Planning commission approves Torrey Crest final map; residents urged repeat toxic-material testing

The Encinitas Planning Commission voted 5-0 to approve the Torrey Crest Density Bonus final map for recordation, a ministerial action that subdivides seven parcels into 30 residential lots with a private road, park, HOA lot and two stormwater management lots. Jaylee McDowell, principal engineer in the land development division, told commissioners that staff found the final map consistent with the commission’s tentatively approved 2024 map and that all tentative-map conditions had been satisfied.

Neighbors urged further transparency before recordation. A resident introduced at the hearing as Bernard Minster said he has not seen publicly available documentation that required repeat surveys for toxic materials were completed and asked the city to publish the same tables that were in the EIR. “I would like to see the same tables that were in the EIR done for this repeat survey,” Minster said, urging the commission to ensure the public can review remediation documentation.

McDowell described conversations with regulators and inspectors and said the regional water board’s letter recommended no further remediation based on site data and that the city’s inspector reported soil remediation had been completed. Commissioners noted that construction-related issues such as noise, dust and worker parking are managed through grading permits and the city’s inspection program. Because state law treats final map approval as ministerial when a tentative map was already approved, the commission’s review was limited to determining whether the final map was in substantial conformance with the tentative map.

Outcome and next steps: the commission approved the final map 5-0 and the map will be recorded. Residents who raised concerns were directed to the on-site inspector for construction-compliance questions and were advised how to file records requests if they still cannot locate documents.