An 87-unit condominium building will rise on a vacant stretch of El Camino Real after the Encinitas Planning Commission voted 3-1 on Friday, Aug. 21, to grant the project its final permit.

The four-story Camino Condo project, proposed by Brian Grover of Nolen Communities, would fill a 1.93-acre site north of Garden View Road, between a plant nursery and an office building in the New Encinitas community. The commission's design review permit is the last discretionary approval required; the project does not need City Council sign-off.

Commissioner Michael Quinn cast the lone dissenting vote, citing added traffic on El Camino Real, the design of the project's entrance and the amount of on-site parking. Commissioner Steve Dalton recused himself due to a conflict of interest.

"It's not a bad place to put a large development," Commissioner Bridget Kimball said during the hearing.

Kimball also proposed a new condition barring short-term rentals on the units, expressing concern that condo owners might convert them into second homes or vacation rentals rather than primary residences.

The commission adopted the restriction.

Commissioner Brent Whittaker said the condominiums would add diversity to what is now a long stretch of commercial businesses along El Camino Real.

Second try for the site

This marks the second time in three years the commission has approved development plans for the parcel. City principal planner Denise Russell told commissioners the new plans are virtually identical to a 2024 proposal for rental apartments on the same site. That earlier project was abandoned because the developer was unable to secure funding for rentals, according to a city staff report. Nolen Communities pivoted to for-sale condominiums instead.

What's in the building

Plans call for six studio units, 42 one-bedroom units and 39 two-bedroom units, with 108 on-site parking spots, a pool, fitness areas and a resident lounge. Nine of the 87 units will be reserved for very low-income families, defined as households earning 50% or less of the San Diego County area median income of $130,900, roughly $70,000 for a family of two, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported.

The site is zoned General Commercial with a Residential 30 Overlay and is identified in the city's Housing Element as Site 06a. A state density bonus allows the project to exceed the site's base allocation of 31 units. The project is exempt from California Environmental Quality Act review under a provision for qualified urban infill housing.

What happens next

Residents who oppose the approval may file an appeal by 5 p.m. on the 10th calendar day following the determination. The city's staff contact for the project is principal planner Denise Russell at (760) 633-2716.