Encinitas begins update of Resource Management Element to address equitable access, climate resilience, rewilding and habitat connectivity

City planners and their consultants outlined an update to the Resource Management Element of the City of Encinitas' general plan and asked residents for feedback on four state‑required topics: equitable access to open space, climate resilience, rewilding and habitat (wildlife) connectivity.

Eric DeCock, project manager with Ascent, told attendees the Resource Management Element "covers both open space and conservation," and guides how the city governs designated open spaces and conserves natural resources within and adjacent to city limits. He said the state has passed new laws that require local plans to address the four topics and that the city's update must respond to those requirements "by next year."

The presenters said the project team has completed data collection and staff interviews and is preparing a draft report that will summarize existing conditions and identify issues and opportunities. "We're in the process of preparing a draft report that kind of, like I said, does look at those existing conditions, those issues, and opportunities," DeCock said. The team plans further workshops to develop concrete policy or program recommendations, then a formal review and adoption process with the Planning Commission and City Council toward the end of the calendar year.

Consultant staff described the four focal topics in detail. "What we mean by equitable access to open space is really about improving opportunities for physical activity, enhancing access to public lands and facilities, removing barriers and providing improved access to underserved communities," said Claire, project staff with Ascent. The consultants said they will examine three kinds of access barriers in Encinitas: physical (for example, major roadways that bisect neighborhoods), economic (parking fees at some regional parks and reefs) and social (groups who face disproportionate barriers such as young people, older adults, people with disabilities and low‑income residents).

On climate resilience, presenters said the team will assess local vulnerability to hazards such as heat, drought, wildfire, flooding and sea‑level rise and consider nature‑based measures like rain gardens, bioswales and beach nourishment to improve resilience. Rewilding was described as managing and restoring ecological function in urban and near‑urban landscapes, with local examples cited such as habitat stewardship work along Cottonwood Creek and other reserves.

The team described habitat connectivity as the study of how species move between habitats, noting local corridors such as creek corridors that link coastal lagoons to inland open space. The consultants indicated that the state's new requirements also instruct cities to consider habitat connectivity at a regional scale.

Presenters identified some existing local work the draft report will inventory, including the city's climate action planning, a draft native plant ordinance, a habitat stewardship program run in partnership with local conservation groups, and beach and lagoon management efforts. At a community outreach table the team reported hearing from many residents that they use open spaces frequently and value local biodiversity. Popular local sites mentioned during outreach included Manchester Preserve, San Elijo (San Elijo) Lagoon, Cottonwood Creek Park, Encinitas Community Park and Cardiff Reef.

No formal motions or votes were taken during the presentation. The team said next steps include issuing the draft report, conducting additional outreach and workshops in early to mid summer to develop draft policy concepts, and later returning to Planning Commission and City Council for formal review and adoption.

The presentation repeatedly referred to recent state legislation that prompted the update: presenters identified Senate Bill 1425 and Assembly Bill 1889 (the "Room to Roam" Act) as the statutes whose new requirements local governments must address. The consultants emphasized the update could range from a light policy refresh to specific new policies or implementation programs, depending on findings and public feedback.

Community input gathered so far, the presenters said, included calls for improved restroom access, better trail connections, picnic spaces insulated from busy roads, and programs to make recreation opportunities more inclusive. The team encouraged workshop attendees to submit additional input as the project moves from analysis to drafting potential amendments and implementation actions.

The workshop presentation and draft report are part of a multi‑phase planning process the team described: project kickoff earlier in the year; data collection and existing‑conditions analysis; drafting of concepts in early to mid summer; refinement with additional outreach and a public review period; and a final review and adoption sequence with Planning Commission and City Council later in the year.