Encinitas hearing approves 851-sq.-ft. addition and substantial conformance determination for Rafati townhome

At a Zoning Administrative Hearing on March 11, 2025, the City of Encinitas approved a coastal development permit and a substantial conformance determination allowing an 851-square-foot addition to an attached single-family residence at 1829 Parliament Road in the Sea Bluff Village planned residential development.

Staff reported the project proposes an 851-square-foot addition (545 sq. ft. on the second floor and 306 sq. ft. on the first floor), resulting in a total unit size of 2,423 square feet. The project was described as requiring a coastal development permit because it is within the Coastal Commission's appeal jurisdiction and proposes additional floor area greater than 10% of the existing residence. Staff also said a substantial conformance determination is required because the site is part of a previously approved planned residential development originally permitted by San Diego County in 1971; the staff report noted that prior permit conditions remain in effect.

Charlotte, the staff presenter, said the applicant held a citizen participation meeting on Dec. 11, 2023; two members of the public attended and one asked about potential construction impacts on neighbors and construction waste handling. The staff report said a notice of pending action was mailed on Feb. 24, 2025, and no comments were received in response to that notice.

Charlotte said the proposed work meets applicable standards of the R-11 zone and the prior major use permit approvals cited in the staff report. The staff report recommended approval; the hearing officer said the item was satisfactory and approved it, directing staff to route the decision for signature. No applicant or members of the public spoke at the hearing.

Staff cited an exemption from environmental review under the CEQA Guidelines section 15301, which covers additions to existing structures that do not exceed thresholds for that exemption, and concluded the addition is compatible with surrounding uses and consistent with the city's general plan and local coastal program.

The approval grants administrative local permits and does not itself modify or replace the conditions of the original county-era approvals; staff indicated those conditions remain in effect.