Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Zona Gale Estates project?
The project is a proposed nine-lot residential subdivision on an approximately 2.6-acre site located northwest of the intersection of Zona Gale Road and Via Cantebria. The development includes the construction of nine single-family homes, an upgraded trail, a biofiltration basin, landscaping, and associated infrastructure such as a paved road, private driveways, and a new sewer pipeline.
The property is zoned residential and the developer has purposefully designed this project to protect and enhance the area by dedicating significant resources, recording a permanent conservation easement over the adjacent acreage of roughly two acres and implementing a long-term Preserve Management Plan (PMP). This collaborative approach ensures the community gains a professionally managed ecological preserve creating a lasting environmental win for the community.
Who is the developer?
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Aspen Growth Properties has a long history of community-centered projects throughout the City of Encinitas and the County of San Diego. JR Rodrigue serves as the project lead. He has raised his family locally in Olivenhain and has a long history of volunteerism and stewardship in the City of Encinitas.
What is the history of this project and what is the current status?
The Zona Gale Estates project represents a multi-year planning effort that has evolved through extensive collaboration with City staff, technical experts, and community members since 2019. After nearly seven years we remain committed to engaging our community to seek input as we move forward with the city’s planning department.
What types of homes are being built?
Nine detached single-family homes each with unique architecture styles. Homes range in size from 3,000 and 4,000 square feet on lots approximately 5,000 to 12,000 square feet. One home will be sold as very affordable.
How will the project impact local wildlife and plants?
We have done several biological studies to determine any impacts to the natural surroundings, with the most recent studies completed in 2025. These focused surveys for coastal California gnatcatcher and Crotch’s bumble bee resulted in no detection. Several sensitive plant species were also mapped, and impacts will be mitigated as necessary.
How specifically will you mitigate these impacts?
Protecting sensitive habitat and species has been a priority throughout project planning, and the project incorporates multiple layers of mitigation developed in coordination with regulatory agencies and environmental specialists. Mitigation for sensitive wildlife and plant species will be carried out in several ways, including:
Mitigation Bank: The project will purchase three acres of mitigation credits from Carlsbad Oaks Conservation Bank at a 2:1 ratio (there are no mitigation banks in the City of Encinitas).
Mitigation and Monitoring Plan (MMP) that includes translocation and new plantings for rare species at a minimum of 1:1
Recording a conservation easement to protect mitigation areas in perpetuity on an additional 1.97 acres that is being purchased from OMWD.
Seasonal restrictions on construction activities to protect nesting birds.
We are also intentionally designing our project to meet Wildlife Prepared Home standards.
Will this project be utilizing density bonus?
Yes. The benefit of Density Bonus is that it allows us to designate one single family home as affordable, and it further allows us to design a more comprehensive, attractive project that is responsive to community feedback.
The max density using 50% density bonus would be up to 12 homes, we are proposing only nine.
Are you requesting a density bonus parking waiver?
No, we are not requesting a density bonus parking waiver. This project exceeds the city’s parking requirement and will have plenty of parking for residents and guests.
Is the bluff stable?
Yes. A licensed geotechnical engineer conducted a stability survey and there are no concerns with the stability of the bluff either during construction or into the future.
How will the project and project construction affect traffic?
At the intersection from Zona Gale Road onto Via Cantebria, residents have expressed concerns about the steep grade of the road and the high traffic speeds. The driveway entrance will be built to City standards, and the intersection will meet all City sight requirements, meaning drivers will have a clear line of sight in both directions. Any plants or vegetation that block visibility will be trimmed and kept clear by the City and the HOA on an ongoing basis.
During the construction phase, we will restrict all construction traffic, staging and haul routes exclusively to Zona Gale Road, in accordance with City standards.
Will this project create a fire evacuation risk?
Public safety is always our primary focus. Zona Gale Estates has been carefully engineered to improve current infrastructure, including the stabilization and paving of Zona Gale Road to meet modern fire department access standards. Additionally, the project incorporates a comprehensive Fire and Brush Management plan, including a managed buffer to protect homes from fire risks without encroaching on sensitive natural habitat.
We are committed to working closely with City fire officials to ensure the infrastructure improvements enhance safety and accessibility for all residents.
Will stormwater and drainage be an issue?
No. The project will include a biofiltration basin and meet all the requirements to manage and maintain stormwater to prevent runoff.
Will the project impact existing trails and open space?
This project site is currently zoned for residential homes. However, we are committed to respecting the community’s historical use of the land for recreation while balancing the need for new housing. Our proposal is designed to preserve the area’s natural beauty by incorporating dedicated view corridors and a comprehensive landscaping strategy.
A central component of our commitment to the community is the long-term protection of the Focused Planning Area (FPA) to the north and east of the site. This purposeful preservation will ensure nearly two additional acres of land is preserved and managed in perpetuity. In addition, the trail that is currently used by the public will remain accessible and will be enhanced.
How will my views and privacy be maintained as a neighbor?
We are committed to preserving the character and privacy of the neighborhood. The project features strategic view corridors specifically designed to maintain the eastern vistas for Sandalwood Court residents. To ensure a respectful transition between properties, we are incorporating landscaping and fencing buffers along the perimeter. Additionally, the use of "down-light only" architectural lighting will protect against light spill and maintain our community's quiet, dark-sky atmosphere.
How will our schools be impacted?
A nine-unit neighborhood project is expected to add only a very small number of students while also contributing to school impact fees that directly help fund local classrooms and facilities.
This project is zoned for:
Park Dale Lane Elementary
Oak Crest Middle School
LCC High School
Hasn’t Encinitas already met their RHNA numbers?
Encinitas has made important progress toward its state housing goals, but the RHNA process looks at housing production over an entire multi-year cycle and across different income levels. Continuing to add thoughtfully designed homes helps the city maintain compliance, support local workforce needs, and ensure future generations can continue to live in the community.
Doesn’t the city need attainable and affordable housing, not estate homes with one affordable unit?
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We understand the community’s desire for more attainable and affordable housing — it’s an important priority for Encinitas. Projects like this help move that goal forward by adding new homes while also including a deed-restricted very low-income home for sale, not for rent.
How can neighbors stay informed?
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Project updates will be shared regularly through this dedicated website and via direct outreach to the surrounding residential community to ensure an open and transparent process.