Encinitas Municipal Code § 6.3 Infrastructure

The infrastructure is the physical, built structure and facilities of the City. It includes improvements to roadways, lighting, sewers, water and utilities. City services are provided by means of the infrastructure. Infrastructure in an area can add to the value of the land and thus increase the economic viability of an area. The ability of a community to provide these services is directly related to the expansion of the community. Limited infrastructure means limited growth.

For purposes of this plan, infrastructure will include, water, drainage, sewer, gas, electric, telephone, and cable. Infrastructure is essential to the North 101 Corridor Specific Plan because it will provide the means for plan implementation to take place. Without adequate infrastructure in place, development will have to provide certain facilities or be postponed.

Two factors determine the adequacy of existing infrastructure. The age of existing infrastructure, compared to its lifespan, delineates the need for infrastructure replacement. Also, the capacity of a facility relevant to projected growth has been analyzed and capacity limits have been determined. This specific plan outlines the need for infrastructure replacement and expansion in the North Highway 101 corridor.

The City of Encinitas provides storm water drainage for the planning area. The existing storm and surface water drainage system serving the North 101 corridor and adjacent neighborhoods is a combination of surface street/alley drainage and underground drain pipes.

The general area is plagued with localized low points in many streets and alleys without adequate drainage facilities to alleviate rainfall and runoff. Linear sumps are located along Vulcan Avenue, the railroad tracks and North Highway 101, and impact many businesses in Leucadia. Except for vertical seepage pits that were installed years ago and are now ineffective, virtually no drainage facilities exist in the area to relieve ponding conditions caused by the sump areas.

An Engineering Feasibility and Cost Estimate study was completed for the Highway 101 Corridor Drainage Improvements Project in May 1995. The report evaluated three alternatives for constructing a trunk line storm drain system to relieve the community of Leucadia from flooding conditions caused by ponding water. The alternatives were evaluated based on cost, constructibility, geotechnical conditions and site constraints.

The North 101 Corridor Specific Plan area is served by the City of Encinitas and the Leucadia County Water District. All sewage in the North 101 Corridor Specific Plan area flows north to the Encina processing plant. The existing lines provide adequate capacity for any expected growth scenario.

The specific plan area is served by the San Dieguito Water District. The main water lines in the existing distribution system are 12″ diameter pipes and feeder lines are 6″ or 8″ diameter pipes. Most pipes are made of asbestos cement and do not need to be replaced. Under normal conditions water supply in this area is adequate, however during a drought, cutbacks may be required. Water service for the build-out of the area as now proposed in the specific plan is currently sufficient except as noted below.

The water pipe flowing west along La Costa Avenue to Vulcan Avenue, extending south to Andrew Avenue, will be upgraded from a 6″ to a 12″ diameter pipe. Being a medium priority project, the upgrade will be extended beyond five years, or evaluated sooner, if development occurs in the immediate area.

Storage capacity for the entire water district is insufficient. According to the build-out projections in the Water District's Master Plan, 28 million gallons (mg) of water will need to be stored by 2014. Existing storage is at 5.5 mg, with a 7.5 mg reservoir currently under construction and another 7.5 mg reservoir in the early design stage. No potential sites for increased storage are located in the specific plan area. Storage capacity is a region wide water district issue and is beyond the scope of the specific plan.

Gas service for the specific plan area is provided by San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E). According to staff from the Gas System Planning Section of SDG&E, gas pressure in the specific plan area is adequate to serve the area. Some older gas mains exists, but no replacement is anticipated at this time, and none are scheduled for replacement in the near future. No anticipated problems are foreseen with build-out of the specific plan.

San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) also provides power to the specific plan area. All existing primary electric lines are above ground. Although no problems are foreseen with build-out of the specific plan, the undergrounding of all primary electric lines is proposed and should be coordinated with proposed streetscape improvements.

Rule 20A, replacement of overhead with underground electric facilities, requires the utility company to pay a portion of undergrounding. This includes undergrounding of electric facilities that are in the general public interest, that have adopted an ordinance creating an underground district that meets scenic criteria and that extend for a minimum distance of one block or 600 feet whichever is lesser.

Pacific Bell provides service for the North 101 corridor by existing aerial lines and there is adequate capacity. Changes and growth are based on historical observation and changes in trends and no age problem has been identified.

Pacific Bell has its lines on San Diego Gas & Electric poles, and if San Diego Gas and Electric is undergrounding lines then the phone company will also underground lines. Although the phone company does not have a 20A program, they are required to match San Diego Gas and Electric's 20A funds for undergrounding.