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MINUTES OF THE ENCINITAS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
MARCH 26, 2025, 6:00 P.M., 505 SOUTH VULCAN AVENUE
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Ehlers called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Bruce Ehlers, Council Members Jim O’Hara, Marco San Antonio, and Luke Shaffer
Absent: Deputy Mayor Joy Lyndes
Also present: City Manager Campbell, City Attorney Preziosi, Director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Knopp, Director of Engineering Bankston, Interim Director of Development Services Colamussi, Deputy City Clerk Weichers and Management Analyst Rapp
There being a quorum present, the meeting was in order.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
4A. State of the City Presentation
Mayor Ehlers presented the State of the City.
4B. Presentation of Proclamation Declaring April 5, 2025, Arbor Day in the City of Encinitas.
Mayor Ehlers presented the proclamation to Dave Knopp, Director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts declaring April 5, 2025, Arbor Day in the City of Encinitas.
5. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS / POSSIBLE DIRECTION TO STAFF
Kristine Schindler spoke regarding safe route to school package starter kits for elementary school students and various topics.
Natalie Settoon spoke regarding the quality of life and homelessness.
Philip Tinstman spoke regarding the Belgin Waffle Ride Cycling Event.
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Ron Rodriguez spoke regarding the 100th birthday Celebration for Captain Royce Williams on April 6, 2025, 1:00 p.m. at the American Legion Post, 416 at 210 West F Street.
Dave Dean spoke regarding the Encinitas Rock Garden and an event on Monday, March 31, 2025, at12:00 p.m., for a ribbon cutting event for a small library.
Treena Priest spoke regarding a ban on specific vaping devices.
Chris Ryan spoke regarding roundabouts.
June Honsberger spoke regarding the intersection of Leucadia Blvd and Hygeia Avenue.
Aaron Hebshi spoke regarding safe routes to school, bike lanes, and the intersection of Leucadia Blvd and Hygeia Avenue.
Madison Rapp spoke regarding advancing smokefree multi-unit housing policies.
Bruce Endres spoke regarding speeding on El Camino Real and e-bike safety.
Scott Campbell regarding City Municipal Codes.
Adriana Santo Tomas regarding traffic safety and the intersection of Leucadia Blvd and Hygeia Avenue.
Jim Sprouse and Ryan Kresan spoke regarding wildfire safety for homes.
Eleana Thompson spoke regarding homelessness in the city.
6. REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION
There was no closed session.
7. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
Deputy City Clerk Weichers stated there were no changes to the posted agenda however Item 10C has been removed from the agenda. The item only appears on this agenda because it was legally noticed.
8. CONSENT CALENDAR
Deputy City Clerk Weichers announced a member of the public and Council Member San Antonio pulled Item 8D and Council Member O’Hara announced he was pulling Item 8F.
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COUNCIL ACTION:
Ehlers moved, O’Hara seconded to close and adopt the Consent Calendar with the exception of 8D and 8F. Motion Carried. Ayes: Ehlers, O’Hara, San Antonio, and Shaffer. Nays: None. Absent: Lyndes. Abstain: None.
8A. Approval to waive the full reading of the text of all ordinances and resolutions introduced/adopted at this meeting. Ordinances and resolutions shall be introduced/adopted by title only. Contact Person: City Clerk Hollywood
Recommended Action: Approve.
8B. Approval of the Minutes of the March 12, 2025, Special Joint City Council and Mobility and Traffic Safety Commission Meeting; and March 12, 2025, Regular Meeting. Contact Person: City Clerk Hollywood Recommended Action: Approve the Minutes.
8C. Approval of Warrants List (Register of Demands). Contact Person: Finance Manager Dinh
Recommended Action: Staff recommends that the City Council review and approve the warrants.
8E. Award Construction Contract to M.A. Stevens Construction for the City Hall Parking Lot Repair Project (CF25B). Contact Person: Senior Engineer Stryker
Environmental Considerations: The project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(c), which categorically exempts minor alterations to existing public streets, sidewalks, gutters, and similar facilities, including the replacement or reconstruction of existing structures and facilities. This exemption includes improvements and alterations that do not create additional automobile lanes.
Recommended Action: 1) Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute a contract in substantial form and any necessary amendments and time extensions, in consultation with the City Attorney, with M.A. Stevens Construction, Inc. in the amount of $167,762 plus 15 percent contingency of $25,164, for a total construction contract not-to exceed amount of $192,926 for construction of the City Hall Parking Lot Repair Project (CF25B); and 2) Adopt City Council Resolution No. 2025-31, titled “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Encinitas, California, Amending the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget” to appropriate $242,926 to the City Hall Parking Lot Repair Project (CF25B).
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9. ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR
8D. Approve Plans and Authorize Advertisement of the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Cycle 11 Citywide Pedestrian Crossing Upgrades Project (CS23G). Contact Person: Engineer II Barr Environmental Considerations: The proposed project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15301(c) of the CEQA Guidelines. This section exempts projects characterized as minor alterations to public facilities, involving negligible or no expansion of the existing use. Maintenance, striping, and repair are proposed on an existing public street and does not create additional automobile lanes. The proposed project meets the criteria for this exemption.
Recommended Action: 1) Approve the plans for the HSIP 11 Citywide Pedestrian Crossing Upgrades Project (CS23G); 2) Adopt Resolution No. 2025-24, titled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Encinitas, California, Approving the Design and Plans for HSIP 11 Citywide Pedestrian Crossing Upgrades Project (CS23G), Pursuant to Government Code Section 830.6”; and 3) Authorize advertisement of the HSIP 11 Citywide Pedestrian Crossing Upgrades Project (CS23G).
Farhad Mahmoudi spoke on this item.
City Traffic Engineer Bandegan and Director of Engineering Bankston responded to questions from the City Council.
COUNCIL ACTION:
Ehlers moved, O’Hara seconded to: 1) Approve the plans for the HSIP 11 Citywide Pedestrian Crossing Upgrades Project (CS23G); 2) Adopt Resolution No. 2025-24, titled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Encinitas, California, Approving the Design and Plans for HSIP 11 Citywide Pedestrian Crossing Upgrades Project (CS23G), Pursuant to Government Code Section 830.6”; 3) Authorize advertisement of the HSIP 11 Citywide Pedestrian Crossing Upgrades Project (CS23G); and 4) Direct staff to include the daylighting curb painting and the additional two crosswalk legs at Park Dale Lane and Willowspring Drive. Motion Carried. Ayes: Ehlers, O’Hara, San Antonio, and Shaffer.
Nays: None. Absent: Lyndes. Abstain: None.
8F. Amendment No. 1 to Agreement for Professional Consultant Services between the City of Encinitas (“City”) and Ardurra (IEC) to add $104,320 for additional support with as-needed engineering and construction inspection services for private land development projects. Contact Person: Principal Engineer Cabrera
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because they are not a “project” under Section 15378(b)(5) of CEQA Guidelines. The actions involve organizational or administrative activities of government that will not result in the direct or indirect physical change in the environment.
Recommended Action: 1) Authorize the City Manager or her designee, in consultation with the City Attorney, to execute Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement with Ardurra in substantial form, to add $104,320 of capacity to the professional consultant agreement, for a new not-to-exceed amount of $1,093,720 for FY 2024-25; and 2) Adopt City Council Resolution No. 2025- 23, titled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Encinitas, California, Amending the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget” to appropriate $104,320 to the Land Development Division Professional Services Budget.
Principal Engineer Cabrera and Director of Engineering Bankston responded to questions from the City Council.
COUNCIL ACTION:
Shaffer moved, San Antonio seconded to: 1) Authorize the City Manager or her designee, in consultation with the City Attorney, to execute Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement with Ardurra in substantial form, to add $104,320 of capacity to the professional consultant agreement, for a new not-to-exceed amount of $1,093,720 for FY 2024 25; and 2) Adopt City Council Resolution No. 2025-23, titled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Encinitas, California, Amending the Fiscal Year 2024 25 Budget” to appropriate $104,320 to the Land Development Division Professional Services Budget. Motion Carried. Ayes: Ehlers, O’Hara, San Antonio, and Shaffer. Nays: None. Absent: Lyndes. Abstain: None.
10. ACTION ITEMS To speak on action items, please submit a “PINK” speaker slip to the City Clerk. Each speaker is allowed three (3) minutes to address the City Council. A maximum of two time donations per speaker is allowed (no more than 9 minutes total); the person donating time must be present.
10A. Public hearing to consider a timely-filed appeal (Case No. APPEAL- 007854-2025) of the Development Services Department Director’s approval of an agricultural permit to establish a community garden, allow small animal keeping of 26 to 100 animals, small-scale agricultural production, and a temporary food stand selling associated agricultural products for the property located at 3563 and 3559 Fortuna Ranch Road (APN 264-101-36).
Contact Person: Associate Planner Dichoso
Environmental Considerations: The project has been determined to be categorically exempt pursuant to the following California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Sections.
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• Section 15301 exempts the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, licensing of private structures, and mechanical equipment, involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing at the time of the lead agency’s determination.
The subject property is developed with a single-family residence, an accessory dwelling unit (ADU), and associated site improvements. The proposed community garden, animal keeping, small-scale agricultural production, and food stand are accessory to the existing primary single- family residence. The primary single-family residence is maintained onsite, and the project involves no expansion of the existing use beyond that existing at the time of the lead agency’s environmental determination. • Section 15303 exempts construction and location of limited numbers of new, small facilities or structures; installation of small new equipment and facilities in small structures; and the conversion of existing small structures from one use to another where only minor modifications are made in the exterior of the structure. The project meets the criteria of this exemption.
Small accessory structures are used onsite to support the primary single- family residence and/or operation of the proposed community garden, small animal keeping, small-scale agricultural production, and temporary food stand. The construction and location of these small structures will not have any significant impacts on the environment.
• Section 15304 exempts minor private alterations in the condition of land and/or vegetation which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry or agricultural purposes.
The project includes minor alterations to the land of an existing private property that is currently developed with a single-family residence, an ADU, and associated site improvements. The agricultural permit scope involves the operation of a community garden, small animal keeping, small-scale agricultural production, and temporary food stand (not to exceed 120 square feet), as accessory uses to the primary single-family use. No healthy, mature scenic trees are proposed for removal as part of the project scope.
The project meets the criteria of this exemption.
None of the exceptions in Section 15300.2 of the CEQA Guidelines exists and no historical resources will be impacted by the proposed use.
Recommended Action: Deny the appeal and adopt draft City Council Resolution No. 2025-30 titled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Encinitas, California Denying the Appeal and Affirming the Development Services Department Director’s Decision Approving an Agricultural Permit Authorizing a Community Garden, Allow Small Animal Keeping of 26 to 100 Animals, Small-Scale Agricultural Production, and a Temporary Food Stand Docusign Envelope ID: 9F72073E-B8C4-40E2-AEAA-B087AD7F6A7D
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Selling Associated Agricultural Products Located at 3563 and 3559 Fortuna Ranch Road (CASE NO. APPEAL-007854-2025; APN 264-101-36)” affirming Development Services Department Director’s Decision No. 2025- 07 approving the agricultural permit (Case No. AG-006986-2024) with conditions
Associate Planner Dichoso and Interim Director of Development Services Colamussi presented the staff report.
COUNCIL DISCLOSURES OF ANY INFORMATION RECEIVED THAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE AGENDA PACKET:
Council Member San Antonio stated he visited Sugar Sweet Farms.
Council Member Shaffer stated he toured Sugar Sweet Farms.
Council Member O’Hara stated he had visited Sugar Sweet Farms with the owner and toured the surrounding areas.
Mayor Ehlers stated he visited Sugar Sweet Farms, knew the previous owners, has attended Olivenhain Town Council Board Meetings hosted on the property, and spoke with prior owners of the then named News 8 Farm.
Associate Planner Dichoso and Interim Director of Development Services Colamussi responded to preliminary questions from the City Council.
Mayor Ehlers opened the public hearing at 8:05 p.m.
Gary and Cindy Filips, appellants, and attorney David Demergian presented the appeal.
Elizabeth Sugarman, applicant for Sugarman Family Trust, presented the Sugarman Farm Agricultural Permit.
Mayor Ehlers called the meeting into recess at 8:26 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 8:38 p.m.
SPEAKERS:
Corrie Blough, Kristin Gaspar, Elizabeth Griswold, Amanda Rogers, Charlie Clark, John Griswold, Heidi Griswold, David Anderson, Jody Burke, Janet Hoyman, Avery Corrceia, Kadence Banks, Jodie Fisher, Grace Caponetto, Cathy Burns, Daniel Powell, Matt Adams, Bob Prendergast, Maria Ghaibi, Rebecca Woods, Wyatt Woods, Alexa Wood, Amanda Rogers, and Bill Ziggler
REGISTERED SUPPORT BUT CHOSE NOT TO SPEAK:
Jennifer Bishop, Valerie Nemeth, Emily Deroster, Hannah Mizell, Trigg Brekke, Rachel Challis, Christy Fritts, Agnes Barrelet, Bjorn Kachsen, Diane Docusign Envelope ID: 9F72073E-B8C4-40E2-AEAA-B087AD7F6A7D
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McQuarrie, Elena Burgeno-Berman, Domenica Berman, Kyle Gelhart, Brian Banks, Kathleen Boyle, Allison Banks, Valerie Thorpe, Rich Hines, Chistine Homes, Abigail Banks, Kelly Caponetta, Bob Griswald, Sharon Griswold, Matthew Soares, Wendy Correia, Sarah Resnick, Sara MacGregor, Scott MacGregor, Ben Leland, Ayla Leland, Jordyn Hicks, Jamie Leland, Richard Bumann, Irina Shea, John Kennon, and Brooke Carrol
Elizabeth Sugarman, applicant, gave the rebuttal.
Gary Filips, appellant, gave the rebuttal.
Mayor Ehlers closed the public hearing at 9:33 p.m.
Associate Planner Dichoso, Interim Director of Development Services Colamussi, Fire Marshal Villagomez, and Principal Engineer Cabrera responded to questions from the City Council.
COUNCIL ACTION:
Shaffer moved, O’Hara seconded to continue the meeting past 10:00 p.m.
Motion carried. Ayes: Ehlers, O’Hara, San Antonio, and Shaffer. Nays: None.
Absent: Lyndes. Abstain: None.
Mayor Ehlers permitted an additional allotment of two minutes for the applicant and appellant to speak.
Gary Filips, appellant, spoke regarding the appeal.
Elizabeth Sugarman and Sam Sugarman, applicant, spoke regarding the appeal.
COUNCIL ACTION:
Shaffer moved, Ehlers seconded to deny the appeal and adopt City Council Resolution No. 2025-30 titled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Encinitas, California Denying the Appeal and Affirming the Development Services Department Director’s Decision Approving an Agricultural Permit Authorizing a Community Garden, Allow Small Animal Keeping of 26 to 100 Animals, Small-Scale Agricultural Production, and a Temporary Food Stand Selling Associated Agricultural Products Located at 3563 and 3559 Fortuna Ranch Road (CASE NO. APPEAL-007854-2025; APN 264-101-36)” affirming Development Services Department Director’s Decision No. 2025-07 approving the agricultural permit (Case No. AG-007854-2024) AMENDED to include the following additional conditions of approval:
• Include the recommended condition of approval for compliance with County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health and Quality regulations regarding community gardens and food safety regulations
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• Modify Condition SCA7 to limit the property to a maximum of five “large animals” defined as animals 500 pounds or greater • Modify Condition SC9 to replace the term “regularly,” with “weekly” as it pertains to refuse/disposal pickup
• Approve waiver of traffic mitigation fees upon
issuance/finalization of the ADA requirements of the building permit
• Maintain all required County Food Permits to sell
• Allow up to six code compliance checks by the City of Encinitas during the first year of the agricultural permit
• No more than 40 total guests under the Educational and events as accessory uses to the Urban Agricultural Permit
• Submit and obtain approval for a Home Emergency
Preparedness Plan prior to permit issuance, in accordance with the requirements of the Encinitas Fire Department
• Commercial events are prohibited
Motion carried. Ayes: Ehlers, O’Hara, San Antonio, and Shaffer.
Nays: None. Absent: Lyndes. Abstain: None.
10B. City Council direction to authorize staff to initiate a General Plan Amendment and Local Coastal Program Amendment to remove the requirement to prepare a Specific Plan in the Land Use Element for eight Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) properties including the associated Land Use Policy Maps and text revisions and an amendment to the Downtown Encinitas Specific Plan. Contact Person: Associate Planner IV Cvetko Environmental Considerations: The action being considered by the City Council is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it is not a “project” under Section 15378(b)(5) of CEQA Guidelines.
The action involves an organizational or administrative activity of government that will not result in the direct or indirect physical change in the environment.
Recommended Action: Adopt Resolution No. 2025-22, titled “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Encinitas, California, Authorizing Staff to Initiate Amendments to the General Plan Land Use Element and the Local Coastal Program to Remove the Requirement to Prepare a Specific Plan for Eight Self-Realization Fellowship Properties, Including Amending the Land Use Policy Map and Associated Land Use Policy Maps for the Communities of Cardiff-By-The-Sea (Figure 2) and Old Encinitas (Figure 5), and an Amendment to the Downtown Encinitas Specific Plan to Remove the Specific Plan Reference, for Properties Located at 138 West K Street/1153 Second Street (APN: 258-316-18), 215 West K Street/1140 Third Street (APN: 260-022-01), 1136/1144/1160 Second Street (APN: 258- 294-17), 1276 South Coast Highway 101 (APN: 260-021-32), 1124 Cornish Drive (APN: 258-323-09), 1170 Cornish Drive (APN: 258-324-07), 1280 Docusign Envelope ID: 9F72073E-B8C4-40E2-AEAA-B087AD7F6A7D
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Cornish Drive (APN: 260-010-06), AND 1278 Summit Avenue (APN: 260- 053-04) (CASE NO. PLCY-007891-2025 GPA/SPA/LCPA).”
Associate Planner IV Cvetko, Interim Director of Development Services Colamussi, and Planning Manager Anders presented the staff report and responded to questions from the City Council.
Arie Spiegler spoke regarding this item and responded to questions from the City Council.
COUNCIL ACTION:
Ehlers moved, San Antonio seconded to adopt Resolution No. 2025- 22, titled “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Encinitas, California, Authorizing Staff to Initiate Amendments to the General Plan Land Use Element and the Local Coastal Program to Remove the Requirement to Prepare a Specific Plan for Eight Self-Realization Fellowship Properties, Including Amending the Land Use Policy Map and Associated Land Use Policy Maps for the Communities of Cardiff- By-The-Sea (Figure 2) and Old Encinitas (Figure 5), and an Amendment to the Downtown Encinitas Specific Plan to Remove the Specific Plan Reference, for Properties Located at 138 West K Street/1153 Second Street (APN: 258-316-18), 215 West K Street/1140 Third Street (APN: 260-022-01), 1136/1144/1160 Second Street (APN:
258-294-17), 1276 South Coast Highway 101 (APN: 260-021-32), 1124 Cornish Drive (APN: 258-323-09), 1170 Cornish Drive (APN: 258-324- 07), 1280 Cornish Drive (APN: 260-010-06), AND 1278 Summit Avenue (APN: 260-053-04) (CASE NO. PLCY-007891-2025 GPA/SPA/LCPA).”.
Motion carried. Ayes: Ehlers, O’Hara, San Antonio, and Shaffer. Nays:
None. Absent: Lyndes. Abstain: None.
10C. Introduction of Ordinance No. 2025-01, regulating mature trees in the City of Encinitas. Contact Person: Senior Mobility Planner Jedynak This agenda item has been removed from the agenda. The item only appears on this agenda because it was legally noticed.
11. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
There were no informational items.
12. COUNCIL MEMBER INITIATED AGENDA ITEM
There were no Council Member Initiated Agenda items.
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13. CITY COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS PURSUANT TO AB1234 (GC 53232.3(d)) / POSSIBLE DIRECTION TO STAFF
Council Member O’Hara reported on attending an NCTD working group for their work plan.
Mayor Ehlers reported on attending an Encina Wastewater Authority Board Meeting.
14. CITY MANAGER REPORTS
City Manager Campbell reported that the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department won awards in the following three categories for the 2024 California Parks and Recreation Society Award of Excellence
• Excellence in Design for the Pacific View Arts Center • Creating Community Award of Excellence for the Cyclovia Encinitas Open Street Event
• Champion of the Community awarded to Youth Commissioner Quade Kelly
15. CITY ATTORNEY REPORTS
No City Attorney report was given.
16. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Ehlers adjourned the meeting at 11:28 p.m.
_______________________________ ____________________________ Pete Weichers, Deputy City Clerk Bruce Ehlers, Mayor
By: Jackie Rapp, Management Analyst
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