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Encinitas Environmental Commission approves work plan; hears updates on native-plant policy, CAP and mobility element
Summary
The commission approved its updated work plan (including adding a commissioner to the SCOOP subcommittee), formally approved minutes, and received staff updates on the native plant policy, mobility element EIR, climate action plan analysis and other projects.
The Encinitas Environmental Commission voted to approve its updated work plan and unanimously approved the October meeting minutes during the December meeting.
Commission Chair Cramer moved the work-plan approval after amendments that included adding Commissioner JP to the Sand Compatibility and Opportunistic Use Program (SCOOP) subcommittee; the motion was seconded and passed with all members present voting in favor. The commission also approved the October minutes by unanimous voice vote.
Staff provided updates on several active projects. On the native plant policy, staff reported that the City’s contract with SWCA Environmental Consultants is in place and community outreach dates are being finalized; the staff advised residents to watch the city website or sign up for email updates for outreach notices.
On the mobility element, staff said the draft environmental impact report (EIR) public review opened Sept. 6 and closed Oct. 21 with no public comments received; staff presented the draft to the Mobility and Traffic and Safety Commission and to the Planning Commission and are incorporating suggested revisions. Staff said the final mobility element is tentatively scheduled for city council review on Feb. 26.
City staff also reported that the City Council on Oct. 16 approved an increase in the budget allocation for the Climate Action Plan (CAP) update to allow additional analysis. Staff said consultants re-ran analyses using updated data for active-transportation projects and evaluated additional measures, including building-decarbonization options; preliminary results indicate the revised measures may allow the city to reach its 2030 and 2045 targets. Staff anticipates a draft CAP for public review in January or February 2025.
Commissioners received brief updates on other items in the work plan: the Food Service Plastics Ordinance outreach (a draft online survey was refined with input from the Chamber and 101 liaisons and is expected to be distributed after the holidays), the environmentally preferable purchasing and contracting policy (subcommittee to consolidate suggested amendments and meet with staff), and the SCOOP program (staff anticipates a subcommittee meeting in early 2025 and potential public outreach). Commissioners also discussed mature tree ordinance timing and local mural-tour coordination being pursued by tourism and arts groups.
The meeting closed with a set of administrative reminders: environmental-awards outreach should begin soon, commissioners were alerted that the city is closed between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day, and staff noted the My Encinitas app as a reporting tool for collected litter. No additional formal council referrals or ordinance adoptions occurred at the meeting.
