Encinitas planning commission denies Heritage Grove nomination for seven ficus at 670 Union Street

The Encinitas Planning Commission voted 3-2 to deny a homeowner’s request to designate seven ficus trees at 670 Union Street as a Heritage Grove, saying questions about the trees’ long-term impacts and the city’s responsibilities remained unanswered.

City planner Charlotte Brenner told commissioners the nomination covered seven ficus trees on private property near the southern property line of 670 Union Street and that the Urban Forestry Advisory Committee had recommended approval because the group found the trees to be “a defining or significant outstanding feature of the neighborhood.” Brenner also noted staff had determined the nomination was exempt from CEQA under Guideline 15061(b)(3).

The nomination was submitted by the private property owner and was accompanied by the owner’s written approval, Brenner said, and the city arborist inspected the trees. Brenner described the trees as standing between 40 and 47 feet tall and said public works staff measured trunk locations to confirm the trunks are entirely on…