ENCINITAS — The Encinitas Planning Commission recommended approval of a mature tree ordinance on Thursday, advancing the long-debated measure to the City Council for final consideration next month.
The proposed ordinance establishes protections for mature trees on public property and private developments, including new subdivisions, multi-family housing and commercial projects. Several years in the making, the proposal outlines a mitigation process requiring developers to preserve, relocate or replace removed trees at designated ratios.
Single-family homes and properties in very high fire hazard zones would be exempt.
“This effort was initiated by the City Council in December 2021,” said senior planner Evan Jedynak, noting the measure aims to define what qualifies as a mature tree and establish preservation standards.
During public comment, arborist Mark Wisniewski expressed support for the ordinance but raised concerns about enforcement, citing past instances of tree protections not being followed.
“I would just like to see that enforcement is enforced, including on current projects,” he said.
Commissioners discussed concerns about the ordinance’s impact on commercial property owners, its applicability to housing density bonus projects, and why palm and eucalyptus trees are exempt. They also sought clarity on enforcement mechanisms and how the ordinance applies to city-owned properties.
Last September, the Encinitas Planning Commission approved the Torrey Crest residential subdivision with conditions to address concerns over mature tree preservation, traffic and environmental impact.
The density bonus project on Melba Road and Island View Lane in Old Encinitas will demolish all existing structures to make way for 30 single-family homes, including three affordable housing units. One of the project’s more controversial elements was the potential removal of up to 100 mature trees, some over 100 years old, as part of road widening plans for Melba Road.
In November 2024, the Encinitas City Council denied an appeal of the Torrey Crest project, which will remove and preserve mature trees on site.
The City Council is expected to review the mature tree ordinance on March 26. If adopted, it would introduce new tree preservation requirements for future development in Encinitas.
