Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning commission approves Verdi undercrossing design and adopts mitigated negative declaration
Summary
Commission approved design review, coastal development permit and adoption of a mitigated negative declaration for a proposed pedestrian undercrossing in the NCTD right‑of‑way near Verdi Avenue; staff estimated construction costs at about $17–18 million and noted no construction funding is yet identified.
The Encinitas Planning Commission voted 4‑0 to approve the design review permit and coastal development permit for the proposed Verdi Undercrossing project in Cardiff-by-the‑Sea and adopted the project's draft mitigated negative declaration, subject to the mitigation monitoring and reporting program contained in the staff materials.
Fran Carr, Associate Planner, presented the project (case Multi0039852020), which would construct a grade‑separated pedestrian undercrossing in the North County Transit District (NCTD) right‑of‑way between San Elijo Avenue and South Coast Highway 101, south of Verdi Avenue and north of List Avenue. The project would pass under the double tracks of the coastal rail line and tie into the existing Coastal Rail Trail. Key features include ramps and pathways meeting ADA standards, landscaping with 100% native plant selections, retaining walls up to 10 feet tall with architectural treatment to reduce visual impacts, lighting, furnishings, and pedestrian beacons at Verdi and List. The scope includes temporary and permanent work within NCTD right‑of‑way and intermittent night/weekend construction windows to work near the rail lines.
The environmental initial study identified potentially significant effects for cultural resources, tribal resources and geology/soils; the draft mitigated negative declaration includes mitigation measures and a mitigation monitoring and reporting program addressing tribal monitors, archaeological/paleontological monitoring during grading, and related measures. The city received comments from the North County Transit District and the California Public Utilities Commission during the public review period; the final MND and responses were included in the project packet.
Staff noted that the project has been in conceptual design since 2015, design funding was obtained in 2018, and the current design work ran through 2025. Construction funding has not been secured; staff’s order‑of‑magnitude construction estimate was roughly $17–18 million. The city will pursue grant funding and engineering and construction will follow if funds are obtained.
Commissioners asked about pedestrian connections and whether painted crosswalks or curb ramps on the east side of San Elijo Avenue (at Verde and List) should be added to provide safe north–south access to the undercrossing entry points. Staff noted existing constraints on the east side (limited shoulder and no existing ramps) and agreed to return with a study of whether additional crosswalks or ramps are warranted to better funnel pedestrians to the new beacons on San Elijo and the signalized crossing on South Coast Highway 101. Commissioner comments supported the design, noted ADA compliance, and emphasized the need to preserve pedestrian access on the Coastal Rail Trail during construction.
A member of the public, David Solomon, spoke in support, praising the project and staff work. With the motion to approve the design review, coastal development permit and adoption of the mitigated negative declaration, the commission also included a request to study potential crosswalk/ramp improvements on List and Verde to improve safe access to the new facilities. The motion passed 4‑0.
