click image for large view
You can view Streetscape Plan #4 on my Picasa web album here.
Or, you can download the full size photos from the city of Encinitas website here.
Or, click the images below:
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Leucadia Streetscape Alt #4 Images
click image for large view
You can view Streetscape Plan #4 on my Picasa web album here.
Or, you can download the full size photos from the city of Encinitas website here.
Or, click the images below:
Friday, December 12, 2008
Leucadia Hwy 101 Tree Chopping scheduled for Jan 2009
The city is at it again, between the tree trimmers making work for themselves and the city's fear of trees as a public safety menace they have scheduled the following executions, I mean "maintenance":
The trees to be removed are located in the 1100 block (1), 1300 block
(2), 1400 block (6). The specific locations and types of trees are
below.
1100 Hwy 101 /N Median tree #6 Monterey Cypress .
1300 Hwy 101 /N Median tree #1 Red Iron Bark Euc.
1300 Hwy 101 /N Median tree #6 Red Iron Bark Euc.
1400 Hwy 101 /N Median tree #4 Blue Gum Euc.
1400 Hwy 101 /N Median tree #6 Blue Gum Euc.
1400 Hwy 101 /N Median tree #13 Blue Gum Euc.
1400 Hwy 101 /N Median tree #14 Blue Gum Euc.
1400 Hwy 101 /N Median tree #16 Blue Gum Euc.
1400 Hwy 101 /N Median tree #17 Sugar Gum Euc.
The trees will be clearly marked with a sign on them that state they will be removed and include a phone number for inquiries. The signs will be placed two weeks in advance. There are a few older/larger trees to be removed. This is unfortunate but older they get the more problems are encountered. The trees that show evidence of disease have visible "conks" on them. The conks identify a disease but there are so many different types of diseases it makes it difficult to classify. We did get two professional arborist opinions and their conclusions were different in some cases. We are only removing those where both professionals agreed they needed to be removed.
Thank you.
Mark Hosford
Street Division Superintendent
City of Encinitas
505 S. Vulcan Ave.
Encinitas, CA. 92024
760-633-2873
mhosford@cityofencinitas.org
Press Release:
STREET TREE MAINTENANCE
Begins the Week of January 19, 2008
North Coast Highway 101
From Leucadia Blvd to La Costa Ave
The City trees in the North Coast Highway 101 corridor were inspected by certified arborists. The inspection revealed a need to prune approximately 278 trees in the center median and on the west side of the street.
In addition to the pruning, the inspection also revealed 9 trees that need to be removed. Unfortunately, these trees pose a rick to the public and we are unable to save them. In conjunction with the N. Coast Hwy 101 Streetscape project the City will plant new trees to replace the ones removed.
The contractor, West Coast Arborist, will provide notices to affected businesses and residences to inform them of the pending work. They will also place “No Parking” signs 72 hours in advance of the work at specific locations.
The trees to be removed will be clearly marked and a sign posted on them to inform the public of the pending removals. The work is expected to take two weeks to complete.
We apologize for any inconvenience and ask for your patience while we complete this maintenance. If you have any questions concerning this work please contact the following:
West Coast Arborist, Inc.
(800) 521-3714
City of Encinitas, Public Works
(760) 633-2850
The trees to be removed are located in the 1100 block (1), 1300 block
(2), 1400 block (6). The specific locations and types of trees are
below.
1100 Hwy 101 /N Median tree #6 Monterey Cypress .
1300 Hwy 101 /N Median tree #1 Red Iron Bark Euc.
1300 Hwy 101 /N Median tree #6 Red Iron Bark Euc.
1400 Hwy 101 /N Median tree #4 Blue Gum Euc.
1400 Hwy 101 /N Median tree #6 Blue Gum Euc.
1400 Hwy 101 /N Median tree #13 Blue Gum Euc.
1400 Hwy 101 /N Median tree #14 Blue Gum Euc.
1400 Hwy 101 /N Median tree #16 Blue Gum Euc.
1400 Hwy 101 /N Median tree #17 Sugar Gum Euc.
The trees will be clearly marked with a sign on them that state they will be removed and include a phone number for inquiries. The signs will be placed two weeks in advance. There are a few older/larger trees to be removed. This is unfortunate but older they get the more problems are encountered. The trees that show evidence of disease have visible "conks" on them. The conks identify a disease but there are so many different types of diseases it makes it difficult to classify. We did get two professional arborist opinions and their conclusions were different in some cases. We are only removing those where both professionals agreed they needed to be removed.
Thank you.
Mark Hosford
Street Division Superintendent
City of Encinitas
505 S. Vulcan Ave.
Encinitas, CA. 92024
760-633-2873
mhosford@cityofencinitas.org
Press Release:
STREET TREE MAINTENANCE
Begins the Week of January 19, 2008
North Coast Highway 101
From Leucadia Blvd to La Costa Ave
The City trees in the North Coast Highway 101 corridor were inspected by certified arborists. The inspection revealed a need to prune approximately 278 trees in the center median and on the west side of the street.
In addition to the pruning, the inspection also revealed 9 trees that need to be removed. Unfortunately, these trees pose a rick to the public and we are unable to save them. In conjunction with the N. Coast Hwy 101 Streetscape project the City will plant new trees to replace the ones removed.
The contractor, West Coast Arborist, will provide notices to affected businesses and residences to inform them of the pending work. They will also place “No Parking” signs 72 hours in advance of the work at specific locations.
The trees to be removed will be clearly marked and a sign posted on them to inform the public of the pending removals. The work is expected to take two weeks to complete.
We apologize for any inconvenience and ask for your patience while we complete this maintenance. If you have any questions concerning this work please contact the following:
West Coast Arborist, Inc.
(800) 521-3714
City of Encinitas, Public Works
(760) 633-2850
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
9 Reasons why Leucadia Hwy 101 doesn't need a Streetscape Project
The northbound bike lane is safe and fun!
This is normal in downtown Encinitas.
These people are having fun walking Leucadia 101!
It's safe for strollers and grandparents and plenty of good parking!
Good thing all the trees got cut down because running in the shade was for wimps!
The southbound bike lane is world class!
Walking along 4 lanes of high speed traffic is fun for baby!
This is normal in New Encinitas.
The coast highway is safe so drive fast and enjoy!
Monday, December 08, 2008
Special Meeting on Tuesday Dec. 9, 6pm
Special Meeting on Tuesday Dec. 9, 6pm
Declaring the official results of the Nov. 4 election
Selection of new Mayor and Deputy Mayor
Reception for Jerome Stocks for his service as Mayor in 2008.
Joint San Dieguito Water and City Council on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 6pm
Council to make appointments to City and Regional Committees and Boards based on the (new) Mayor's recommendations.
Regular City Council Meeting Wednesday, Dec. 10 immediately following the joint meeting.
Presentation by Marty Reed regarding the City First program. A financing initiative for citizens interested in renewable and solar technology at no cost to the participating cities.
Nine items on consent, including formally establishing the Environmental Commission and awarding a contract for the construction of alley improvements in Cardiff behind VG Donuts. The property owners and the city will split the costs 50/50.
Three items on the regular agenda:
Approval to proceed with a "Buy Local E" campaign to encourage residents & shoppers to shop locally.
Receive results of public workshops regarding city requirements for under-grounding utilities.
Authorize city manager to enter into a contract with McCabe and Co. (not related to Planning Commissioner Tom McCabe) for professional services regarding the appeal of the Hall park approval to the Coastal Commission.
Declaring the official results of the Nov. 4 election
Selection of new Mayor and Deputy Mayor
Reception for Jerome Stocks for his service as Mayor in 2008.
Joint San Dieguito Water and City Council on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 6pm
Council to make appointments to City and Regional Committees and Boards based on the (new) Mayor's recommendations.
Regular City Council Meeting Wednesday, Dec. 10 immediately following the joint meeting.
Presentation by Marty Reed regarding the City First program. A financing initiative for citizens interested in renewable and solar technology at no cost to the participating cities.
Nine items on consent, including formally establishing the Environmental Commission and awarding a contract for the construction of alley improvements in Cardiff behind VG Donuts. The property owners and the city will split the costs 50/50.
Three items on the regular agenda:
Approval to proceed with a "Buy Local E" campaign to encourage residents & shoppers to shop locally.
Receive results of public workshops regarding city requirements for under-grounding utilities.
Authorize city manager to enter into a contract with McCabe and Co. (not related to Planning Commissioner Tom McCabe) for professional services regarding the appeal of the Hall park approval to the Coastal Commission.
Sunday, December 07, 2008
Encinitas Holiday Parade 2008
YAY, HAPPY FUN!
OOOoooooh, purty.
I think my favorite part is getting to wander around the middle of the 101 after the parade ends.
By the way, the E is out in the sign...
BURNING QUESTION: Could the Leucadia Hwy 101 current infrastructure support a similar event?
Saturday, December 06, 2008
ECC: Keep Leucadia Junky?
Coast News: Encinitas Chamber publishes 101 survey results by Mike Andreen
Excerpt, on Nov. 13, the chamber brought out more than 200 people, most new to the Streetscape process, to evaluate the new Plan 4.
The chamber petitioned the city of Encinitas for copies of the survey that was handed out, filled out and returned to the project team in City Hall at Workshop No. 3 on Nov. 13 by more than 180 people in attendance.
1. The survey results totaled up to an unambiguous vote against this project “moving ahead to the City Council”. The vote was nearly 2-1 against the “project” moving forward.
2. Additionally, this survey recorded far more “no” votes than “yes” votes when asked if attendees on Nov. 13 to City Hall, “support the new alternative presented tonight?” (Plan 4)
If you are following this blog on an RSS feed then you might have missed that I have several polls in the left column of your screen. Pop over to the home page to check them out, leucadia.blogspot.com
My newest poll posted only a few days ask, Do you support a streetscape project for Leucadia? As of this writing 64 people have voted. 53 people have voted yes (82%), 4 people no (6%) and 7 not sure (10%).
I previously posted a poll asking about roundabouts (scroll way down the page). 607 people have voted on that one. 432 voted for "I LOVE THEM" (71%) and 175 votes for "HORRIBLE" (28%).
Mike Andreen and the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce seem determined to kill the streetscape project in it's entirety due to disagreements on roundabouts and lane configurations. Obviously these two elements are the most controversial, but to stop the streetscape project and NOT have an improved and safer roadway, NO tree planting, NO center median landscaping with native plants, NO sidewalks and NO streetlamps is not only reckless but selfish and shortsighted in my opinion.
Is the status quo of Leucadia's Hwy 101 acceptable?
Excerpt, on Nov. 13, the chamber brought out more than 200 people, most new to the Streetscape process, to evaluate the new Plan 4.
The chamber petitioned the city of Encinitas for copies of the survey that was handed out, filled out and returned to the project team in City Hall at Workshop No. 3 on Nov. 13 by more than 180 people in attendance.
1. The survey results totaled up to an unambiguous vote against this project “moving ahead to the City Council”. The vote was nearly 2-1 against the “project” moving forward.
2. Additionally, this survey recorded far more “no” votes than “yes” votes when asked if attendees on Nov. 13 to City Hall, “support the new alternative presented tonight?” (Plan 4)
If you are following this blog on an RSS feed then you might have missed that I have several polls in the left column of your screen. Pop over to the home page to check them out, leucadia.blogspot.com
My newest poll posted only a few days ask, Do you support a streetscape project for Leucadia? As of this writing 64 people have voted. 53 people have voted yes (82%), 4 people no (6%) and 7 not sure (10%).
I previously posted a poll asking about roundabouts (scroll way down the page). 607 people have voted on that one. 432 voted for "I LOVE THEM" (71%) and 175 votes for "HORRIBLE" (28%).
Mike Andreen and the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce seem determined to kill the streetscape project in it's entirety due to disagreements on roundabouts and lane configurations. Obviously these two elements are the most controversial, but to stop the streetscape project and NOT have an improved and safer roadway, NO tree planting, NO center median landscaping with native plants, NO sidewalks and NO streetlamps is not only reckless but selfish and shortsighted in my opinion.
Is the status quo of Leucadia's Hwy 101 acceptable?
Friday, December 05, 2008
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Anonymous Comments and Agent Provocateurs
Just a friendly reminder to everyone who visits this blog and actively reads and post comments, some of the anonymous comments are obviously the work of at least one agent provocateur. These negative comments and personal attacks are designed to get the blood boiling of certain individuals involved in the Leucadia Streetscape process. Remember to read all comments with a grain of salt and keep a cool head on your shoulders. The internet is a strange place.
Gravel Edges
Leucadia offers an opportunity to escape master planed HOA conformity. Leucadia has been anything but superficial. We have a lot of character and part of that has to do with how our community has evolved.
I am big on form meeting function and for using the resources that you have on the ground and working with those elements to meet your needs. Doing so results in a unique character that is a genuine reflection of our place and its people.
Some of the characteristics of Leucadian neighborhoods are big lots with lots of fruit trees, Torrey pines, and palms and you will find streets framed with grass and old plantings.
Years ago, it wasn't uncommon for people to say these neighborhoods reminded them of Hawaii.
I haven't heard that recently. Now we have these awful gravel swales along the sides of the road.
Apparently, the city forces people to do this. Not only does this reduce the curb appeal, and thus the value of our neighborhoods, it reduces the safety of our streets for pedestrians and bikers. There is no way kids can ride their bikes through the gravel, so they are funneled in to narrow roads in front of moving cars.
This is made worse by the fact that the city has been allowing developers to use some of the street for the gravel beds. In the above picture, about two feet of asphalt was torn out. This practice is pushing kids further toward the middle of the road.
It is not comfortable to walk through the gravel, so people walk in the way of auto traffic. It sure ain't making Leucadia more walkable. It is making walking less desirable and dangerous.
You might not even have the opportunity to walk in the gravel. In the above picture it shows how the city tried to shove parking, drainage, utilities, and a walking path on top of each other. This particular gravel swale fills with weeds and makes the street look ghetto.
Why bother?
Does the city maintain these swales? Can anyone argue that this is good for property values? I've talked to a couple developers who don't think so and who would rather not do this crap (their description).
Here is a tale of two developers on Vulcan.
One developer put in a heartwarming gravel trap and the other put in a more finished look with curbs and a sidewalk. Two different approaches just down the street from each other.
Does this mean that developers have a choice? Ugly gravel that requires maintenance (Option A) or gutters and sidewalks (Option B)? I hope this is not what is going on, because it seems totally dumb. If the city is willing to allow all the hardscape of Option B, why not allow grass to the edge of the street (Option L)? Option L would result in less hardscape and allow way more percolation than Option B.
Another question. Why don't we see people in New Encinitas being forced to cut out their sidewalks out and put in gravel pits? Why does Leucadia get special treatment?
Here is a tale of two sides of one development.
On one street it is junkyard gravel and the other a nice gutter. The gutter moves the water quickly down the street and into the storm drain. Why no gravel pits here?
Then there are cases where the engineering goes right to the edge of the asphalt. No escape for kids on bikes and there is no reduction in drainage. Why no gravel pits here?
Why are some people forced to do gravel pits and not others?
I am big on form meeting function and for using the resources that you have on the ground and working with those elements to meet your needs. Doing so results in a unique character that is a genuine reflection of our place and its people.
Some of the characteristics of Leucadian neighborhoods are big lots with lots of fruit trees, Torrey pines, and palms and you will find streets framed with grass and old plantings.
Years ago, it wasn't uncommon for people to say these neighborhoods reminded them of Hawaii.
I haven't heard that recently. Now we have these awful gravel swales along the sides of the road.
Apparently, the city forces people to do this. Not only does this reduce the curb appeal, and thus the value of our neighborhoods, it reduces the safety of our streets for pedestrians and bikers. There is no way kids can ride their bikes through the gravel, so they are funneled in to narrow roads in front of moving cars.
This is made worse by the fact that the city has been allowing developers to use some of the street for the gravel beds. In the above picture, about two feet of asphalt was torn out. This practice is pushing kids further toward the middle of the road.It is not comfortable to walk through the gravel, so people walk in the way of auto traffic. It sure ain't making Leucadia more walkable. It is making walking less desirable and dangerous.
You might not even have the opportunity to walk in the gravel. In the above picture it shows how the city tried to shove parking, drainage, utilities, and a walking path on top of each other. This particular gravel swale fills with weeds and makes the street look ghetto.
Why bother?
Does the city maintain these swales? Can anyone argue that this is good for property values? I've talked to a couple developers who don't think so and who would rather not do this crap (their description).
Here is a tale of two developers on Vulcan.
One developer put in a heartwarming gravel trap and the other put in a more finished look with curbs and a sidewalk. Two different approaches just down the street from each other.
Does this mean that developers have a choice? Ugly gravel that requires maintenance (Option A) or gutters and sidewalks (Option B)? I hope this is not what is going on, because it seems totally dumb. If the city is willing to allow all the hardscape of Option B, why not allow grass to the edge of the street (Option L)? Option L would result in less hardscape and allow way more percolation than Option B.
Another question. Why don't we see people in New Encinitas being forced to cut out their sidewalks out and put in gravel pits? Why does Leucadia get special treatment?
Here is a tale of two sides of one development.
On one street it is junkyard gravel and the other a nice gutter. The gutter moves the water quickly down the street and into the storm drain. Why no gravel pits here?
Then there are cases where the engineering goes right to the edge of the asphalt. No escape for kids on bikes and there is no reduction in drainage. Why no gravel pits here?
Why are some people forced to do gravel pits and not others?
Consider
Our town is still evolving and at this point we need to be careful to work up from our good qualities. Instead, the government is turning our cool qualities into blight.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)