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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-08-20; Planning Commission; MinutesPLANNING COMMISSION Minutes August 20, 2025, Sp.m. CALL TO ORDER: 5 p.m. ROLL CALL: Merz, Burrows, Lafferty, Foster, Hubinger, Meenes. Council Chamber 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive Carlsbad, CA 92008 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Burrows led the Pledge of Allegiance. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes of the Regular Meeting held Aug. 6, 2025. Motion by Commissioner Burrows, seconded by Commissioner Hubinger to approve the minutes as presented. Motion carried 5/0/1. (Lafferty -Abstain) PUBLIC COMMENT: Resident Mike Cartabiano spoke regarding an inquiry he has about ADUs, specifically one located in the Mystic Point Condominiums, where he resides. PUBLIC HEARING : 1. INNS OF AMERICA AMEND -2024-0008/CUP 2024-0009/PUD 2024-0009(DEV99017)-A Resolution of the Planning Commission of the City of Carlsbad, California, recommending approval of a CEQA Exemption determination, Coastal Development Permit Amendment, Conditional Use Permit, and Planned Development Permit to allow for the conversion of an existing three-story, 98-guest room hotel into a 98-unit multi-family dwelling on a 3.12-acre site located at 5010 Avenida Encinas, within the Mello II Segment of the Local Coastal Program and within local Facilities Management Zone 3. ACTION TYPE: Quasi-Judicial STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Take public input, close the public hearing, and adopt the Resolution. PLANNER: Lauren Yzaguirre ENGINEER: David Rick Chair Meenes opened the duly noticed public hearing on Item 1 at 5:07 p.m. In response to Chair Meenes' request for ex parte disclosures, Commissioners Burrows, Foster, Hubinger, and Meenes reported driving by the site. Commissioner Lafferty indicated she is familiar with the site, and Commissioner Merz reported that he visited the site . City Planner, Eric Lardy introduced Assistant Director of Community Development Mike Strong, who reviewed a PowerPoint presentation on the project. (on file in the Office of the City Clerk). In response to Commissioner Lafferty's inquiry, Assistant Director of Community Development Mike Strong clarified that the term 'no value' in the staff report refers to the site containing only August 20, 2025 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Page 2 non-native and ornamental vegetation, and that it has no value as habitat for endangered, rare, or threatened species. Mr. Strong emphasized it does not refer to the overall value of the land. In response to Chair Meenes request for clarification as to how this effects the City's overall Housing Element goals, Assistant Director of Community Development, Mike Strong, explained that the state requires each agency in California to report its annual housing production and this project is a Density Bonus project that helps the City maintain and meet its Housing Element and Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) goals. Applicant Representative, Jim McMenamin introduced Anna McPherson, from the Atlantis Group who reviewed a PowerPoint presentation on the project and both aforementioned individuals were available for questions. Chair Meenes opened the public testimony on Item 1 at 6:18 p.m. Seeing no one wishing to speak, Chair Meenes closed the public testimony on item 1 at 6:18 p.m. Commissioner discussion ensued. Motion by Commissioner Foster, seconded by Commissioner Hubinger to approve per staff's recommendation and to adopt Resolution 7548. Motion carried 6/0. Chair Meenes closed the duly noticed public hearing at 6:23 p.m. 2. YAMANAKA RESIDENCE -CDP2024-0033 (DEV2024-0066) - A Resolution of the Planning Commission of the City of Carlsbad, California, approving a CEQA Exemption Determination and a Coastal Development Permit to demolish an existing single-family residence and garage and construct a 3,940 square foot single-family residence and 640 square foot attached garage on a 0.2-acre site located at 5410 El Arbol Dr. Within the Mello II segment of the city's Local Coastal Program and Local Facilities Management Zone 3. ACTION TYPE: Quasi-Judicial STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Take public input, close the public hearing, and adopt the Resolution. PLANNER: Lauren Yzaguirre ENGINEER: Jose Sanchez Chair Meenes opened the duly noticed public hearing on Item 2 at 6:25 p.m. In response to Chair Meenes' request for ex parte disclosures, Commissioners Burrows, Foster, Hubinger, and Chair Meenes reported driving by the site. Commissioner Lafferty indicated she is familiar with the neighborhood, and Commissioner Merz reported that he visited the site City Planner, Eric Lardy introduced Assistant Director of Community Development Mike Strong, who reviewed a PowerPoint presentation on the project. (on file in the Office of the City Clerk). August 20, 2025 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Page 3 Applicant Representative, Andrew Carlos, from Carlos Architects, was available to respond to questions. In response to Commissioner Foster's request for a before and after photos of projects, Assistant Director of Community Development, Mike Strong agreed that staff could prepare backup slides of this nature for future projects to be shown upon request. Chair Meenes opened the public testimony on Item 2 at 6:38 p.m. Seeing no one wishing to speak, Chair Meenes closed the public testimony on Item 2 at 6:38 p.m. Commissioner discussion ensued. Motion by Commissioner Burrows, seconded by Commissioner Merz, to approve the project as recommended by staff and to adopt Resolution 7549. Motion carried 6/0. Chair Meenes closed the duly noticed public hearing at 6:41 p.m. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS: None. COMMISSION COMMENTARY AND REQUESTS FOR CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS: The Commissioners report on activities and meetings of some committees and subcommittees of which they are members. Chair Meenes, explained that the City Clerk's office recently sent a reminder to staff and commissioners via an email from the Planning Commission clerk, that requests for future items or items not on the agenda cannot be discussed at a meeting. Mr. Meenes added that discussing a non-agendized item requires a majority vote of the Commission for staff to take action After a discussion among Commissioners, Chair Meenes expressed his support for agendizing an in person, short training from the Clerk's office on the subjects of the Brown Act and Commission Commentary and Requests for Consideration of Matters. STAFF COMMENTS: City Planner, Eric Lardy explained that the Coastal Commission approved the Aura Circle Open Space General Plan Amendment as presented and the Housing Element Rezone Plan Amendment was also approved, but with modifications, the latter will return to City Council again for approval. City Planner Eric Lardy reviewed the Planning Commission's Tentative Schedule of upcoming projects noting that the Sept. 1, 2025 Planning Commission meeting will be canceled. Mr. Lardy added that a new Planning Commissioner is scheduled to be appointed at the next City Council meeting on Sept. 9, 2025 and will potentially atten e Sept. 17, 2025 meeting. ADJOURNMENT: 6:52 p.m. Q nthia Vigeland Administrative Secretary