Encinitas staff recommends approval of two‑lot subdivision and coastal permit for 661 Melba Road

City staff recommended approval June 10, 2025 of a proposed two‑lot subdivision and coastal development permit for 661 Melba Road in the old Encinitas community, saying the project complies with the R‑11 zoning standards and is exempt from environmental review under CEQA guidelines.

Charlotte Brenner, assistant planner for the City of Encinitas, told the hearing the application (listed in the transcript as MultiDash006250Dash2023) would split an existing 11,096‑square‑foot parcel into two lots: a 5,521‑square‑foot Parcel 2 and a 5,575‑square‑foot Parcel 1. The proposal would demolish the remainder of the existing single‑family residence and construct a new 3,486‑square‑foot, two‑story single‑family home on Parcel 1. The new home design includes a 1,148‑square‑foot basement with a 632‑square‑foot bedroom and an attached two‑car garage.

The staff presentation said the site is zoned R‑11 and lies within special study and coastal overlay zones. Brenner said two prior development actions to the south have been approved and cited two notice of decision documents referenced in the project record: Notice of Decision 2024Dash63 (dated June 18, 2024) and Notice of Decision 2025Dash44 (dated April 23, 2025). The parcel map associated with the earlier approval was recorded on Jan. 7, 2025. Brenner told the hearing the project is consistent with the general plan, the Local Coastal Program and R‑11 zone standards.

Brenner said the project had been determined to be exempt from environmental review under California Environmental Quality Act guidelines sections 15301(l)(1), 15303(a) and 15332, which respectively address demolition/removal of an existing residence, construction of a single‑family residence, and infill development. "No. No public comments were received," Brenner said in response to a question about additional written comments after the legal notice was mailed.

The record of public outreach includes a citizen participation meeting held at the site on Nov. 4, 2023; one member of the public attended that meeting and one written response was received expressing concern about a pine tree at the southeast corner of the project. The tree was off the subject property and, according to the staff presentation, was ultimately removed after the owner said they would consult an arborist.

Staff concluded it could make the findings necessary to approve both the tentative parcel map and the coastal development permit and recommended approval of MultiDash006250Dash2023. The transcript records no motion or formal vote at the June 10 hearing; the hearing ended with adjournment and a statement that updated notices of decision would be issued to reflect this meeting.