HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-05-13; City Council; 08; California Coastal Commission’s suggested modifications to the Village & Barrio Objective Design StandardsCA Review CKM
Meeting Date: May 13, 2025
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Geoff Patnoe, City Manager
Staff Contact: Shelley Glennon, Associate Planner
shelley.glennon@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-2605
Subject: California Coastal Commission’s suggested modifications to the Village &
Barrio Objective Design Standards
District: District 1
Recommended Action
1) Hold a public hearing; and
2) Introduce an ordinance acknowledging receipt of and approving the California Coastal
Commission’s suggested modifications to the Local Coastal Program (Village & Barrio
Master Plan) for AMEND 2021-0008/LCPA 2023-0016 (Exhibit 1).
Executive Summary
The City Council approved on Aug. 29, 2023, objective design standards establishing the minimum
requirements for building design and layout for new multifamily housing and mixed-use
development projects in the area covered by the Village & Barrio Master Plan.
The new standards have been in effect since November 2023 for that portion of the Village &
Barrio Master Plan area located outside the Coastal Zone, which is about three-quarters of the
plan area.
For the standards to be applied in that portion of the plan area located within the Coastal Zone, an
amendment to the city’s Local Coastal Program must first be approved by the California Coastal
Commission. A Local Coastal Program amendment was included as part of the City Council’s action
on Aug. 29, 2023, and it was submitted for Coastal Commission consideration on
Oct. 31, 2023.
The California Coastal Commission subsequently considered the city’s proposed amendment and
approved the proposed design standards with minor modifications.
The City Council is being asked to consider and approve the California Coastal Commission’s
changes so that they can become effective. Adoption of the standards are a requirement in the
city’s adopted 2021-2029 Housing Element and, with this City Council action, the city will have
satisfied this requirement.
May 13, 2025 Item #8 Page 1 of 28
Explanation & Analysis
Background
Among other things, there are policies, programs and objectives within the city’s certified
2021-2029 Housing Element that require the city to transition away from land use regulations and
standards that are considered “subjective” and open to interpretation, to more “objective”
standards that involve no personal or subjective judgment or interpretation by city staff, public
officials or the public and are uniformly understood and applied. Specifically, the Housing
Element’s Program 1.11 requires the development of objective design standards for multifamily
housing and mixed-use projects.
To satisfy this requirement, the City Council on Aug. 29, 2023, approved amendments to the city’s
Village & Barrio Master Plan and Local Coastal Program adopting objective design standards. In
short, the amendments established new objective standards involving site design, building design,
and composition of mixed-use development. For more information regarding the standards, refer
to Exhibit 2.
For the new standards to be effective within the Coastal Zone, the California Coastal Commission
had to review and approve the city’s Local Coastal Program amendment.
Coastal Commission’s suggested modifications
The city submitted its Local Coastal Program amendment to the California Coastal Commission for
certification on Oct. 31, 2023. After review and consideration, the Coastal Commission approved
the amendment on Feb. 6, 2025, with certain modifications (Exhibit 5), as summarized below:
• Added objective language to lighting requirements that provides stricter standards for
projects adjacent to existing and proposed preserve areas within the Coastal Zone
• Added a new definition for the term “fully shielded,” consistent with other Coastal
Commission lighting standards elsewhere
• Added language clarifying that the new Village & Barrio objective design standards
(Appendix E to the Village & Barrio Master Plan) constitutes a part of the Local Coastal
Program and therefore any amendments to the Village & Barrio objective design standards
will require a Local Coastal Program amendment
Staff have reviewed and considered the modifications and recommend that the City Council adopt
the California Coastal Commission’s suggested modifications. If the City Council does not adopt the
Coastal Commission’s suggested modifications, Ordinance No. CS-458, the objective design
standards, will not become effective in the Coastal Zone. The Coastal Commission’s suggested
modifications are shown in strikeout/underlined format in Exhibit 4.
Housing Element and state restrictions
Each jurisdiction must identify specific programs in its housing element that will be implemented
over a planning period to implement the stated policies and achieve the stated goals and
objectives. The city’s adoption of the Housing Element on April 6, 2021, which includes Housing
Element Program 1.11 “Objective Design Standards,” and subsequent certification from the
California Department of Housing and Community Development requires the amendments
approved in Ordinance No. CS-458 (Exhibit 3).
May 13, 2025 Item #8 Page 2 of 28
The City Council may approve or deny the California Coastal Commission’s suggested
modifications; however, a denial will mean the original changes adopted by the City Council in
2023 will not go into effect in the Coastal Zone. Failure to have objective design standards in the
Coastal Zone means the city runs the risk of not meeting its Housing Element commitments and
complying with certain state housing laws.
Assembly Bill 72, which passed in 2017 and is reflected in California Government Code Section
65585, authorized the Department of Housing and Community Development to review “any action
or failure to act” by a city that it determines “inconsistent” with the city’s adopted housing
element or California Government Code Section 65583 (part of the Housing Element Law),
including any failure to implement any programs included in the jurisdiction’s housing element. If
the Department of Housing and Community Development determines that the city’s action or
failure to act does not “substantially comply” with the state Housing Element Law, or the city’s
adopted Housing Element as certified by the state, then the department may revoke that
certification until it determines that the city has come into compliance.
Fiscal Analysis
There is no anticipated fiscal impact from this action.
Next Steps
Staff will present the ordinance for a second reading and the City Council’s approval at the next
City Council meeting. Staff will then submit evidence to the California Coastal Commission that the
suggested modifications were received and acted on by the City Council.
At the next regularly scheduled Coastal Commission hearing, the Executive Director of the Coastal
Commission is to report the commission’s determination that the suggested modifications have
been implemented. The amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and Local Coastal Program
amendments, as approved by Ordinance No. CS-458 and amended by the suggested modifications,
will become effective immediately after the Executive Director’s report to the Coastal Commission.
Environmental Evaluation
Prior to final action by the decision-making body on the project, an environmental determination
shall be made by the appropriate decision-makers as part of the approval action to ensure agency
compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Staff have reviewed the scope of
the project and determined the proposed action to make minor modifications to existing objective
standards within the Village & Barrio Master Plan, is exempt from environmental review under
CEQA Guidelines Sections 15061(b)(3) and 15378(b)(5) as it can be seen with certainty that there is
no possibility the proposed action may have a significant effect on the environment. A draft Notice
of Exemption is included as Exhibit 5. This must be reviewed and considered prior to approval of
the project. The draft Notice of Exemption demonstrates that the project qualifies for the
exemption.
Exhibits
1. City Council ordinance
2. City Council staff report, dated Aug. 29, 2023 (on file in the Office of the City Clerk)
3. City Council Ordinance No. CS-458 (on file in the Office of the City Clerk)
4. Coastal Commission’s suggested modifications approval letter, dated March 21, 2025
5. Coastal Commission suggested modifications staff report, dated Feb. 26, 2025
6. Draft Notice of CEQA Exemption
May 13, 2025 Item #8 Page 3 of 28
Exhibit 1
ORDINANCE NO. CS-492
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD,
CALIFORNIA, ACKNOWLEDGING RECEIPT OF AND APPROVING THE
CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION’S SUGGESTED MODIFICATIONS TO THE
LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM (VILLAGE & BARRIO MASTER PLAN) FOR AMEND
2021-0008/LCPA 2023-0016
WHEREAS, on Sept. 12, 2023, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. CS-458, approving
AMEND 2021-0008/LCPA 2023-0016 – Village & Barrio Objective Design Standards Project; and
WHEREAS, the Village & Barrio Master Plan is the implementing ordinance of the Local Coastal
Program for the Village & Barrio Master Plan area, and therefore, an amendment to the Village & Barrio
Master Plan also constitutes an amendment to the Local Coastal Program; and
WHEREAS, the California Coastal Act requires California Coastal Commission certification of any
Local Coastal Program Amendment; and
WHEREAS, on March 13, 2025, the California Coastal Commission approved the city’s Local
Coastal Program Amendment (LCPA 2023-0016) with suggested modifications; and
WHEREAS, the California Coastal Commission’s approval of LCPA 2023-0016 will not become
effective until the Commission certifies that the city has amended its Local Coastal Program pursuant
to the Commission’s suggested modifications; and
WHEREAS, on May 13, 2025, the City Council held a duly noticed public hearing as prescribed
by law to consider the California Coastal Commission’s suggested modifications.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California, ordains as follows:
1. The above recitations are true and correct.
2.The proposed action to make minor modifications to existing objective standards within
the Village and Barrio Master Plan, is exempt from environmental review under CEQA
Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) and 15378(b)(5) as it can be seen with certainty that
there is no possibility the proposed action may have a significant effect on the
environment. The notice of exemption will be filed with the Recorder/County Clerk
within five days after project approval by the decision-making body.
3.Village & Barrio Master Plan Page 2-85 Section 2.8.3 (Area-Wide Standards) Subsection
E, is amended to add the following language at the end of the section:
7.Within the Coastal Zone, outdoor light fixtures, including pole lights, wall-
mounted lights and bollards shall be fully-shielded and downward-facing in order
to minimize glare and light trespass within and beyond the project site.
May 13, 2025 Item #8 Page 4 of 28
4.Village & Barrio Master Plan Page 6-1 Section 6.2.1 (Local Coastal Program), the
following paragraph is amended to read as follows:
For properties within the Coastal Zone (shown in Figure 2-1), the goals and policies in
Chapter 1, the use and development standards in Chapters 2 and 3, provisions on
managing parking and increasing mobility in Section 4.5.2, the administrative processes
of Chapter 6, and the definitions in Appendix A of this Master Plan, and the objective
design standards for multifamily and mixed-use development in Appendix E of this
Master Plan, together with CMC Chapters 15.12 – Stormwater Management and
Discharge Control, and 15.16 – Grading and Erosion Control, as well as those provisions
of the Zoning Ordinance not superseded herein, shall constitute the Local Coastal
Program for the Village and Barrio. If conflicts or discrepancies arise between the Local
Coastal Program and other policies, standards, or guidelines of the Master Plan, the
Local Coastal Program provisions shall be controlling.
5.Village & Barrio Master Plan Page A-2, Appendix A (Definitions) is amended to include
the following new defined term between the “Financial Institution” and “Laundromat”
definitions:
Fully-Shielded. A term describing a light that is constructed so that light rays directly
emitted by the fixture are projected below a horizontal plane running through the
lowest point on the fixture where light is emitted. Shielded shall mean that the light rays
are directed onto the site, and the light source (e.g., bulb, tube, etc.) is not visible
beyond the property boundary of the site of the light source.
EFFECTIVE DATE: This ordinance shall be effective either thirty days after its adoption, or upon
the date the Executive Director of the California Coastal Commission certifies that implementation of
LCPA 2023-0016 will be consistent with the Coastal Commission's approval of the Local Coastal Program
amendments with suggested modifications, whichever occurs later. The City Clerk shall certify the
adoption of this ordinance and cause the full text of the ordinance or a summary of the ordinance
prepared by the City Attorney to be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation in the
City of Carlsbad within fifteen days after its adoption.
May 13, 2025 Item #8 Page 5 of 28
INTRODUCED AND FIRST READ at a Regular Meeting of the Carlsbad City Council on the 13th
day of May, 2025, and thereafter
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of
Carlsbad on the __ day of ________, 2025, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
_________________________________
CINDIE K. McMAHON, City Attorney
_______________________________________
KEITH BLACKBURN, Mayor
_______________________________________
SHERRY FREISINGER, City Clerk
(SEAL)
May 13, 2025 Item #8 Page 6 of 28
Exhibit 2
City Council staff report, dated Aug. 29, 2023
(on file in the Office of the City Clerk)
May 13, 2025 Item #8 Page 7 of 28
Exhibit 3
City Council Ordinance No CS-458
(on file in the Office of the City Clerk)
May 13, 2025 Item #8 Page 8 of 28
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - NATURAL RESOURCES AGENCY GAVIN NEWSOM, GOVERNOR
CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION
SAN DIEGO DISTRICT OFFICE 7575 METROPOLITAN DRIVE, SUITE 103 SAN DIEGO, CA 92108-4402 VOICE (619) 767-2370 FAX (619) 767-2384
March 21, 2025 SENT VIA EMAIL ONLY
Shelley Glennon
City of Carlsbad
1635 Faraday Avenue
Carlsbad, CA 92008
Re: Certification of City of Carlsbad LCP Amendment No. LCP-6-CVR-23-0051-1
(Village and Barrio Master Plan Objective Design Standards)
Dear Ms. Glennon:
On March 13, 2025, the California Coastal Commission approved the above referenced amendment to the City of Carlsbad Local Coastal Program (LCP). The amendment involves amending the City’s Village and Barrio Master Plan, which functions as the
certified LCP Land Use Plan (LUP) and as part of the certified LCP Implementation Plan
for the Village and Barrio area. The intention of the amendment is to establish objective design standards for eligible multifamily housing and mixed-use development projects.
The Commission approved the LCP amendment with suggested modifications that
address habitat protection and incorporating the new Appendix E into the certified LCP.
The attached modifications contain the specific changes adopted by the Coastal Commission.
Before the amendment request can become effectively certified, the Executive Director
must determine that implementation of the approved amendment will be consistent with
the Commission’s certification order. This is necessary because the amendment was certified with suggested modifications.
In order for the Executive Director to make this determination, the local government must
formally acknowledge receipt of the Commission’s resolution of certification, including any
terms or suggested modifications; and take any formal action which is required to satisfy them, such as revised plan policies, rezonings or other ordinance revisions. This certification must also include production of new LCP Village and Barrio Master Plan demonstrating that the amendment, as approved by the Commission and accepted by the
City, will be incorporated into the City’s certified Local Coastal Program immediately upon
concurrence by the Commission of the Executive Director’s determination. The local government’s action must be completely consistent with the Commission’s certification order; if you are considering any change from what is presented in the attached suggested modifications, you should contact this office immediately.
Exhibit 4
May 13, 2025 Item #8 Page 9 of 28
March 21, 2025 Page 2
2
The Commission’s certification order remains valid for six months from the date of its action; therefore, it is necessary for the City of Carlsbad to take the necessary steps within six months. If you believe that the City of Carlsbad will need additional time, you may
request up to a one-year time extension but such an extension must be granted by the
Coastal Commission at a subsequent hearing. As soon as the necessary documentation is received in this office and accepted, the Executive Director will report his/her determination to the Commission at its next regularly scheduled public hearing. If you have any questions about the Commission’s action or this final certification procedure,
please contact our office. Thank you and the other staff members who worked on this
planning effort. We remain available to assist you and your staff in any way possible to continue the successful implementation of the local coastal program.
Sincerely,
For:
Kaitlin Carney
District Supervisor
May 13, 2025 Item #8 Page 10 of 28
Strikeout/Underline
California Coastal Commission’s Suggested Modifications
Village and Barrio Objective Design Standards (ZCA 2020-0003/LCPA 2020-0007)
1. Modify the Village and Barrio Master Plan Section 2.8.3 (Area-Wide Standards) Subsection E as
follows:
1. Provide exterior building lighting, particularly in commercial and high-pedestrian areas.
2. Design or select light fixtures that are architecturally compatible with the building.
3. Integrate light fixtures that are downcast or low cut-off fixtures to prevent glare and light
pollution.
4. Design lighting in such a way as to prevent the direct view of the light source from adjacent
properties or uses, particularly residential properties or uses.
5. Utilize lighting on architectural details, focal points, and parking areas to increase safety, help
with orientation, and highlight site attributes and the identity of an area.
6. Use energy-efficient lamps such as LED lights for all exterior lighting along with adaptive
lighting controls to contribute to energy conservation and potentially reduce long-term costs.
7. Within the Coastal Zone, outdoor light fixtures, including pole lights, wall-mounted lights and
bollards shall be fully-shielded and downward-facing in order to minimize glare and light
trespass within and beyond the project site.
2. Modify the Village and Barrio Master Plan Section 6.2.1 (Local Coastal Program) as follows:
For properties within the Coastal Zone (shown in Figure 2-1), the goals and policies in Chapter 1, the
use and development standards in Chapters 2 and 3, provisions on managing parking and increasing
mobility in Section 4.5.2, the administrative processes of Chapter 6, and the definitions in Appendix
A of this Master Plan, and the objective design standards for multifamily and mixed-use
development in Appendix E of this Master Plan, together with CMC Chapters 15.12 – Stormwater
Management and Discharge Control, and 15.16 – Grading and Erosion Control, as well as those
provisions of the Zoning Ordinance not superseded herein, shall constitute the Local Coastal
Program for the Village and Barrio. If conflicts or discrepancies arise between the Local Coastal
Program and other policies, standards, or guidelines of the Master Plan, the Local Coastal Program
provisions shall be controlling.
3. Modify the Village and Barrio Master Plan Appendix A (Definitions) by adding a new defined term
between “Financial Institution” and “Laundromat” defined terms as follows:
Fully-Shielded. A term describing a light that is constructed so that light rays directly emitted by
the fixture are projected below a horizontal plane running through the lowest point on the
fixture where light is emitted. Shielded shall mean that the light rays are directed onto the site,
and the light source (e.g., bulb, tube, etc.) is not visible beyond the property boundary of the
site of the light source.
May 13, 2025 Item #8 Page 11 of 28
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - NATURAL RESOURCES AGENCY GAVIN NEWSOM, GOVERNOR
CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION
SAN DIEGO DISTRICT OFFICE 7575 METROPOLITAN DRIVE, SUITE 103 SAN DIEGO, CA 92108-4402 VOICE (619) 767-2370 FAX (619) 767-2384 Th18a
Date: February 26, 2025
To: COMMISSIONERS AND INTERESTED PERSONS
From: KARL SCHWING, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, SAN DIEGO COAST DISTRICT KAITLIN CARNEY, DISTRICT SUPERVISOR, SAN DIEGO COAST DISTRICT CHELSEA JANDER, COASTAL PLANNER, SAN DIEGO COAST DISTRICT
Subject: STAFF RECOMMENDATION ON CITY OF CARLSBAD MAJOR AMENDMENT NO. LCP-6-CVR-23-0051-1 (Village and Barrio Objective Design Standards) for Commission Meeting of March 12-14, 2025
SYNOPSIS
The subject LCP land use plan and implementation plan amendment was submitted and filed as complete on January 3, 2024. A one-year time extension was granted on March
14, 2024. As such, the last date for Commission action on this item is May 13, 2025. This
amendment affects the City’s certified Land Use Plan and Implementation Plan.
The subject request was submitted with LCP Amendment No. LCP-6-CAR-23-0048-1, which relates to zoning code updates regarding accessory dwelling units and was certified as submitted on February 6, 2025; LCP Amendment No. LCP-6- CAR-23-0049-1, which
relates to updating the zoning code regarding alternative and temporary housing and was
certified as submitted on September 12, 2024; and LCP Amendment No. LCP-6-CAR-23-0050-1, which relates to modifying the zoning code to include citywide objective design standards and was approved with modifications on February 6, 2025.
SUMMARY OF AMENDMENT REQUEST
The City of Carlsbad is requesting an amendment to the City’s Village and Barrio Master Plan, which functions as the certified LCP Land Use Plan (LUP) and as part of the certified LCP Implementation Plan for the Village and Barrio area. The intention of the amendment is to establish objective design standards for eligible multifamily housing and mixed-use
development projects. Specifically, the proposed amendment creates a new appendix
within the certified City’s IP (Appendix E: Objective Design Standards for Multifamily and Mixed-Use Development – Streamlined Permit Processing) to establish objective design standards for eligible projects, and the LUP is modified to support the establishment of these standards through references.
Exhibit 5
May 13, 2025 Item #8 Page 12 of 28
LCP-6-CVR-23-0051-1 (Village and Barrio Objective Design Standards)
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Various state housing laws, including the Housing Accountability Act (Government Code
Section 65589.5) and Streamlined Ministerial Approval Process (SB 423 (Wiener, 2023), Government Code Section 65913.4), require that qualifying housing projects be subject only to objective design standards. To comply with state law, the proposed amendment establishes objective design standards for multiple-unit and mixed-use housing projects,
where state housing law restricts City review of eligible projects to objective standards.
The proposed changes related to objective design standards are intended to encourage multifamily and mixed-use housing production by creating clear standards applicable to all such projects by quantifying and standardizing some of the existing subjective requirements within the certified LCP. The proposed LUP amendment includes references
to the new appendix, which orients the public on where to find the objective design
standards. The proposed IP amendment, which consists of the addition of the new Appendix E, specifies objective, including numeric, standards for various site planning topics, including required landscaping, parking screening, building materials, roof form, public and active frontages, and similar design requirements for multifamily and mixed-use
residential structures.
The intent is to have the existing subjective standards the City typically uses to evaluate projects become objective ones, for which the goal is to make as many design standards as possible more readily discernible to developers and the general public, which would in
turn help facilitate more streamlined review and processing. The City undertook a similar
effort for the areas of the city outside of the Village and Barrio, and that LCPA was conditionally certified with suggested modifications in February 2025 (LCP-6-CAR-23-0050-1 Citywide Objective Design Standards).
SUMMARY OF STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff is recommending denial of the Land Use Plan (LUP) amendment as submitted, and staff is recommending certification of the LUP as modified through suggested modifications. In addition, staff is recommending denial of the Implementation Plan (IP) amendment as submitted, and staff is recommending certification of the IP as modified
through suggested modifications.
The Commission may reject LUP amendments only if the amendment would be inconsistent with the Coastal Act. As proposed by the City, the amendment would create a new appendix within the City’s certified IP (Appendix E: Objective Design Standards for Multifamily and Mixed-Use Development – Streamlined Permit Processing) to establish
objective design standards for eligible projects, and the LUP would be modified to support
the establishment of these standards. As proposed, there are no changes to the substantive LUP policies. The proposed revisions to the Village and Barrio Master Plan (LUP) do not change the allowable use of any coastal zone property, any land uses, or the resource protection regulations of the City. However, the certified LUP does not include
adequate objective lighting requirements, which could lead to impacts on natural resources
or habitat disruption through spillover lighting. The proposed LUP amendment creates the
May 13, 2025 Item #8 Page 13 of 28
LCP-6-CVR-23-0051-1 (Village and Barrio Objective Design Standards)
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potential to adversely impact coastal resources and therefore is inconsistent with the
certified LUP and the Coastal Act due to its existing lighting policies that strive to protect
habitat within the Coastal Zone. The Commission may reject IP amendments only if the amendment would be inconsistent with the certified Land Use Plan (LUP) or render the IP inadequate to carry out the LUP.
As proposed by the City, the amendment would specify objective standards, including
numeric, standards for various site planning topics, including required landscaping, parking screening, building materials, roof form, public and active frontages, and similar design requirements for multifamily and mixed-use residential structures. As proposed, the IP amendment includes objective implementing standards for many of the LUP requirements,
but it does not include objective standards for lighting, including it does not have a
definition for “fully shielded.” Therefore, the proposed IP amendment creates the potential to adversely impact coastal resources and is inconsistent with the certified LUP due to lighting policies that strive to protect habitat within the Coastal Zone.
As such, staff are recommending the following suggested modifications. Suggested
Modification #1 modifies the Area-Wide Standards of the LUP to require fully-shielded
lighting for development projects within the Coastal Zone. This modification will be consistent with the certified subjective lighting policy within the LUP, and will make it an objective standard that is also consistent with the Coastal Act. In addition, Suggested Modification #3 modifies Appendix A: Definitions to include an objective definition of fully-
shielded lighting. This modification will be consistent with the existing lighting policy within
the LUP, as well as the modifications proposed to be added, and is necessary to provide an objective standard for projects that are potentially eligible for the streamlined ministerial approval process to prevent adverse impacts on sensitive coastal resources.
In sum, the amendment should provide guidance in a manner that respects and protects
coastal resources while ensuring consistency with other state laws intended to encourage
and promote the creation of affordable housing. As modified, the proposed amendment is consistent with and adequate to carry out the Coastal Act and the certified Land Use Plan (LUP), the standards of review for this IP amendment. Therefore, staff recommends that the Commission approves the amendment with the suggested modifications below. The
City has indicated it is in agreement with staff recommendations including the suggested
modifications
The appropriate motions and resolutions begin on page 7. The suggested modifications begin on page 9. The findings for denial of the Land Use Plan Amendment as submitted begin on page 13. The findings for approval of the plan, if modified, begin on page 13. The
findings for denial of the Implementation Plan Amendment as submitted begin on page 15. The findings for approval of the plan, if modified, begin on page 15.
BACKGROUND
There are six geographic segments in the City’s LCP. The City’s LCP has a unique history
in that special legislation directed the Commission to draft the initial LCP. One segment,
the Village Redevelopment Area LCP, was certified in 1988 and the City has been issuing
May 13, 2025 Item #8 Page 14 of 28
LCP-6-CVR-23-0051-1 (Village and Barrio Objective Design Standards)
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coastal development permits there since that time. For the same area, the Village and
Barrio Master Plan is a combination Land Use Plan and Implementation Plan document for
the Village-Barrio LCP segment that was certified in April 2019. On October 21, 1997, the City assumed permit jurisdiction and has been issuing coastal development permits for all of the remaining segments, except Agua Hedionda. The Agua Hedionda Lagoon LCP segment is a deferred certification area until an implementation plan for that segment is
certified.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Further information on the City of Carlsbad LCP amendment LCP-6-CVR-23-0051-1 may be obtained from Chelsea Jander, Coastal Planner, at (619) 767-2370 or
SanDiegoCoast@coastal.ca.gov.
May 13, 2025 Item #8 Page 15 of 28
LCP-6-CVR-23-0051-1 (Village and Barrio Objective Design Standards)
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. OVERVIEW .............................................................................................. 6
A. LCP HISTORY ................................................................................................... 6 B. STANDARD OF REVIEW .................................................................................. 6 C. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ................................................................................. 6 II. MOTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS .............................................................. 7
III. SUGGESTED MODIFICATIONS .............................................................. 9
IV. FINDINGS FOR DENIAL OF CERTIFICATION OF THE CITY OF
CARLSBAD LAND USE PLAN AMENDMENT, AS SUBMITTED, AND
APPROVAL IF MODIFIED ..................................................................... 10
A. AMENDMENT DESCRIPTION ........................................................................ 10 B. CONFORMANCE WITH SECTION 30001.5 OF THE COASTAL ACT ............. 12 C. CONFORMITY OF THE CARLSAD LAND USE PLAN WITH CHAPTER 3 ...... 12 V. FINDINGS FOR REJECTION OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD IMPLEMENTATION PLAN AMENDMENT, AS SUBMITTED, AND APPROVAL IF MODIFIED ..................................................................... 14
A. AMENDMENT DESCRIPTION ........................................................................ 14
B. CONFORMANCE WITH THE CERTIFIED LAND USE PLAN .......................... 14 VI. CONSISTENCY WITH THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) ........................................................................................... 16
EXHIBITS
Exhibit 1 – Location Map Exhibit 2 – Proposed Amendment
Exhibit 3 – City Council Resolution and Ordinance
May 13, 2025 Item #8 Page 16 of 28
LCP-6-CVR-23-0051-1 (Village and Barrio Objective Design Standards)
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I. OVERVIEW
A. LCP HISTORY The City of Carlsbad’s certified LCP contains six geographic segments as follows: Agua
Hedionda, Mello I, Mello II, West Batiquitos Lagoon/Sammis Properties, East Batiquitos Lagoon/Hunt Properties, and Village-Barrio. Pursuant to Sections 30170(f) and 30171 of the Public Resources Code, the Coastal Commission prepared and approved two portions of the LCP, the Mello I and II segments in 1980 and 1981, respectively. The West Batiquitos Lagoon/Sammis Properties segment was certified in 1985. The East Batiquitos
Lagoon/Hunt Properties segment was certified in 1988. The Village Redevelopment Area LCP was certified in 1988; the City has been issuing coastal development permits there since that time. The Village LCP segment was expanded and renamed the Village-Barrio in 2019. On October 21, 1997, the City assumed permit jurisdiction and has been issuing coastal development permits for all segments except Agua Hedionda. The Agua Hedionda
Lagoon LCP segment is a deferred certification area until an implementation plan for that segment is certified. This amendment modifies the Village Bario segment LUP and implementation plan.
B. STANDARD OF REVIEW
The standard of review for land use plans, or their amendments, is found in Section 30512 of the Coastal Act. This section requires the Commission to certify an LUP or LUP amendment if it finds that it meets the requirements of Chapter 3 of the Coastal Act. Specifically, it states:
Section 30512 (c) The Commission shall certify a land use plan, or any amendments thereto, if it finds that a land use plan meets the requirements of, and is in conformity with, the
policies of Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 30200). Except as provided in
paragraph (1) of subdivision (a), a decision to certify shall require a majority vote of the appointed membership of the Commission. Pursuant to Section 30513 of the Coastal Act, the Commission may only reject zoning
ordinances or other implementing actions, as well as their amendments, on the grounds
that they do not conform with, or are inadequate to carry out, the provisions of the certified land use plan. The Commission shall take action by a majority vote of the Commissioners present.
C. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
The City has held Planning Commission and City Council meetings with regard to the subject amendment request. All of those local hearings were duly noticed to the public. Notice of the subject amendment has been distributed to all known interested parties.
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II. MOTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS
Following a public hearing, staff recommends the Commission adopt the following resolutions and findings. The appropriate motion to introduce the resolution and a staff recommendation are provided just prior to each resolution.
1. MOTION: I move that the Commission certify the Land Use Plan Amendment No. LCP-6-CVR-23-0051-1 for the City of Carlsbad Village and Barrio Master Plan as submitted.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION OF DENIAL OF CERTIFICATION:
Staff recommends a NO vote on the motion. Failure of this motion will result in denial of the land use plan amendment as submitted and adoption of the following resolution and findings. The motion to certify as submitted passes only upon an affirmative vote of a
majority of the appointed Commissioners.
RESOLUTION TO DENY CERTIFICATION OF LAND USE PLAN AMENDMENT AS SUBMITTED:
The Commission hereby denies certification of the Land Use Plan Amendment for the City of Carlsbad Village and Barrio area as submitted and finds for the reasons
discussed below that the submitted Land Use Plan Amendment fails to meet the requirements of and does not conform to the policies of Chapter 3 of the California Coastal Act. Certification of the plan would not comply with the California Environmental Quality Act because there are feasible alternatives or mitigation measures that would substantially lessen any significant adverse impact which the
Land Use Plan Amendment may have on the environment.
2. MOTION: I move that the Commission certify the Land Use Plan Amendment for Land Use Plan Amendment No. LCP-6-CVR-23-0051-1 for the City of Carlsbad Village and
Barrio Master Plan as submitted if modified pursuant to the staff recommendation. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: CERTIFICATION IF MODIFIED AS SUGGESTED: Staff recommends a YES vote on the motion. Passage of the motion will result in
certification with suggested modifications of the submitted land use plan amendment and the adoption of the following resolution and findings. The motion passes only by an affirmative vote of a majority of the appointed Commissioners. 3. MOTION:
I move that the Commission reject the Implementation Program Amendment No. LCP-6-CVR-23-0051-1 for the City of Carlsbad Village and Barrio Master Plan as submitted.
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STAFF RECOMMENDATION OF REJECTION:
Staff recommends a YES vote. Passage of this motion will result in rejection of the Implementation Program and the adoption of the following resolution and findings. The motion passes only by an affirmative vote of a majority of the Commissioners present.
RESOLUTION TO DENY CERTIFICATION OF THE IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM AMENDMENT AS SUBMITTED:
The Commission hereby denies certification of the Implementation Program Amendment submitted for the City of Carlsbad Village and Barrio area and adopts the findings set forth below on grounds that the Implementation Program as submitted does not conform with, and is inadequate to carry out, the provisions of the certified Land Use Plan as amended. Certification of the Implementation
Program would not meet the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act as there are feasible alternatives and mitigation measures that would substantially lessen the significant adverse impacts on the environment that will result from certification of the Implementation Program as submitted.
4. MOTION:
I move that the Commission certify the Implementation Program Amendment No. LCP-6-CVR-23-0051-1 for the City of Carlsbad Village and Barrio Master Plan if it is modified pursuant to the staff recommendation.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends a YES vote. Passage of this motion will result in certification of the Implementation Program Amendment with suggested modifications and the adoption of the following resolution and findings. The motion passes only by an affirmative vote of a majority of the Commissioners present.
RESOLUTION TO CERTIFY THE IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM AMENDMENT WITH
SUGGESTED MODIFICATIONS:
The Commission hereby certifies the Implementation Program Amendment for the City of Carlsbad Village and Barrio area if modified as suggested and adopts the findings set forth below on grounds that the Implementation Program Amendment, with the suggested modifications, conforms with and is adequate to carry out the certified Land Use Plan as
amended. Certification of the Implementation Program Amendment if modified as suggested complies with the California Environmental Quality Act, because either 1) feasible mitigation measures and/or alternatives have been incorporated to substantially lessen any significant adverse effects of the Implementation Program Amendment on the environment, or 2) there are no further feasible alternatives and mitigation measures that
would substantially lessen any significant adverse impacts on the environment.
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III. SUGGESTED MODIFICATIONS
Staff recommends the following suggested revisions to the proposed Land Use Plan and Implementation Plan be adopted. The underlined sections represent language that the Commission suggests be added, and the struck-out sections represent language which the
Commission suggests be deleted from the language as originally submitted.
1. Modify LUP Section 2.8.3 (Area-Wide Standards) Subsection E as follows:
1. Provide exterior building lighting, particularly in commercial and high-pedestrian areas.
2. Design or select light fixtures that are architecturally compatible with the building.
3. Integrate light fixtures that are downcast or low cut-off fixtures to prevent glare and light pollution.
4. Design lighting in such a way as to prevent the direct view of the light source from adjacent properties or uses, particularly residential properties or uses.
5. Utilize lighting on architectural details, focal points, and parking areas to increase safety, help with orientation, and highlight site attributes and the identity of an area.
6. Use energy-efficient lamps such as LED lights for all exterior lighting along with adaptive lighting controls to contribute to energy conservation and potentially reduce long-term costs.
7. Within the Coastal Zone, outdoor light fixtures, including pole lights, wall-mounted lights and bollards shall be fully-shielded and downward-facing in order to minimize glare and light trespass within and beyond the project site.
2. Modify IP Section 6.2.1 (Local Coastal Program) as follows:
For properties within the Coastal Zone (shown in Figure 2-1), the goals and policies in Chapter 1, the use and development standards in Chapters 2 and 3, provisions on managing parking and increasing mobility in Section 4.5.2, the administrative processes of Chapter 6, and the definitions in Appendix A of this Master Plan, and the objective design standards for multifamily and mixed-use development in
Appendix E of this Master Plan, together with CMC Chapters 15.12 – Stormwater Management and Discharge Control, and 15.16 – Grading and Erosion Control, as well as those provisions of the Zoning Ordinance not superseded herein, shall constitute the Local Coastal Program for the Village and Barrio. If conflicts or discrepancies arise between the Local Coastal Program and other policies,
standards, or guidelines of the Master Plan, the Local Coastal Program provisions shall be controlling.
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3. Modify IP Section Appendix A (Definitions) as follows:
Fully-Shielded. A term describing a light that is constructed so that light rays directly emitted by the fixture are projected below a horizontal plane running through the lowest point on the fixture where light is emitted. Shielded shall mean that the light rays are directed onto the site, and the light source (e.g., bulb, tube, etc.) is not visible beyond the property boundary of the site of the light source.
IV. FINDINGS FOR DENIAL OF CERTIFICATION OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD LAND USE PLAN AMENDMENT, AS
SUBMITTED, AND APPROVAL IF MODIFIED
A. AMENDMENT DESCRIPTION The City of Carlsbad is requesting an amendment to the City’s Village and Barrio Master Plan, which functions as the certified LCP Land Use Plan (LUP) and part of the certified LCP Implementation Plan for the Village and Barrio area. The intention of the amendment
is to establish objective design standards for eligible multifamily housing and mixed-use development projects. Specifically, the proposed amendment creates a new appendix within the City’s certified IP (Appendix E: Objective Design Standards for Multifamily and Mixed-Use Development – Streamlined Permit Processing) to establish objective design standards for eligible projects, and the LUP is modified to support the establishment of
these standards. Various state housing laws, including the Housing Accountability Act (Government Code Section 65589.5) and Streamlined Ministerial Approval Process (SB 423 (Wiener, 2023), Government Code Section 65913.4), require that qualifying housing projects be subject
only to objective design standards. Objective design standards are typically measurable and demonstrable. Subjective design guidelines are typically open to interpretation and not technically measurable. The intent of objective design standards is to provide specific standards that will make clear to developers, design professionals, applicants, City staff, decisionmakers, and the public what will be used in the review of project submittals.
Among other criteria, eligibility for the streamlined ministerial approval process is determined if housing development projects meet the following criteria: propose a multifamily housing development that contains two or more residential units; provide at least 10%, 20%, or 50% of units as affordable for lower-income households, depending on
whether the jurisdiction has adopted a compliant housing element, the progress it has made on its portion of the regional housing needs allocation (RHNA), and whether the jurisdiction is located in the San Francisco Bay Area; be located on a site where at least 75% of the perimeter of the site adjoins parcels developed with “urban uses;” and meet certain labor and wage requirements. In addition, project sites must be located in an urban
area, outside of the Commission’s geographic appeal jurisdiction, in an area subject to a certified LCP or certified LUP, outside of areas vulnerable to five feet of sea level rise, in an area zoned for multifamily housing, not within 100 feet of a wetland, not on prime
May 13, 2025 Item #8 Page 21 of 28
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agricultural land, and outside of other statewide exclusion areas. Government Code
Section 65913.4 includes a variety of other statewide exclusion areas that apply both in
and outside of the coastal zone. Eligible projects generally cannot be located on a site that is within any of the following: a very high fire hazard severity zone; a hazardous waste site; within a delineated earthquake fault zone; within a FEMA special flood hazard area or regulatory floodway; lands identified for conservation in an adopted natural resource
protection plan; habitat for species protected under various provisions of federal or state
law; and lands under a conservation easement. To comply with state law, the proposed amendment establishes objective design standards for multiple-unit and mixed-use housing projects, where state housing law
restricts City review of eligible projects to objective standards. Specifically, these objective
design standards would apply to qualifying multiple-unit and mixed-use development, including such development that constitutes a “housing development project” under the Housing Accountability Act, supportive housing projects under AB 2162 (Chiu, 2018), low barrier navigation centers under AB 101 (Ting, 2019), and any other multiple-unit
residential or mixed-use development project for which the City may require compliance
with objective design standards under applicable state housing law. These objective design standards would not apply to single-family residences, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), or commercial and industrial projects without residential components.
The intent is to have the existing subjective standards the City typically uses to evaluate
projects become objective ones, for which the goal is to make as many design standards as possible more readily discernible to developers and the general public, which would in turn help facilitate more streamlined review and processing. Projects that fully utilize these objective design standards and meet the requirements in Government Code Section
65913.4 would then be eligible for streamlined review and not subject to a public hearing;
however, in the coastal zone, a coastal development permit would still be required when applicable and no changes to what requires a coastal development permit or this process are proposed.
The Village and Barrio Master Plan is a combination Land Use Plan and Implementation
Plan document for the Village-Barrio LCP segment. While the document itself does not differentiate between LUP and IP components, Commission staff have preliminarily identified that the LCP should be allocated as follows: the goals and policies of Chapter 1, the land use and development standards of Section 2.1 through 2.5 and 2.8 of Chapter 2,
and the provisions on managing parking and increasing mobility in Section 4.5.2 are to be
considered the Land Use Plan. The development standards of Section 2.6 and 2.7 of Chapter 2, the sign use and development standards of Chapter 3, the administrative processes of Chapter 6, the definitions in Appendix A of this Master Plan are to be considered the Implementation Plan, together with CMC Chapters 15.12 – Stormwater
Management and Discharge Control, and 15.16 – Grading and Erosion Control, as well as
those provisions of the Zoning Ordinance not superseded herein. Commission staff continues to work with City to formalize the allocation through a future LCPA.
The proposed LUP amendment includes references to the new design manual (Appendix E) throughout the various LUP chapters, which orients the public on where to find
clarification on objective design standards.
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Please see Exhibit 2 for the proposed amendment text.
B. CONFORMANCE WITH SECTION 30001.5 OF THE COASTAL ACT The Commission finds, pursuant to Section 30512.2b of the Coastal Act, that portions of the Land Use Plan as set forth in the preceding resolutions, are not in conformance with
the policies and requirements of Chapter 3 of the Coastal Act to the extent necessary to achieve the basic state goals specified in Section 30001.5 of the Coastal Act which states: The legislature further finds and declares that the basic goals of the state for the Coastal Zone are to:
a) Protect, maintain and, where feasible, enhance and restore the overall quality of the coastal zone environment and its natural and manmade resources. b) Assure orderly, balanced utilization and conservation of coastal zone resources
taking into account the social and economic needs of the people of the state. c) Maximize public access to and along the coast and maximize public recreational opportunities in the coastal zone consistent with sound resource conservation principles and constitutionally protected rights of private property owners.
(d) Assure priority for coastal-dependent and coastal-related development over other development on the coast. (e) Encourage state and local initiatives and cooperation in preparing procedures to
implement coordinated planning and development for mutually beneficial uses, including educational uses, in the coastal zone. The Commission therefore finds, for the specific reasons detailed below, that the land use plan does not conform with Chapter 3 of the Coastal Act or the goals of the state for the
coastal zone with regards to protecting, maintaining and, where feasible, enhancing and restoring the overall quality of the coastal zone environment and its natural and manmade resources.
C. CONFORMITY OF THE CARLSAD LAND USE PLAN WITH CHAPTER 3
The standard of review for LCP land use plan submittals or amendments is their consistency with and ability to carry out the provisions of Chapter 3 of the Coastal Act. As proposed, there are several sections within the VBMP that the Commission finds to be
inconsistent with policies contained in Chapter 3 of the Coastal Act.
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Section 30222 states:
The use of private lands suitable for visitor-serving commercial recreation facilities designed to enhance public opportunities for coastal recreation shall have priority over private residential, general industrial, or general commercial development, but not over agriculture or coastal-dependent industry.
Section 30240(a) states: (a) Environmentally sensitive habitat areas shall be protected against any significant disruption of habitat values, and only uses dependent on those resources shall be
allowed within those areas.
(b) Development in areas adjacent to environmentally sensitive habitat areas and parks and recreation areas shall be sited and designed to prevent impacts which would significantly degrade those areas, and shall be compatible with the continuance of
those habitat and recreation areas.
1. FINDINGS FOR DENIAL The proposed amendment to the LUP sections of the Village and Barrio Master Plan make references to the new appendix, orienting the public on where to find the new objective
design standards. As proposed, there are no changes to the substantive LUP policies. The proposed revisions to the Village and Barrio Master Plan (LUP) do not change the allowable use of any coastal zone property, any land uses, or the resource protection regulations of the City. However, the certified LUP does not include adequate objective lighting requirements, which could lead to impacts on natural resources or habitat
disruption through spillover lighting. The existing lighting policies located in the certified LUP could be considered subjective. The current LUP policies in Section 2.8.3(e) provide general guidance for lighting requirements such as integration of light fixtures that are downcast or low cut-off fixtures to prevent glare and light pollution, and to design lighting in such a way as to prevent the direct view of the light source. These existing standards are
found to be subjective, and therefore these standards would not apply for an eligible multifamily housing or mixed-use development project that qualifies for streamlined approval. The proposed LUP amendment creates the potential to adversely impact coastal resources and therefore is inconsistent with the certified LUP and the Coastal Act due to its existing lighting policies that strive to protect habitat within the Coastal Zone.
2. FINDINGS FOR APPROVAL IF MODIFIED
As written, the proposed amendment would not sufficiently protect natural resources and
habitat since the proposed amendment does not include objective design standards for lighting requirements. Therefore, Suggested Modification #1 modifies the Area-Wide Standards of the LUP to require fully-shielded lighting for development projects within the Coastal Zone. This modification will be consistent with the certified subjective lighting
policy within the LUP, and alsowill make it an objective standard. Therefore, as modified
and in conjunction with the other objective standards already present in the LUP, the
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proposed amendment will not result in an adverse coastal resource impacts. The
Commission thus finds the proposed amendment as modified is consistent with and
adequate to carry out the policies of Section 30222 and 30240(a) of the Coastal Act.
V. FINDINGS FOR REJECTION OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD
IMPLEMENTATION PLAN AMENDMENT, AS SUBMITTED, AND APPROVAL IF MODIFIED
A. AMENDMENT DESCRIPTION Similar to other LCPs, the City’s certified IP includes a set of objective site design
standards that all development must meet depending on the type of project and its zoning
designation and location, including design requirements for height, setback, floor area ratio, density, and parking. These objective standards are then augmented with a series of other more subjective ones, including overall aesthetics and performance standards for neighborhood compatibility and community design. The proposed amendment does not
change any existing objective IP standards related to design requirements, parking, or
setbacks, and it makes some of the subjective policies more objective with the goal of providing more certainty and clarity on how to effectively implement such requirements. The proposed amendment also includes objective standards for operational fixtures such as bicycle parking, which would promote multi-modal transportation.
The proposed amendment to the certified IP includes the addition of a new Appendix E: Objective Design Standards for Multifamily and Mixed-Use Development – Streamlined Permit Processing. The new appendix specifies objective, including numeric, standards for various site planning topics, including required landscaping, parking screening, building
materials, roof form, public and active frontages, and similar design requirements for
multifamily and mixed-use residential structures. For example, while the certified IP broadly regulates landscaping, the proposed amendment requires a landscape buffer of a minimum width of five feet between all ground-level restricted open spaces and pedestrian walkways. Similarly, with respect to building materials and other design techniques, the
proposed amendment specifies that the use of two or more accent materials (e.g., glass,
tile, brick, stone, concrete, or plaster) shall be incorporated to highlight building features. Please see Exhibit 2 for the proposed amendment text.
B. CONFORMANCE WITH THE CERTIFIED LAND USE PLAN The standard of review for LCP implementation plan submittals or amendments is their consistency with and ability to carry out the provisions of the certified LUP. The certified LUP has a number of goals and policies relevant to the proposed amendment; the most
applicable LUP standards are as follows:
May 13, 2025 Item #8 Page 25 of 28
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LUP Section 2.8.3 (Area-Wide Standards) Subsection E states, as suggested to be
modified:
1. Provide exterior building lighting, particularly in commercial and high-pedestrian areas.
2. Design or select light fixtures that are architecturally compatible with the building.
3. Integrate light fixtures that are downcast or low cut-off fixtures to prevent glare
and light pollution.
4. Design lighting in such a way as to prevent the direct view of the light source from adjacent properties or uses, particularly residential properties or uses.
5. Utilize lighting on architectural details, focal points, and parking areas to increase safety, help with orientation, and highlight site attributes and the identity of an area.
6. Use energy-efficient lamps such as LED lights for all exterior lighting along with
adaptive lighting controls to contribute to energy conservation and potentially reduce long-term costs. 7. Within the Coastal Zone, outdoor light fixtures, including pole lights, wall-mounted
lights and bollards shall be fully-shielded and downward-facing in order to minimize
glare and light trespass within and beyond the project site.
1. FINDINGS FOR DENIAL As proposed, the IP amendment (i.e., new Appendix E) includes objective implementing
standards for many of the LUP requirements, but it does not include objective standards for lighting, including it does not have a definition for “fully shielded.” Therefore, the proposed IP amendment creates the potential to adversely impact coastal resources and could be found inconsistent with the certified LUP due to its existing lighting policies that strive to protect habitat within the Coastal Zone.
In addition, Section 6.2.1 of the Master Plan lists the components that constitute the LCP for the Village and Barrio. While the City intended for the new Appendix E to be part of the LCP, this section was not updated to reflect the incorporation of the Appendix.
2. FINDINGS FOR APPROVAL IF MODIFIED
As proposed, the Appendix E would not be listed in Section 6.2.1 of the Master Plan, which lists the LCP components. This was an administrative error and the City inadvertently did not update the LCP language. Therefore, Suggested Modification #2 modifies the administrative processes of Chapter 6 and incorporates the new Appendix E: Objective
Design Standards for Multifamily and Mixed-Use Development – Streamlined Permit Processing into the LCP and corrects the administrative error. The suggested modification is critical for including these objective policies within the Coastal Zone.
May 13, 2025 Item #8 Page 26 of 28
LCP-6-CVR-23-0051-1 (Village and Barrio Objective Design Standards)
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In addition, Suggested Modification #3 modifies Appendix A: Definitions and includes an
objective definition of fully-shielded lighting. This modification will be consistent with the
existing lighting policy within the LUP, as well as the modifications proposed to be added, and is necessary to provide objective clarity for projects that are potentially eligible for the streamlined ministerial approval process to prevent adverse impacts on sensitive coastal resources.
Therefore, as modified and in conjunction with the other objective standards already
present in the LUP and IP, the proposed amendment will not result in an adverse coastal resource impacts. Through the inclusion of these suggested modifications, multifamily and mixed-use housing projects will be required to avoid significant coastal resource impacts. Thus, the modified language will enable these housing projects to be implemented in the
Coastal Zone while avoiding impacts to coastal resources and public access. In sum, the
IP amendment as modified will provide objective design standards, and in a manner that respects and protects coastal resources, and with an aim to encourage and facilitate affordable and diverse housing within the City. The Commission thus finds the proposed amendment as modified is consistent with and adequate to carry out the policies of Section
2.8.3(E) of the LUP.
VI. CONSISTENCY WITH THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY ACT (CEQA)
Section 21080.9 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exempts local
government from the requirement of preparing an environmental impact report (EIR) in
connection with its local coastal program. The Commission's LCP review and approval program has been found by the Resources Agency to be functionally equivalent to the EIR process. Thus, under CEQA Section 21080.5, the Commission is relieved of the responsibility to prepare an EIR for each LCP submission.
The City determined that the subject LCP amendment is exempt from environmental
review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) [no potential for causing a significant effect on the environment]. (Cal. Code of Regs., tit.14.) Nevertheless, the Commission is required in an LCP submittal or, as in this case, an LCP amendment submittal, to find that the LCP, or LCP, as amended, does conform with CEQA. As
modified, the proposed amendment would not result in an intensification of land uses
incompatible with the surrounding development or have adverse impacts on coastal resources. Further, the Commission finds that the proposed amendment is unlikely to have any significant adverse effect on the environment as a whole. Therefore, the Commission finds that the subject LCP Land Use Plan, as submitted, and the subject LCP
Implementation Plan, as amended, conforms to the provisions of CEQA.
May 13, 2025 Item #8 Page 27 of 28
NOTICE OF EXEMPTION
To: Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk From: CITY OF CARLSBAD
Attn: Fish and Wildlife Notices Planning Division
1600 Pacific Highway, Suite 260 1635 Faraday Avenue
San Diego CA 92101 Carlsbad, CA 92008
MS: A-33 (442) 339-2600
Subject: Filing of this Notice of Exemption is in compliance with Section 21152b of the Public Resources
Code (California Environmental Quality Act).
Project Number and Title: AMEND 2021-0008/LCPA 2023-0016 – COASTAL COMMISSION
MODIFICATIONS TO THE VILLAGE AND BARRIO OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS
Project Location - Specific: Village and Barrio Master Plan area – District 1
Project Location - City: Carlsbad Project Location - County: San Diego
Description of Project: To approve the California Coastal Commission’s suggested modifications to amend
the Local Coastal Program/Village & Barrio Master Plan by incorporating minor revisions and clarifications
for objective standards in the Village & Barrio Master Plan (CMC Section 21.88). This determination is
meant to cover the introduction and adoption of the ordinance.
Name of Public Agency Approving Project: City of Carlsbad
Name of Person or Agency Carrying Out Project: Shelley Glennon, Associate Planner
Name of Applicant: City of Carlsbad - Community Development Department - Planning Division
Applicant’s Address: 1635 Faraday Ave. Carlsbad, CA 92008
Applicant’s Telephone Number: 442-339-2605
Name of Applicant/Identity of person undertaking the project (if different from the applicant above):
N/A
Exempt Status: Article 5 Section 15061(b)(3) and Article 20 Section 15378(b)(5)
Reasons why project is exempt: The proposed action to make minor modifications to existing objective
standards within the Village & Barrio Master Plan, is exempt from environmental review under CEQA
Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) and 15378(b)(5) as it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility
the proposed action may have a significant effect on the environment.
Lead Agency Contact Person: Shelley Glennon Telephone: 442-339-2605
Eric Lardy, City Planner Date
Exhibit 6
May 13, 2025 Item #8 Page 28 of 28
Ana Alarcon
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Chuenwei Hsu <chuenweihsu@gmail.com>
Friday, May 9, 2025 5:25 PM
City Clerk
The coastal objective design standard
When I first chose to live in Carlsbad I was attracted by its small village charm.
All Receive -Agend. Item # i._
For the lnform.ition of the:
CITY COUNCIi, J
Date-v511iJi:s-q_J cc_/
er.,_~_BCIOl{S)..§_
It is nice to see a lot of new buildings up in coastal area, which we do need. However, it's also sad to see that the
Carlsbad Village lost its charm. Many of the new buildings look like logo blocks or low cost apartments buildings.
Hope the city may change its requirements on the building designs. The designs can be either traditional or modern but
with more characters.
Chuen-wei Hsu
CAUTION: Do not open attachments or click on links unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
1
TO: CITY CLERK
DATE OF PUBLIC HEARING:
AFFIDAVIT OF MAILING
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
LOCATION: IB".i:200 Carlsbad Village Drive. Carlsbad, CA 92008
D Other: ------------------
DATE POSTED TO CITY WEBSITE ~':\ <lb .,1,0i5
DATE NOTICES MAILED TO PROPERTY OWNERS: 01j-0l-W½
NUMBER MAILED:
I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that I am employed by
the City of Carlsbad and the foregoing is true and correct.
DEPARTMENT: [Bti"TY CLERK'S OFFICE □OTHER _______ _
Signatun! Date
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SENT TO FOR PUBLI CATION VIA E-MAIL TO: □ Union Tribune on ___ _
~ Coast News on ()lj:,2,6 .... ~
PUBLICATION DATE: Union Tribune --------------
Coast News t)S., b2"" l«Ylf:,
I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that I am employed by
the City of Carlsbad and the foregoing is true and correct.
DEPARTMENT: (iJ6TY CLERK'S OFFICE □OTHER _______ _
Attachments: 1) Mailing Labels
2) Notice w/ attachments
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to you, because your interest may be affected, that the City Council of the City
of Carlsbad will hold a public hearing at the Council Chamber, 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive, Carlsbad,
California, at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, to consider approving an ordinance acknowledging receipt
of and approving the California Coastal Commission's suggested modifications to the Local Coastal
Program (Village & Barrio Master Plan) for AMEND 2021-0008/LCPA 2023-0016, and more particularly
described as:
An ordinance of the City of Council of the City of Carlsbad, California, acknowledging
receipt of and approving the California Coastal Commission's suggested modifications to
the Local Coastal Program (Village and Barrio Master Plan) for AMEND 2021-0008/LCPA
2023-0016
Those persons wishing to speak on this proposal are cordially invited to attend the public hearing. Copies
of the staff report will be available on and after Friday, May 9, 2025. If you have any questions, please
contact Shelley Glennon in the Planning Division at (442) 339-2605 or shelley.glennon@carlsbadca.gov.
The meeting can be viewed online at https://www.carlsbadca.gov/city-hall/meetings-agendas or on the
city's cable channel. In addition, written comments may be submitted to the City Council at or prior to the
hearing via U.S. Mail to the attention of Office of the City Clerk, 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive, Carlsbad, CA
92008, or via email to clerk@carlsbadca.gov.
If you challenge the ordinance acknowledging receipt of and approving Coastal Commission's suggested
modifications to the Local Coastal Program (Village and Barrio Mater Plan) for AMEND 2021-0008/LCPA
2023-0016 in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the
public hearing described in this notice or in written correspondence delivered to the City of Carlsbad, Attn:
City Clerk's Office, 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008, at or prior to the public hearing.
CASE FILE: AMEND 2021-0008/LCPA 2023-0016 (DEV08014)
CASE NAME: Coastal Commission Modifications to Village and Barrio Master Plan Objective Design
Standards
PUBLISH: May 2, 2025
CITY OF CARLSBAD
CITY COUNCIL
CTIY OF CARLSBAD
NrfflCEQFPJTJU JC HEARING
N011C£ IS HEREBY GIVEN to yuu, becawle your intan:st may be affected, that the City
Council of the City af Carbbad will hold a public bearing at the Council Chamber, 1200 Carla-
bad Village Dme, Carlsbad, California. at 5 p.m. DD Tuesday, May 13, 2025, ta c:cnu,ider ap-
proving an ordiD.aDn acknowledging receipt of and appro'l'iog the Cdifomia Coutal Commis-
1ioo'• ruggat-.d modificztiom to the Local Coastal Prognm CVill• &: Barrio Master Plan) for
AMEND 2021-0008/LCPA 2023-0016, and mone particularly desmbed u:
An onmwx,o ot"tho City o{CouDQ] of !be at, of Carlabod, Califomio, ~
iDg,...;ptof■oc!apprvringtheC■lffi>nn■Coutalec,,,,m;,,;on\~modi!l
_, .. the Lo<o!Ccat■I Propm (Villqe and Barrio-Plaa)fur AMEND
2021--0000/LCPA2023-00!6
Th05t person.s wuhiug to speak o.o this proposal an cordially invited to attmd the publichear-i.DJ:. C-opies of the star report will be awilable on and after Friday, May 9, 2025. If you have any
questions, please contn.ct Shelley Glennon in the PlanniDg Division a.t (442) 339--2605 or .shel-
l . en.non ca:rlsbadca. ov. The muting can be ,ie'Wl!d online at hw,s:{/www.carlsba.de:a.
atv,-. m ~ or oa the city's c.able channel. 1n addition. "1,ntten coaiments
me,-subnritt to t e City Council at or prior to the hearing via U.S. MaD to the attention
of Office af the City Clffl(,, 1200 Carlsbad Vi1J.,.p Dme, Ca.rlsba.d, CA 92008, or Tia rmt.il to
cl<ri<@eulsbedca.lO"
If you challonp the on!iJwi<2 ecknow!adgu,& ncoipt al ■oc! appnmng Coutal Commission'•
,ugest,ci mucllliadioa, ID the Locol Couto! l'rognm (Villap ■oc! Barrio -Plan) for
AMl!ND2021-0008/LCPA2023-00!6lncourt.yoatn',)'bollmltzd1Dralllugooly-!asues
yon or ~e el9e rai.Jed at the public bea:riq described in tlu notice or in writtc. cone.
,pood,... cleli,.ffll to the City afcarlsbad. Attn, City Clerk\ Oflico, 1200 CU!lbod Y,llq,,
Drive, Cuubad, CA 92008, at or prl<1r to the public-hearing.
CASE FILE,
CASE NAME,
AMEND 20~1-0008/LCPA 2023--0016 (DBV08014)
Ccat■1 CoJmimtioD Modilia.ti°"" 1D Vi!l,p md B■rrio-l'wi
Objecti,e Dea;g,, Standarda
PUBIJSH: May 2, 202s
cm OP CARLSBAD
CITY COUNCIL
05/02/20~ Ol 30493
Shelley Glennon, Associate Planner
Community Development Department
May 13, 2025
Coastal Commission Suggested
Modifications: Village and Barrio
Objective Design Standards (ODS)
1
{ City of
Carlsbad
2
OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS
CITYWIDE
OBJECTIVE
DESIGN
STANDARDS
AGENDA ITEM 9
VILLAGE AND
BARRIO
OBJECTIVE
DESIGN
STANDARDS
AGENDA ITEM 8
Everything
outside of
Village &
Barrio
ITEM 8: COASTAL COMMISSION
MODIFICATIONS-VILLAGE & BARRIO ODS
p a C i f j
0 c ea n
j
D Village
-Barrio
EI®§
-•-• Village and Barrio Master Plan Area
-·-·-Coastal Zone Boundary
-0 500 1,000
VILLAGE & BARRIO OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS
3
•Objective Design Standards
•Measurable/Quantifiable
•Palette of Architectural Styles
•State/City Mandate and State Funding
•SB 35 and SB 330
•Housing Element Program 1.11
•LEAP Grant Funded
ITEM 8: COASTAL COMMISSION
MODIFICATIONS-VILLAGE & BARRIO ODS
{ City of
Carlsbad
COASTAL COMMISSION SUGGESTED
MODIFICATIONS
March 2025 – Coastal Commission approves project
contingent on suggested modifications:
•Adds reference to clarify Village and Barrio ODS are
part of Local Coastal Program (Section. 6.2.1)
•Adds one new lighting standard (Section 2.8.3.E)
•Adds one new lighting definition (App. A)
ITEM 8: COASTAL COMMISSION
MODIFICATIONS-VILLAGE & BARRIO ODS
4
{ City of
Carlsbad
ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
If modifications are not approved:
•Will not be effective in the Coastal Zone (remain
effective outside the Coastal Zone)
•Housing Element Program 1.11 “Objective Design
Standards” incomplete
ITEM 8: COASTAL COMMISSION
MODIFICATIONS-VILLAGE & BARRIO ODS
5
{ City of
Carlsbad
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Introduce an ordinance acknowledging receipt of
and approving the California Coastal Commission’s
suggested modifications to the Local Coastal
Program (Village and Barrio Master Plan) for
AMEND 2021-0008 & LCPA 2023-0016
ITEM 8: COASTAL COMMISSION
MODIFICATIONS-VILLAGE & BARRIO ODS
6
{ City of
Carlsbad