PLANNING COMMISSION
ANNUAL REPORT & WORK PLAN
City Council Meeting
September 23, 2026
Stephen Dalton
Planning Commission Chair
BACKGROUND
2 B A C K G R O U N D
• Pursuant to the Planning Commission Bylaws and the Encinitas Municipal Code (EMC) Section 2.30.040(C) the Planning Commission is required to prepare an Annual Report and Work Plan for City Council consideration
• On August 6, 2026, the Planning Commission adopted the 2025 Annual Report and draft 2026-2027 Work Plan under Resolution No. PC 2026-20.
3 2026 / 2027 ANNUAL WORK
PLAN & CURRENT GOALS
STATUS
4 2 0 2 5 / 2 0 2 6 A N N U A L R E P O R T
5 Planning Commission Meetings Held 2025
Joint Study Sessions with City Council • AB 2011/SB 6 Ordinance and ODS 1 Joint Study Sessions with Other Commissions/Boards • Mature Tree Ordinance 1 Regular Planning Commission Meetings 17
Planning Commission Subcommittees 2025
Subcommittees Formed:
• Dark Skies Ordinance
1 Projects Reviewed by the Planning Commission 2025
Policy, Ordinance,& Regulatory Projects/Recommendations • AB 2011/SB6 Ordinance and ODS
• Mature Tree Ordinance • Native Plant Ordinance • Off-Street Parking Minor Amendment Ordinance • Manufactured Homes Minor Amendment Ordinance 5 Discretionary Projects 32
Projects Appealed to City Council
(Resolutions issued)
1 a. Upheld commission decision? • Sage Canyon1
a. Reversed?0
a. Modified?0
a. Withdrawn?0
a. Referred back to Planning Commission?0
Alcohol-related Land Use Permits3
Density Bonus Projects2
2 0 2 5/ 2 026 W O R K P L A N S TAT U S
6 Task Name Description Budgeted Status Next Task
Native Plan Ordinance Explore a native plant landscape policy Yes Completed Reviewed and approved
with recommendations by
the Planning Commission
2/19/26.
Omnibus Code Clean up
Identify issues that have come before the Planning
Commission that may warrant the need for a minor code
clean-up item. This should include slope lots.
No Ongoing PC agenda 9/17/2026
AB 2011/SB 6
On August 16, 2023, the City Council initiated amendments to the City's municipal code to implement AB 2011 and SB 6.
Staff have been working with a consultant to develop a site selection tool to depict eligible sites within the City pursuant to legislative requirements in the bills.
Yes Completed
Reviewed and approved
with recommendations by
the Planning Commission
4/16/26.
Resource Management Plan
Update
Update the Resource Management Plan Element. Yes Completed Reviewed and approved
by the Planning
Commission on 8/20/2026
2 0 2 5 / 2 0 2 6 W O R K P L A N S TAT U S
7 Task Name Description Budgeted Status Next Task
Cardiff Twinhome Lot Variance
Request
Amendment to the existing Encinitas Municipal Code to allow a zero-foot interior side yard setback for properties in the R-15 zones in Cardiff.
No Ongoing
Staff is working on this in
conjunction with the omnibus
code update
Preservation of Open Space
This goal was aligned with the City Council 25/26 Annual Work Plan Goal 4.1.D “As part of the private development permitting process, seek partnerships for the
inclusion/preservation of open space”
No Completed
Staff continues to explore
opportunities to expand sensitive
habitat areas while evaluating
private development applications.
Several Housing Element (HE) sites
and smaller projects have
progressed through this process.
General Plan Review
Review the General Plan and make recommendations to
identify objective requirements to protect the City’s character for City Council review.
No Not
Started
Citizen Participation Program Make modifications to require the timing of when the CPP meeting shall occur. No Ongoing
Dark Skies Ordinance Explore a dark skies ordinance and/or policy. No Ongoing Planning Commission formed a subcommittee on 11/6/2025
2 0 2 5 / 2 0 2 6 W O R K P L A N S TAT U S
8 Task Name Description Budgeted Status Next Task
Land Use Element Update Leverages multiple Strategic Plan initiatives, including Economic Development, Circulation Element Update and Parks Master Plan Update; would reinforce areas of stability and address areas of change in the city; can address community-specific planning topics
No Ongoing
Zoning Code Update Bring needed modernization to the Zoning Code, achieve update to Local Coastal Program.
No Completed
Increase Affordable Housing Explore tools and requirements to increase affordable housing within the city.
No Not Started
2 0 2 6 / 2 0 2 7 P L A N N I N G C O M M I S S I O N W O R K P L A N 9 2 0 2 6/ 2 027 P l a n ni n g C o m m i s s i o n Wo rk P l a n 10 2 0 2 6 / 2 0 2 7 P L A N N I N G C O M M I S S I O N W O R K P L A N 11 DISCUSSION
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