2024 Encinitas City Council Election

Question #1: Vision for the City of Encinitas

The City of Encinitas (COE) comprises five distinct districts. Throughout the city there is growth and along with it, challenges. What is your vision for the City of Encinitas?

Response from Allison Blackwell, Candidate:

The General Plan introduces Encinitas community character as “[t]he City’s variety of housing, opportunities, rich natural setting, small town atmosphere, pleasant climate and other amenities….” When I arrived in Encinitas over a decade ago, I saw a mix of people, housing, and businesses that stretched from a beautiful coastline to rolling hills in Olivenhain. The town had, and still has, a distinct local feel and welcomed everyone.

My vision for Encinitas is to continue that distinct local feel and welcoming spirit as the City grows and changes.

• Housing/Development: Support sensible housing, especially affordable housing, and preserve historic buildings. Ensure a healthy mix of housing options to support economic diversity. Improve roads for safe passage and support all modes of getting around town (driving, walking, biking).

• Opportunities: Attract and support a mix of businesses, especially small, non-chain businesses. Promote our culture of arts, surfing, skating, yoga, etc. including seeking California Cultural District designation

• Rich Natural Setting: Protect our environment, open space, and sustainable coastline

• Small Town Atmosphere: Promote a strong culture of arts, recreation, sports and community activities. Engage the residents and listen to their input.

Response from Luke Shaffer, Candidate:

My vision for District 1 is to create a thriving community that reflects our coastal charm and is ready for a sustainable future. We must have a clear understanding of what our city should look like by 2040, 2050, and beyond. an image that we can all refer to when making decisions. It’s crucial that residents are part of this vision, especially regarding the Rail Corridor. Together, we can ensure safe rail crossings, reduce train noise, and establish vibrant pathways to our beaches and parks, creating an inclusive environment that supports local businesses and enhances community life...

Question #2: Challenges

Identify what you believe are the greatest challenges facing the City of Encinitas.

Response from Allison Blackwell, Candidate:

Encinitas is a beautiful community with so much to offer, but we also have some significant challenges including housing densification, infrastructure needs, homelessness, and environmental issues. For this question, I will address the two topics I hear about most from District 1 residents.

• Housing: It is a challenge to meet state requirements on housing in a community that is primarily built out. The 6th Cycle Housing Element 2021-2029 disproportionately affects District 1. It is important to have a Housing Element in good standing, especially after years of non-compliance findings. In parallel, the City needs to advocate strongly for housing laws and policy that make sense for our community. The City also should lead the pursuit of low-density affordable housing developments that provide a mix of housing, enriching our community without density.

• Infrastructure: It is also a challenge to address gaps in infrastructure due to housing densification and aging infrastructure. State law requires housing but does not generally fund infrastructure needed to support new housing. Also, the City aims to achieve Vision Zero (eliminating traffic fatalities and severe injuries through a data-driven approach and safe streets) and will need to support road improvements that improve safety. Additionally, many infrastructure improvements are extremely expensive e.g., Leucadia drainage, making prioritization important. The City needs to follow the road map put in place by the Infrastructure Task Force and address the most critical needs first.

Response from Luke Shaffer, Candidate:

One of the biggest challenges we face in District 1 is managing growth in a way that protects our unique character and ensures public safety. We can't simply approve developments without considering their impacts on traffic, infrastructure, and our neighborhoods. Growth must be responsible and measured, with clear assessments of how each project affects the community. I will advocate for a thoughtful approach that prioritizes the needs of District 1 residents while maintaining our quality of life.

Question #3: Affordable Housing

The State of California has mandated affordable housing. What is your stance on affordable housing? Should efforts be made by the COE to remain in compliance with the current State’s regulations? If not, what is your specific plan of action to address the state requirements.

Response from Allison Blackwell, Candidate:

With rising housing costs, affordable housing plays a crucial role in fostering a healthy community with diverse backgrounds and ideas. And when people have secure housing, they are more likely to contribute positively to their community.  Yet, a middle-class family cannot afford to live in Encinitas today.

Private development has created some affordable housing (15-20% of each development) but that generally results in high-density projects, which the community does not favor. I believe the City can lead here, which is why I led the Council in creating the Affordable Housing Task Force. This task force is looking at properties, primarily city-owned, where affordable housing can be financially feasible, lower density, and with ample affordable units.

Regarding state housing laws, I believe the City needs to continue to meet state requirements and keep its Housing Element in good standing. Getting an approved Housing Element was a long and expensive process. And if the City fails to meet state requirements, then the consequences are unacceptable.

I am not in favor of breaking the state law and/or inviting or initiating lawsuits. In parallel to having a Housing Element in good standing, we can increase our efforts to ensure housing laws are sensible for our community and advocate for more local control, through strategic opposition or support of new laws. We also can plan for our next Housing Element cycle, which will require a Prop A vote, through efforts like the Affordable Housing Task Force.

Note from the editor, Allison included this illustrative graphic in her response to this question.

Response from Luke Shaffer, Candidate:

Addressing affordable housing requires transparency and accountability, which is currently lacking. We must conduct a thorough audit of both our existing affordable housing stock, and more importantly, the new units developers are building with density bonuses attached. We will track which units are serving our lower income neighbors and which are being misused, and whether any of the inventory is actually being sold to lower income individuals. With proper monitoring, we can better serve our community's needs by ensuring we are providing the housing we have promised, rather than perpetuating a failing plan. I believe in increasing the percentage of affordable units in new developments, which will help us meet state mandates quicker and with less impact on our infrastructure, safety and community character. It’s vital that our city council represents the interests of residents rather than developers. I will work alongside organizations like Livable California to advocate for policies that truly benefit our community and foster affordable living.

Question #4: Infrastructure

There are many infrastructure needs, both new and those requiring repair or ongoing maintenance in the City of Encinitas. The recent Infrastructure Task Force reviewed and identified infrastructure needs that have a projected cost of$500-1 Billion dollars over the next ten years. In 2024 the overall annual net revenue available for capital improvements was approximately $4 Million. Please prioritize the top three infrastructure projects that you would support. How best should these projects and others identified be funded in light of the shortfall as outlined above.

Response from Allison Blackwell, Candidate:

Here are my recommendations on the top infrastructure projects for District 1:

• Address backlog projects first specifically

  • Drainage (e.g., N. Coast Highway 101 Drainage Improvements, Jason Street Drainage Improvements)

  • Additional paving (street overlay and slurry) e.g., Leucadia Boulevard

  • Address future needs projects specifically

• Address future needs projects specifically

  • Interim Vulcan Ped Path

  • Leucadia At-Grade Crossings

  • Quail Gardens Drive Bike Lanes and Sidewalk Infill

  • La Costa Ped Path

I support Measure K – the 1-cent sales tax increase currently on the ballot. In response to the growing infrastructure needs, the City Council put in place an Infrastructure Task Force (ITF) in 2023. The ITF was staffed with expert residents and City Engineering staff who met over the course of one year to review infrastructure needs and prioritize them. The ITF provided the Council with a prioritized infrastructure list and a unanimous recommendation to move forward with a sales tax ballot measure.

If Measure K passes, then the City Council should use the ITF prioritization list, which is a great road map, and deploy the additional sales tax revenue (estimated to be $15 million annually) to the most critical projects.

If Measure K does not pass, then the City Council should still use the ITF prioritized list and will need to look at the list with an eye to what can be funded within the existing city budget and/or through grants/appropriations funding. The Council may need to pause or stop some projects to free up funds. It also may need to break projects such as drainage improvements into smaller phases that can be funded within the annual budget. These are tough trade-offs to make especially since residents have been waiting a long time for many of the infrastructure projects.

Response from Luke Shaffer, Candidate:

The projected infrastructure needs for our city are significant, and it’s essential to address them proactively. I believe we can achieve our goals within a more realistic budget of $100-200 million over the next decade. Our annual unassigned revenue can range anywhere from $2M - 10 Million or more, depending upon how money is spent in other areas. So it is up to the council to free up money for these projects. With the right fiscal strategies, including the pursuit of grants and optimizing our current revenue, we can prioritize projects that matter to residents. Key initiatives like the La Costa Avenue pedestrian trail and the Quiet Zone should be funded without delay. I’m committed to ensuring these vital projects are completed swiftly and effectively.

Question #5: Mobility

Increased growth in the COE creates complexities in mobility. Are you in favor of the City developing multi-modal forms of transportation? How would you address increasing demands on parking? What traffic calming measures, if any, do you support?

Response from Allison Blackwell, Candidate:

I am a good example of a multi-modal resident because I walk, bike, and drive around town. I advocate for safe roads/trails for all types of transportation. I believe pedestrians, cyclists, and cars can co-exist safely on a well-designed road. Leucadia Streetscape Seg A is a good example of this — safe rail crossing (El Portal underpass), roundabout, bike lanes, sidewalks, and smooth roads for cars. Traffic flows well, and people tell me they feel safe biking, walking, or driving there.

Slowing down traffic can prevent collisions and save lives. Research shows that a pedestrian hit by a vehicle traveling at 40 mph has a 10% chance of surviving, whereas a pedestrian hit by a vehicle traveling at 20 mph has a 90% chance of surviving. I support traffic calming measures and believe they can work well if tailored to the neighborhood’s needs. One example is the intersection of Eolus/Andrew/Hillcrest. The neighborhood was concerned with speeding, and the City tried a quick build roundabout to slow down traffic. That experiment revealed that a roundabout was not the best solution and shifted to all-way stop controls, which seems to be getting the job done. Some recent improvements on Quail Gardens Drive and Saxony also appear to be helping to reasonably slow down traffic, making conditions safer.

Parking is a challenge in certain spots around town, and near coastal access points, the City needs to ensure we have adequate parking. It will likely get worse around housing element developments. Developers will generally put in the minimum required. If the City engages developers early in the design process, we may be able to influence additional parking and on-site parking that is free or low-cost.

Where parking continues to be scarce, having a robust permit parking program can help neighborhoods preserve parking for residents. I led the Council in initiating a revision of our permit parking ordinance and program, which is currently underway. Finally, where necessary, the City can create new parking, but I would advocate for using what we have more efficiently or building new parking that can be incorporated into the surroundings rather than paving over more open areas.

Response from Luke Shaffer, Candidate:

As a Military Veteran, I bring a unique perspective to the complexities of mobility in our growing community. E-bike safety is at a critical breaking point; we cannot continue to allow children to navigate shared roads without proper protections. I envision a dedicated cycling path that runs east to west, ensuring safer access to our beaches and schools for all families. If we aren't going to demand adequate parking from developers, the city must step up and provide more parking options to meet community needs. Additionally, traffic calming measures should be uniformly implemented across the city. Speeding through vulnerable neighborhoods can lead to dangerous situations, and we must prioritize the safety of our residents. I will advocate for improved traffic enforcement and increased patrol deputies to help create a safer environment for everyone.

Question #6: Rail

Do you support the implementation of safe rail crossing(s) in northwest Leucadia and a Quiet Zone throughout coastal Encinitas? What specific efforts do you believe are needed to realize safe crossings and a Quiet Zone?

Response from Allison Blackwell, Candidate:

Yes, I am 100% supportive. It is the right thing for the community, and since I live near the railroad tracks, I understand firsthand the need for safe crossings and a citywide quiet zone.

I believe we can achieve success on both projects by having the following in place. Currently, I believe that the City is managing these projects along these lines.

• Focused effort: Ensure that City staff is assigned and focused on moving these projects through as quickly and diligently as possible.

• Expert advisors: The City needs to have the right experts e.g., RailPros to advise on how to design these projects and navigate through the complex administrative processes.

• Partnership: The City needs to have a “partnership” approach with the various regulatory agencies involved in approvals of these projects, and the partnership needs to include excellent communication.

• Community engagement: The City also needs to communicate frequently and openly with the community and involve community groups that are focused on these projects in regular meetings.

• Funding: The timeline of these projects can be long due to the regulatory processes. It is difficult to impossible to reserve budget monies to fund construction in advance of the need. Yet, the City can identify a path to funding at the outset and pursue any grant and appropriation funding opportunities to help defray the direct cost to the City.

I have seen momentum on both projects in the last 18 months and am committed to seeing that progress continue.

Response from Luke Shaffer, Candidate:

I fully support the implementation of safe rail crossings in northwest Leucadia and the establishment of a Quiet Zone across coastal Encinitas. This issue has been neglected for too long. To move forward, we need a council that prioritizes fiscal responsibility and is dedicated to securing funding through grants. I believe we can secure the necessary resources in the budget and work collaboratively to realize these projects, which are essential for enhancing the safety, health and quality of life for our residents.