Encinitas Planning Commission adopts 2025–26 work plan; raises Cardiff and Leucadia circulation items
Loading...
Summary
On May 1 the commission adopted an amended 2025–26 work plan. Commissioners moved the Cardiff twin‑home lot variance/code-cleanup item and the Northwest Leucadia circulation effort into the ‘current goals’ category, added a dark‑skies/lighting item as a time‑permitting goal and removed a standalone sign‑ordinance update.
On May 1 the Encinitas Planning Commission adopted its draft work plan for 2025–26 with amendments developed during an extended discussion. Katie Ennis of the planning staff presented background and said the work plan allows the commission to identify land‑use, zoning and policy priorities and that the plan will be forwarded to city council for final approval.
Staff framed the work plan around three tiers (current goals, as‑time‑permits and long‑term goals) and reminded commissioners that Encinitas Municipal Code chapter 2.30.040 directs boards and commissions to prepare work plans and annual reports. During discussion commissioners advanced two items from the lower tiers into the “current goals” category: the Cardiff twin‑home lot variance/code-cleanup item and the Northwest Leucadia circulation/mobility work (the commission noted recent council attention to pedestrian/active‑transportation funding in the area). Commissioners also added a citywide dark‑skies/lighting review (residential exterior lighting and related ordinances) as an “as time permits” item and agreed to remove a dedicated sign‑ordinance update from the top tier because no commissioner proposed active follow‑up at this time.
After amendments were discussed, a motion to adopt the work plan as amended passed 5‑0. Chair Dalton will take the planning commission’s recommended work plan to city council; staff noted that council will have the final authority to adopt or modify the commission’s priorities and to allocate staff resources or consultant funding as needed.
Why it matters: The work plan sets the commission’s priorities for the coming year and signals issues to the city council that may require staff time or budget resources. Elevating the Cardiff lot‑variance/code‑cleanup item and Northwest Leucadia circulation to current goals signals the commission’s intent to focus more near‑term attention on code clarifications and localized circulation/mobility problems; adding a lighting/dark‑skies review responds to recurring concerns about exterior lighting and potential impacts on neighbors and wildlife.
Ending: Staff will revise the draft work plan to reflect the commission’s amendments and forward the document to the city council for review and final action.
