Encinitas

The Encinitas City Council has lifted a building moratorium in the older part of Cardiff but imposed tougher height limits and setback rules on new construction until a General Plan is developed.

The council Monday night voted, 4-1, to impose a 22-foot height limit on new construction in an area west of Interstate 5, north of San Elijo Lagoon and south of Birmingham Drive, where 25-foot-wide lots are common. The height limit is measured from the downhill side of the terraced lots.

The old height limit had been 35 feet. Also, the council increased side yard setbacks from 5 feet to 7 feet, and front yard setbacks from 15 feet to 20 feet. The new limits will remain in effect until a General Plan is developed for the fledgling city, probably in 10 to 12 months, according to city officials.

Cardiff neighborhood activists had complained about a proliferation of wide and tall duplexes blocking the ocean views of other homeowners. The new limits, however, do not prevent developers from buying two 25-foot-wide lots and building duplexes, as long as the height and setback limits are followed.