitution to restore local control over land-use decisions.

Why it matters: The initiative aims to reverse or limit recent state laws that permit developers to bypass local zoning rules, remove or reduce parking and setback controls, and allow denser housing without local approvals in some circumstances. Supporters say the initiative restores local decisionmaking; opponents say reform should be pursued through regional coordination and existing legislative channels.

What the council decided

• The council voted to adopt a resolution supporting Neighborhood Voices's effort to pursue a ballot initiative that would amend state law to give municipalities more local control over land-use and development rules. The motion passed with one no vote from Deputy Mayor Lyons, who spoke in favor of regional approaches.

What proponents told the council

• Residents and neighborhood activists testified in favor of the resolution, arguing that more than 400 state housing bills and recent changes to laws such as SB 9 and ADU-related statutes have reduced cities' ability to manage growth and protect local infrastructure and character.

• Speakers asked the council to join a statewide effort to gather signatures and, ultimately, secure voter approval to return greater authority to cities and counties on zoning and land-use decisions.

Council context and next steps

• Councilmembers who supported the resolution said the action will not itself change state law but signals the city's participation in a broader coalition seeking a constitutional fix through the ballot process. Several councilmembers also said they would simultaneously pursue regional and legislative avenues such as RHNA reform via SANDAG and coordination with the League of California Cities.

• Deputy Mayor Lyons said she favors working within existing statewide organizations and regional governance structures to pursue reform rather than a ballot initiative but did not block the endorsement.

Ending note: Council members described the endorsement as an initial step to align the city with other communities pursuing local-control remedies; staff said the motion does not commit city funds to a ballot campaign.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Encinitas Regular City Council Meeting 5/14/25","oneSentenceSummary","The Encinitas City Council voted to endorse Neighborhood Voices's campaign to place a constitutional amendment on a future state ballot to restore local land-use control. The measure aims to roll back aspects of state housing and zoning laws that, organizers say, strip power from local governments.","taxTitle","Encinitas, San Diego County, California","taxId",3828,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6560663,"Council asks staff to design stop-controlled intersection, including crosswalk, at Union and Saxony",0,10845000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3312473-0ae636e8170867d31667fd17428071da&start=10845&end=10845","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3312473-0ae636e8170867d31667fd17428071da/thumbnail_10845000.jpg","/articles/6560663/Encinitas/San-Diego-County/California/Council-asks-staff-to-design-stop-controlled-intersection-including-crosswalk-at-Union-and-Saxony","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6560663-424f3056e4360706951fab9c6b2dac68/orig.mp4?Expires=1776055733&Signature=ASgnIImvgK097sNYswi1XZw2U5BtYhEVbRZw8Z7VaKfBZvBXoDAwxWiAevWlwwR-T~JK23E2OhizsWr6vvSafILyQx2qgzoI1TE~4mKJ-P6i6yUBQZF0UMsShxcEqPYm-JXH9oDUiFgt0hZQQdz5dKkexD-XAPVxZD84AOGeMproXZwYm2eU1RwG1MMCi8Am0svJqJDP5wgJ10KtEQvHqSMFk7Q4JAF3P0oJzG2q21nvI-mGiFhFK3JLGUR0lYe-2ftet1x-3AfXiib1D-wfbZhwAbrKqa~nKU4gz~KFJhANHyPRJ2vQDDtxDBcIeKVqlQG3c6q4t~aDfE5nnNBorQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Encinitas City Council directed staff to design and install a stop-controlled intersection, plus pedestrian crosswalks as appropriate, at Union Street and Saxony Road and to return with the necessary traffic analysis and resolution.

Why it matters: The change responds to neighborhood concerns about increasing traffic and safety at the junction as development in the area proceeds. Councilmembers said stop-control and a marked crossing offer a lower-cost, reversible traffic-calming option compared with a roundabout.

What the council did and why

• Councilmember Jim O'Hara requested the installation after meeting with nearby residents who asked for stop signs rather than a roundabout.

• Staff confirmed the city will prepare a design and bring back a resolution once engineering has completed the warrant analysis and recommended crossing locations.

• The motion directed staff to include crosswalk placement as recommended by traffic engineering; the council approved the motion unanimously.

Details and next steps

• Staff will return with the engineering recommendation, the required warrant analysis and a resolution to implement the stop-control and crosswalk(s).

• City staff noted the project can be implemented within existing mobility funding and will include notification and signage to help motorists and pedestrians adjust.

Ending note: Councilmembers said the stop-control provides a reversible and immediate safety improvement while staff completes any additional engineering studies and outreach.","Council approved a request to have staff design and install stop-control at the Union Street and Saxony Road intersection, and asked traffic engineering to return with the required warrant analysis and the necessary resolution for formal adoption.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6560668,"City approves FY26 community grant recommendations; councilmembers use discretionary funds to top up projects",7991,3649000,11640000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3312473-0ae636e8170867d31667fd17428071da&start=3649&end=11640","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3312473-0ae636e8170867d31667fd17428071da/thumbnail_3649000.jpg","/articles/6560668/Encinitas/San-Diego-County/California/City-approves-FY26-community-grant-recommendations-councilmembers-use-discretionary-funds-to-top-up-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6560668-8fe43051c9e6c2b498bd09db01615e37/orig.mp4?Expires=1776055733&Signature=nqSNpWCXVSDNSFQks3OlTF59vFP0iIUMgC83CAEqBn6oSOHfe2nm3W3dyF4Fv1GpxuMCRzZ-AXv04~GYyS0LV-Q9lIrpNIjQ1It5BOptZuh~mS3JpgCnGIgqfSSfRBwHrt9uAMdVkKVPw-85m~SXjQ3Rsr0alvzFU7MPEAv1RD8KKZQk~kSrGE38nFrKU2fP018gJJNdsXhmqXgLrrGaz~MEKEVRf0oy-evY5reCACmWobUjIODauN-y6LP0FhhkKgrUf7gGsnW3i59r523O40qXRIqjZyUcSAuGV816q7Ethq32kEjh9~19EX8O2nn8sgD0ucwSBkmq53WwjmWDZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Encinitas City Council approved staff'recommended initial awards from the fiscal-year 2026 Community Grant Program and authorized councilmembers to allocate the remaining discretionary funds among qualified applicants.

Why it matters: The community grants provide operating or project support for small local nonprofits, volunteer groups and events. The FY26 program recommended allocating 80 percent of the budget initially and reserving 20 percent for council discretion; staff recommended distributing an equal initial amount to 46 qualified applicants.

Staff recommendation and council action

• Staff told the council the FY26 total budget for the Community Grant Program is $150,000, with an initial allocation of 80 percent ($120,000) and the remaining 20 percent ($30,000) held for councilmember discretionary allocation.

• The staff recommendation presented in the agenda listed 46 qualified applicants; the recommended initial allocation equaled $2,550 per qualified applicant (not to exceed project costs). The council approved the staff-recommended initial distribution and used councilmembers' discretionary pools to top off or add to projects.

• Councilmembers then used their individual discretionary allocations (the staff recommendation split the remaining balance and suggested $6,040 per councilmember) to add funds to select projects. The council voted to accept the distributions and finalize allocations; the motion carried unanimously.

Examples of funded projects (selected highlights)

• Encinitas Friends of the Arts — support for Dia de los Muertos programming and the Cardiff music salon event.

• Exposure Skate Fest — funding to support the world-renowned women's skateboarding event and related safety and logistics costs.

• Assistance League of Rancho San Dieguito — Operation School Bell clothing assistance for children.

• Village Encinitas and other seniors/aging-in-place groups — outreach and membership expansion support.

• Local school-music programs and marching band — support for expanding music education and community performances.

What council asked staff to do next

• Finalize award paperwork and vendor agreements; staff confirmed the council has final discretion on allocations.

• Document and publish the final award list and notify applicants through the city's standard grant processes.

Ending note: Councilmembers praised the range of community proposals and urged continued outreach to ensure groups with limited administrative capacity can access city funds.","Encinitas City Council approved staff'recommended initial distributions for the fiscal-year 2026 community grant program and directed discretionary allocations from council members' pooled remainder; the program funds local nonprofits and events that serve residents.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6560672,"Council approves Urban Forest advisory committee work plan, asks for annual reporting and evaluation",2025,2833000,4858000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3312473-0ae636e8170867d31667fd17428071da&start=2833&end=4858","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3312473-0ae636e8170867d31667fd17428071da/thumbnail_2833000.jpg","/articles/6560672/Encinitas/San-Diego-County/California/Council-approves-Urban-Forest-advisory-committee-work-plan-asks-for-annual-reporting-and-evaluation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6560672-eaff5e1adf24284d83606bb7084e5b43/orig.mp4?Expires=1776055733&Signature=NnFI-s2OxNwpSVZXrWPcWv-lh3ndmnPhUgNmmafv6FB4vR-lWqn0MPYhmCcfXFwRt2CWEFTI6SNtmzUUk~XZDQtHUBSyQHjd3t0z2uuQB2rE7wKPYrz~vLWsz3JT~nGSpa-dMt5zFmTUTPnBoe5elcZTVkDVpWc5nPd05gnim~IOP7mfjWJSrOXR2xHh1BvseatoVDejjuwtQgJssniDw0SfwepC3pUjMGD3ppf0-vwUC8z8zElmruzyPW~A87JVt0jPUTC2cG4zDLpRL74GsHf5SZtm5IXBwKbO0dih-~cT3~2kdrN6SW1VrGSLNleX8OT6XvxqOvGm8RsbDeefSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Encinitas City Council approved the Urban Forest Advisory Committee (UFAC) fiscal year 2025-26 work plan and added new reporting and follow-up requirements aimed at clarifying the committee’s role and outcomes.

Council members and several staff members and UFAC representatives discussed whether UFAC should remain a standalone committee or be merged with other commissions. Supporters said UFAC provides technical review, helps assess heritage tree applications, and serves as a community conduit; critics said some UFAC tasks overlap with staff responsibilities and outside consultants and that membership has been difficult to maintain.

Why it matters: The UFAC advises on urban forest management, heritage-tree reviews and mature-tree ordinance work. The committee’s recommendations affect local tree protection policy, urban canopy goals and public-works implementation, which in turn affect neighborhood character, stormwater and heat mitigation.

What the council decided

• Council voted to approve UFAC’s FY 2025-26 work plan.

• Council also directed UFAC to report back to City Council with a retrospective of prior-year achievements and to adopt annual reporting as part of the work-plan cycle.

• The council separately approved a staff report to bring back an analysis of the committee’s effectiveness and whether UFAC duties can be absorbed into other commissions or be reorganized; that follow-up will include a municipal-code review if changes are recommended.

Key points from the discussion

• UFAC chair Brad Levkowitz told the council the group has been active but faces recruitment challenges; he identified the mature-tree ordinance as a significant forthcoming workload.

• Public Works Director Sylvester Mabry and City Arborist Chris (last name recorded as Carlson/Krausteren in the transcript) said the committee provides oversight and advice on tree removals, heritage-tree nominations and urban-forest practices; they described the committee as an extra level of technical and community review that staff values.

• Deputy Mayor Lines said she sees value in keeping the committee but asked for clearer annual reporting so council can track accomplishments and measure whether the committee is producing results.

• Councilmember O'Hara voted “no” on the final motion, saying staff and contractors already perform many of UFAC's tasks and urging an efficiency review. The motion carried with one no vote.

What council asked staff and UFAC to do next

• UFAC will provide a retrospective of last year's outcomes and adopt annual reporting practices for future work plans.

• Staff will return with a report on UFAC’s effectiveness and options for reorganizing duties among commissions or creating a joint subcommittee; staff noted any change to a committee established in the municipal code may require code amendments.

Ending note: Councilmembers said they want stronger annual tracking and clearer outcomes while preserving technical review and community engagement on tree protection and urban-forest policies.","After debate about the committee's workload and staffing, the Encinitas City Council approved the Urban Forest Advisory Committee (UFAC) fiscal year 2025-26 work plan and directed the committee to report annually on outcomes and for staff to study the committee's effectiveness and whether its duties should be merged into other commissions.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6560676,"Encinitas council extends Jewish Family Services safe-parking program through year-end",5623,5296000,10919000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3312473-0ae636e8170867d31667fd17428071da&start=5296&end=10919","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3312473-0ae636e8170867d31667fd17428071da/thumbnail_5296000.jpg","/articles/6560676/Encinitas/San-Diego-County/California/Encinitas-council-extends-Jewish-Family-Services-safe-parking-program-through-year-end","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6560676-b756e03883196d75a1e48d105a4aebb6/orig.mp4?Expires=1776055733&Signature=i1wMboAq7sNZH65AHxmuA4xHvBphU5qI8J1ICfWEHt99y9VIbD8SvBHlandjYjW~-A5TZ0z1LPy7qn3QrUZSgPCV6mHYgB9X9EDTMmAeWm477OkEndJTXKME5kLEdL5am2vquZFHDgBYwG8mwg3XUe6pnm2xqgv-C6CyTfv8Ova1nvpggIav0F3l1UmZmB7Sou-z6v5uHS4B1J9nkcZPuLoUcVrWzA3fquSBpBdVAScKU4B2vI6GHfrB7tzGP9se3D3muiQXQig~c0~309QiI~nKpy0mqN27aKVYPzQipQ8tLg8ytiUWW0h6xoqKd-7CxEOKyhMql9Db4wX7bLBtww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Encinitas will keep a Jewish Family Services safe-parking program running through Dec. 31, 2025, after the City Council voted late Wednesday to direct staff to bring back a resolution extending the lease and program.

The council action follows a staff update on the Homeless Action Plan (HAP) that described outreach partnerships, a new navigation center and the city’s entry into the regional homeless-services data system. Councilmembers discussed how the safe-parking lot fits into the city’s broader, regional approach to homelessness and public safety.

Why it matters: The safe-parking program offers enrolled people living in vehicles a supervised place to park, and case management intended to connect them with services and housing. Council members stressed the program is one small piece of a larger local and regional system that also includes outreach, shelter beds and coordinated data to prioritize services.

What the council heard and decided

• City staff told the council it is developing a city-specific “by-name list” through the Regional Task Force on Homelessness’ Homeless Management Information System so providers can coordinate services and track outcomes.

• Jewish Family Service and its program director described the safe-parking program as a “pathway out of homelessness” that requires enrollment and case management. Nicole McCune, who identified herself as director of the safe-parking program, told the council the program serves people who are working toward stabilization and that funding is available through the end of 2025. She asked the council to approve the lease extension through December 2025.

• Kayla Levitt of Jewish Family Service said the program served older adults and families and described individual cases in which case management led to housing exits.

• City staff reported HAP-related actions: Encinitas participates in county outreach teams and PATH outreach (about two days per week), operates a contract-based partnership at the Buena Creek Navigation Center (BCNC) with the capacity to serve adults regionally, and has started HMIS onboarding to access more grant opportunities and create coordinated “by-name” case conferencing.

• The council voted to ask staff to prepare a formal resolution to extend the lease and continue the JFS safe-parking program through December 2025; the motion passed, and the council directed staff to return with the necessary paperwork.

Details and numbers mentioned

• Buena Creek Navigation Center (regional, in partnership with Vista): 24 rooms (48 beds total); Encinitas has exclusive use of six rooms (12 beds). Staff reported a year-to-date occupancy rate reported in 2024 as about 83 percent, an average length of stay of 49 days, 56 unduplicated residents served in 2024 and 13 permanent housing placements from BCNC that year.

• Jewish Family Services safe-parking program: since opening in February 2020 the program reported serving 224 unhoused individuals (city data presented by staff). For calendar year 2024 staff said JFS served 36 individuals with 16 positive exits to a housing solution; the program reported an average nightly occupancy and average length of stay figures as part of the update.

What council asked staff to do next

• Prepare a formal council resolution to extend the JFS safe-parking lease through Dec. 31, 2025.

• Continue working on HMIS access and the by-name list so that the city and service providers can coordinate on the most vulnerable individuals.

• Continue regional coordination with County outreach (PATH and the county office of homeless solutions) and the Sheriff’s HOPE/COPS teams to direct people toward BCNC and other placements.

Council and public reaction

Speakers in favor of extension included JFS staff and multiple residents who described the program as an important, low-barrier intervention for people who are temporarily living in vehicles. Other public comments and council remarks during the broader HAP discussion emphasized the need for stronger data, for a regional approach, for more outreach coverage and for targeted responses to people whose behavior poses safety concerns.

Ending note: The council left the broader homeless action plan discussion for a follow-up meeting but voted unanimously to extend the JFS parking program for the requested period and to have staff return with the formal resolution and additional data as the by-name/HMIS work continues.","The City Council approved a staff-requested action to extend the lease and continue the Jewish Family Services (JFS) safe-parking program through December 2025 and directed staff to return with the formal resolution. The extension drew public comment and discussion about local homelessness services, regional coordination and data needs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council backs Neighborhood Voices ballot initiative push to restore local land-use control

Council asks staff to design stop-controlled intersection, including crosswalk, at Union and Saxony

City approves FY26 community grant recommendations; councilmembers use discretionary funds to top up projects

Council approves Urban Forest advisory committee work plan, asks for annual reporting and evaluation

Encinitas council extends Jewish Family Services safe-parking program through year-end