Encinitas OKs housing element contracts

The Encinitas City Council on March 30 unanimously approved contracts for companies that will take the lead on strategy, polling and legal services for the housing element, a blueprint for future growth in Encinitas.

That included awarding a $70,000 contract to the company Cerrell Associates, which will conduct a statistically valid telephone survey as well as hold focus groups to gather public opinion on the matter. This will assist the council in “determining community-supported solutions and includes creating educational materials,” according to a city staff report.

Previously, the city relied on an online platform called E-Town Hall for public engagement on the housing element, but the council scrapped the contract last year out of concern that the public comments weren’t representative of the community.

The council also agreed to retain the firm Nossaman LLP for navigating the various legal and procedural requirements for putting the housing element on the ballot. Headed to a public vote in November, the housing element proposes to rezone select city properties for higher density to make room for 1,300 units.