Encinitas residents will get a chance to weigh in on a proposed ordinance that would require traffic studies for new development projects, the latest city response to a string of fatal pedestrian crashes that have killed three young people since 2023.
The City Council will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 6 p.m. at City Council Chambers, 505 S. Vulcan Ave., to introduce Ordinance No. 2026-11, according to a city public notice. The measure would amend Chapters 23.36 and 23.08 of the municipal code to establish local traffic study requirements, create development project review procedures, authorize the city traffic engineer to review and approve those studies, and set up a framework for fair-share contributions toward transportation improvements.
The target: new development and its road impacts.
If adopted, the ordinance would give City Traffic Engineer Abe Bandegan authority to require and approve traffic studies when projects are proposed, and to mandate transportation improvements or fair-share payments from developers whose projects increase traffic burdens on surrounding streets.
The ordinance comes after months of pressure from Safe Streets Encinitas, the advocacy group co-founded by Bridget and John Chalekian after their 12-year-old daughter Emery was killed in a crosswalk on Encinitas Boulevard in April 2025. Two other children have died on city streets: 15-year-old Brodee Champlain-Kingman, struck while riding his e-bike at South El Camino Real and Santa Fe Avenue in June 2023, and 17-year-old Fin Fadick, killed crossing El Camino del Norte in Olivenhain on July 10.
Safe Streets Encinitas founding member Laura Van Dusen said at a July 21 rally that "the city holds a portion of the responsibility to do everything they can to make sure it doesn't happen again," according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.
The city has spent nearly $20 million a year in recent years on roadway safety measures, including lowered speed limits, improved bicycle and pedestrian facilities, changed traffic signal timing, two new traffic enforcement deputies and partnerships with school districts for additional crossing guards, according to inewsource.
The council held a special traffic safety session on Aug. 25 to hear public comments on road conditions. Mayor Bruce Ehlers said ahead of that meeting that it was meant to "get the facts out there" and create space for "an open, honest discussion," the Union-Tribune reported.
The full ordinance text will be posted on the city's website by Friday, Sept. 4, as part of the Sept. 9 agenda packet. Instructions for submitting public comments by email or during the meeting will be included. If adopted, the ordinance takes effect no sooner than 30 days after the council vote. Residents can contact Bandegan at 760-633-2770 or [email protected] with questions.
