ENCINITAS — City Council directed staff to craft an ordinance regulating surf schools and other businesses that utilize the city’s parks and beaches during its Aug. 20 meeting. The move was in response to numerous complaints about local beaches being overrun by surf school participants.

Chris Hazeltine, director of Parks and Recreation, reminded the council that it had directed staff during the annual goal setting session in January 2008 to review the city’s policies regarding commercial uses on parks and beaches.

Staff member Mike Stauffer noted a growing trend among cities in regulating use of commercial use of municipal grounds. He told the council that the increased restrictions in neighboring cities have driven commercial operators into Encinitas.

“Commercial operators are coming to Encinitas beaches because Encinitas beaches are the only ones without restrictions,” Stauffer said. Rules governing surf schools and camps exist in nearby Carlsbad and San Elijo state beaches as well as in San Diego and Del Mar. Solana Beach does not allow commercial use of its beaches.

Stauffer said the staff found 14 surf schools advertising operations on the city’s beaches. In addition, fitness classes, yoga instruction and personal training sessions take place regularly at area parks and beaches.

Stauffer offered three options for the council to consider. Under the first plan, each surf school would go through a bidding process with the city. Special operations permits for fitness and yoga classes would be available.

He estimated revenue of up to $80,000 to $160,000 per year from the associated permit fees. Those funds would be used for park and beach maintenance.

Councilwoman Maggie Houlihan said she wants to make sure the standards are clear to applicants. “We want high-quality programs,” Councilwoman Maggie Houlihan said after the meeting. “We are looking for lower-impact groups.”

Janine Daley, an Encinitas resident who operates a surf camp and fitness business, told the council that while she has a plethora of experience, she doesn’t have a very big business. “I don’t mind a permit of some kind,” Daley said. She cautioned the council against instituting a bidding process because it would negatively impact small businesses like hers.

Robbie Nelson, who operates Happy Barrel, a local surf school, said he supports some regulation at the city level as a means to “weed out the people who shouldn’t be in business.”

“The primary goal is to make sure that all of the people can enjoy the beaches,” Houlihan said. “We need to establish some criteria.”

The staff will present a range of recommendations to the council at a future meeting.