Encinitas advances two proposed La Costa Avenue developments

ENCINITAS — The Encinitas Planning Commission approved two major development projects last Thursday, greenlighting plans for a 42-home residential community and a boutique hotel proposed along the La Costa Avenue corridor.

Developer Toll West Coast, also known as Toll Brothers, one of the largest homebuilding companies in the U.S., presented its plans for The Cove, previously known as “La Costa 48” and “Weston Subdivision Project.”

The project consists of 42 single- and two-story homes in various architectural styles, including modern farmhouses and coastal contemporary and contemporary craftsman designs.

Each home will range from approximately 1,600 to 4,000 square feet, and the community is designed to be all-electric with sustainable features like solar panels and electric heat pumps.

During the meeting, several commissioners raised concerns about the homes’ architectural design, particularly the lack of visual interest in some facades and the distinguishable appearance of the affordable housing units.

Others, during public comment, raised concerns about the development’s potential environmental impacts, such as soil contamination and water runoff.

David Hill, a Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation board member who specializes in water quality management, criticized the developers for encapsulating rather than removing what he said were 6,300 tons of hazardous materials, including organochlorine pesticides, buried beneath the planned homes.

Hill said that this decision could pose a long-term contamination risk to the lagoon, especially without groundwater monitoring wells to detect potential leaks.

“There’s liability involved, and the city of Encinitas is on the hook for that,” Hill said in the meeting. “I respectfully indicate … that monitoring groundwater wells be installed in order to protect and ensure the integrity of the [lagoon].”

Despite reservations, the commission moved forward with a vote to approve the Toll Brothers’ project and the motion passed unanimously.

The commission also approved plans for the La Costa Boutique Hotel, a 17-room establishment featuring a small restaurant and several sustainable design elements. The hotel aims to provide a low-impact addition to the community, emphasizing a family-friendly environment and minimal environmental footprint.

During the public comment period, some residents expressed concerns about potential parking issues and the impact of events at the hotel. 

“I ask the commission to get clarification on where employees are going to park,” said Scott Campbell, a local resident. “Are they going to park next door in the La Costa 48? Are they going to park on Sheridan?”

The applicant, architect Lindsay Brown, said the project was designed to be small-scale and community-friendly.

“My kids grew up, learned how to ride their bikes on Sheridan, and that’s when I first discovered this property, walking and driving by,” Brown said in the meeting.“This is not a dance hall, this is not a hoot and holler late night drinking establishment, this is going to be what you would expect folks like us to build after this much time and passion has been poured into it.”

After deliberation, the commission voted unanimously to approve the La Costa Boutique Hotel project, concluding that it met all municipal codes and guidelines.

“I think it’s an exceptional design,” said Commission Chair Stephen Dalton. “I mean, I think if a project of this small scale can’t come into our town, with 17 technical studies, and be approved, it would be a travesty.”