HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-04-02; Planning Commission; MinutesPLANNING COMMISSION
Minutes
April 2, 2025, 5 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER: 5 p.m.
Council Chamber
1200 Carlsbad Village Drive
Carlsbad, CA 92008
ROLL CALL: Merz, Foster, Hubinger, Meenes (Burrows, Lafferty, Stine -Absent)
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Chair Meenes led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes of the Regular Meeting held on Feb 5, 2025.
Motion by Commissioner Foster, seconded by Commissioner Hubinger to approve the minutes
as presented. Motion carried 3/0/1/3. (Merz -Abstain; Burrows, Lafferty, Stine -Absent)
PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
PUBLIC HEARING:
1. THE ROOSEVELT -SOP 2024-0001 (DEV2024-0014) -A resolution of the Planning
Commission recommending approval of Site Development Plan, SOP 2024-0001, to
demolish an existing commercial structure and construct a four-story mixed-use structure
consisting of 5,406 square feet of commercial space, 23 multiple-family residential
apartment units within, and 24 covered parking spaces on a 0.46-acre property located at
2621 Roosevelt St. in the Northwest quadrant of the city, the Village & Barrio Master Plan,
and Local Facilities Management Zone 1.
ACTION TYPE: Quasi-Judicial
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Take public input, close the public hearing,
and adopt the resolution.
PLANNER: Kyle Van Leeuwen ENGINEER: Nichole Fine
Chair Meenes opened the duly noticed public hearing at 5:05 p.m.
Assistant Director of Community Development asked the Applicant if they would like to continue
the item since three of the seven commissioners are not present or wait for the item to be
considered by the full commission. The Applicant representative, Brendan Foote, indicated that
they would like to continue the item regardless.
Assistant Director of Community Development, Mike Strong introduced Senior Planner, Kyle Van
Leeuwen, who reviewed a PowerPoint on the Item. (On file in the Office of the City Clerk)
Mr. Strong added that this is the first project to be considered by the Planning Commission that
is subject to the new California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) procedures that includes a
clearance determination for an exemption. Mr. Strong noted that if Commissioners have
questions, staff are available to assist.
Commissioner Meenes requested Ex Parte from the Commissioners. Commissioner Merz
indicated that he has visited the site and that he is acquainted with the Applicant through his
work in commercial real estate. Commissioner Foster indicated that he is familiar with the site
and is familiar with the applicant but does not know them. Commissioner Hubinger and Chair
Meenes expressed that they are familiar with the site.
April 2, 2025 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Page 2
Project applicant and Managing Principal of Fabric Investments, Brendan Foote, conducted a
PowerPoint presentation.
Chair Meenes opened the public testimony at 5:26 p.m.
Resident Lori Robbin requested the applicant review their color choices so that they are more
aligned with the current Carlsbad Village color scheme.
Resident Craig Royal indicated his concern regarding the lack of parking in the Carlsbad Village.
Seeing no one else wishing to speak on this item, Chair Meenes closed the public testimony at
5:32p.m.
In response to Commissioner Foster's inquiry, Senior Planner, Kyle Van Leeuwen explained that
mixed use projects that have at least two thirds of their square footage for residential units, they
qualify as a housing project so multiple waivers and concession incentives can be applied to it.
Mr. Van Leeuwen added that the City's Village and Bario Master Plan (VBMP) requires 25
residential parking spaces and 21 Commercial parking spaces; staff has verified that the
applicant's parking concession request to only provide residential parking of 24 parking spaces is
valid since they employ legal waivers and incentives allowing the reduction is spaces.
Assistant Director of Community Development, Mike Strong, further clarified that Assembly Bill
2097 (AB2097) and Density Bonus Law limit the discretion of the city from imposing minimum
parking requirements. Mr. Strong added that the city completes a parking survey on an annual
basis to evaluate the parking supply in the downtown area. In the long term, the results of the
annual parking surveys could inform future decisions regarding overall parking and its policies in
the Carlsbad Village.
Commissioner discussion ensued.
Motion by Commissioner Foster, to adopt Resolution 7540 recommending to City Council that
this project is exempt from CEQA and approving this project's Site Development Plan, seconded
by Commissioner Merz. Motion carried, 4/0/0/3. (Burrows, Lafferty, Stine -Absent)
Chair Meenes closed the duly noticed public hearing at 6:04 p.m.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS: None.
COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTARY AND REQUESTS FOR CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS:
This portion of the agenda is for the Commission to make brief announcements, brief reports of
their activities and requests for future agenda items. None.
STAFF COMMENTS: Assistant Director of Community Development, Mike Strong remarked that
the next Meeting Scheduled for April 16, 2025, is canceled.
ADJOURNMENT: 6:07 p.m.