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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-10-15; Planning Commission; 05; City Council Legislative SubcommitteeMeeting Date: Oct. 15, 2025 Item 5 To: Planning Commission From: Eric Lardy, City Planner Staff Contact: Jason Haber, Intergovernmental Affairs Director Jason.haber@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-2958 Melanie Burkholder, City Council Member, District 1, melanie.burkholder@carlsbadca.gov 442-339-2830 Subject: City Council Legislative Subcommittee Update District: All Recommended Action Receive a presentation regarding the work of the City Council Legislative Subcommittee, the City of Carlsbad Intergovernmental Affairs Program and the city’s recent and ongoing advocacy efforts related to land use planning and development. Executive Summary The City of Carlsbad City Council Legislative Subcommittee works in coordination with the city’s Intergovernmental Affairs Director, City Manager’s Office, City Attorney’s Office, city departments, legislative consultants and the Carlsbad community to: 1.Receive information and advise the City Council on intergovernmental and legislative matters affecting the city 2.Continuously monitor state and federal proposed legislation: a.For consistency with the city’s Legislative Platform b.To make recommendations to City Council to identify high priority bills c.To make recommendations to City Council to adopt advocacy positions on high priority bills not addressed by the Legislative Platform 3.Proactively seek to identify local and regional legislative needs and recommend bill sponsorship opportunities to the City Council 4.Engage and inform the Carlsbad community (residents, businesses, stakeholder groups) and other governmental agencies on intergovernmental and legislative matters affecting the city. District 1 City Council Member and Legislative Subcommittee Member Melanie Burkholder and Intergovernmental Affairs Director Jason Haber will provide an update on the city’s recent and ongoing advocacy efforts related to land use planning and development; including an overview of the city’s process for evaluating and pursuing grant opportunities, and the city’s current funding priorities. PLANNING COMMISSION Oct. 15, 2025 Item #5 1 of 2 Fiscal Analysis This action has no fiscal impact. Environmental Evaluation This action does not require environmental review because it does not constitute a project within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act under California Public Resources Code Section 21065 in that it has no potential to cause either a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. Exhibits None. Oct. 15, 2025 Item #5 2 of 2 Melanie Burkholder District 1 City Council Member Legislative Subcommittee Member October 15, 2025 Planning Commission Legislative Update TODAY’S PRESENTATION •Intergovernmental Affairs program overview •Legislative process & calendar •Legislative Platform position statements •City funding requests •Q & A Legislative Update INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS •City Council policy & resolution •City Council Legislative Subcommittee •Legislative Platform •Cal Cities / National League of Cities •Departmental & lobbyist support •Legislative & regulatory advocacy •State/federal/other grant funding LEGISLATIVE & REGULATORY ADVOCACY •Watch / Support / Oppose / …If Amended •Letters / Testimony •Direct Engagement (legislators, staff, consultants, committee members, administration, agencies) •Bill Sponsorship •Regional partners – County, SANDAG, neighboring cities, etc. Legislative Update CITY-SPONSORED BILLS 2022: AB 1672 – Ocean Lifeguards at City Pools AB 1682 – Lifeguard Rescue Vessel Speed Limit 2023: SB 428 – TRO for Employee Harassment 2024: AB 2234 – E-bike rider training and age minimum AB 2715 – Brown Act Exception: Cybersecurity 2025 Bill Proposals: •Prohibit STVR use in ADU’s & density bonus projects •Clarify affordable housing replacement requirements and application of inclusionary requirements in DBL •Expand allowable use of beds at La Posada Shelter •Require occupants of permanent supportive housing to agree to receive case management services 2025 LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR Jan 6, 2025 Legislature Reconvenes Feb 21 Bill Introduction Deadline Aug 18–Sept. 12 Fiscal Committees & Floor Sessions Jul 18–Aug 18 Summer Recess Oct 12 Governor’s Sign/Veto Deadline Legislative Update Mar–Jul Policy & Fiscal Committees Jun 15 Legislative Budget Deadline Jan 5, 2026 Convene 2026 Regular Legislative Session You are here Jun 30 Governor’s Budget Deadline Jan 1, 2026 Statutes take effect CITY OF CARLSBAD 2025 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM Guiding Principles I. Preserve Local Control - The city supports the broadest authority for our citizens and the City Council to make decisions and provide public services locally. As cities are voluntarily created by the residents of a community to provide local self- government and to make decisions at the local level to best meet the diverse needs of the community, the city opposes preemption of local control. II. Maintain Fiscal Responsibility — The city supports legislative and budget measures that protect and enhance its existing funding sources, revenue base and control over local government budgeting. The city opposes efforts to shift local funds to the county, state or federal governments, diminish its revenue base or impose new mandates that are unfunded or inadequately funded. III. Protect Quality of Life — The city supports state legislation and funding that preserve the safety, security, cultural resources and well-being of our residents, workers, businesses and visitors. The city opposes efforts that would negatively impact the infrastructure, public health and safety, community development, equitable community services, cultural integrity and environmental programs and other city efforts to maintain and enhance the quality of life in Carlsbad. Legislative Update CITY OF CARLSBAD 2025 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM Legislative Priorities 1. Community Character 2. Quality of Life & Safety 3. Sustainability & the Natural Environment 4. Economic Vitality 5. Organizational Excellence & Fiscal Health Legislative Update 2025 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM Community Services Arts, Cultural Resources, Historic Preservation and Education Child Care Park Bond Funds Public Parks/Recreational Facilities Public Libraries Seniors Healthy Cities Environmental Quality Climate Change California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Hazardous Materials Solid Waste, Recycling and Diversion Utilities Coastal Issues Water General Principles Water Conservation Water Recycling Water Quality Water Storage & Conveyance Systems New Technology Financial Considerations Governance, Transparency and Labor Relations Labor Relations Workers’ Compensation Governance and Ethics Elected Officials Housing, Community and Economic Development Planning and Zoning Housing Subdivision Map Act Economic Development Public Safety Fire Services Emergency Services and Preparedness Law Enforcement Drugs and Alcohol Homelessness Miscellaneous Revenue and Taxation State Mandates Transportation, Communication and Public Works Transportation Public Works Contracts Telecommunications Legislative Update CITY OF CARLSBAD 2025 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM – POSITIONS Planning and Zoning •Support measures in local land use that are consistent with the doctrine of "home rule" and the local exercise of police powers in planning and zoning processes. •Support legislation that preserves the authority of local agencies to regulate short-term vacation rentals. •Support legislation that enables local agencies to effectively address issues concerning public safety and proper management of group homes. Legislative Update CITY OF CARLSBAD 2025 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM – POSITIONS Housing •Oppose measures that diminish local authority to implement growth management initiatives that ensure communities do not exceed carrying capacities and the provision of adequate public facilities. •Support legislation that ensures that units created under density bonus law are not used for vacation rentals. •Support legislation that ensures that affordable and market-rate ADUs and units in projects receiving development standard waivers, concessions or density bonus are not used for vacation rentals. Legislative Update CITY OF CARLSBAD 2025 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM – POSITIONS Housing •Support - a formula-based Regional Housing Needs Assessment allocation methodology that reflects the unique needs and practical capacity of local communities. •Support – exempting 100% affordable housing projects from CEQA while continuing to mitigate residents’ potential exposure to health and safety hazards. •Oppose - expanding the Coastal Commission’s authority over state and local housing policy… Legislative Update CITY OF CARLSBAD 2025 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM – POSITIONS Housing •Support legislation clarifying that replacement housing required of a density bonus project that demolishes existing low or moderate units on the parcel is in addition to the affordable units required under density bonus law. •Support legislation clarifying a city’s ability to enforce a local inclusionary ordinance on the total units, inclusive of units obtained through a density bonus. •Support legislation that allows for local decision-making regarding parking requirements. Legislative Update CITY OF CARLSBAD 2025 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM – POSITIONS Housing •Support legislation that maintains local decision-making regarding the development of Accessory Dwelling Units. •Support measures that allow cities to deny or condition housing development to reconcile documented deficiencies in water, wastewater, or transportation system service capacity. •Support legislation that revises the methodology for measuring the distance to a major transit stop, used to determine parking exemption eligibility, to reflect the actual walkable distance between the transit stop and the project entrance along established pedestrian routes. Legislative Update 2025 STATE LEGISLATIVE THEMES Legislative Update •Transit-Oriented Development – Increased Height, Density •Delegation of Land Use Authority to Transit Districts •CEQA Exemptions •Prohibiting Adoption of New Building Standards •Permit Streamlining & Fee Limits •Prohibiting Incentives/Concessions for Visitor Serving/Commercial Uses •Planning for Acutely Low-Income Housing 2025 BILLS OF INTEREST SB 79 Local government land: public transit use: housing development: transit-oriented development City position: Oppose Streamlines approval of taller, higher-density housing near major transit stops - limiting the ability of local jurisdictions to deny certain multi-family housing developments and exempting certain transit- agency-owned projects from CEQA. SB 92 Housing development: density bonuses City Position:Support Not required to approve, grant concessions, or waive standards for hotel/motel use as a part of a project subject to DBL. Also provides that a concession or incentive granted under DBL shall not result in a project with a commercial FAR >2.5 times the allowed base zone commercial FAR. AB 87 Housing development: density bonuses City position: Support Updates Density Bonus Law to require >70% of total s.f. be for residential use, excluding hotels, motels, B&Bs and other visitor serving uses. Legislative Update 2025 BILLS OF INTEREST AB 424 Alcohol and other drug programs: complaints City position: Support Increases accountability and transparency into how the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) processes complaints against licensed alcohol and drug treatment facilities. AB 492 Alcohol and drug programs: licensing City position: Support Requires the California Department of Health Care Services to notify local governments upon issuing licenses for residential alcohol or drug recovery facilities located within their jurisdiction. AB 610 Housing element: governmental constraints: disclosure statement City position: Oppose Requires local governments to include a governmental constraints disclosure statement in their housing elements. and prohibit the adoption of new or amended housing and land-use regulations deemed to be "governmental constraints" unless previously disclosed or required by law. Legislative Update 2025 BILLS OF INTEREST AB 996 Public Resources: sea level rise plans City Position:Support Authorizes the California Coastal Commission to deem existing sea level rise information or plans prepared by a local government to satisfy the content requirements for a sea level rise plan. The bill also creates a voluntary early consultation process for cities and counties to consult with the commission to ensure formal submission of sea level rise plan materials are sufficient for a complete review. SB 346 Local agencies: transient occupancy taxes: short-term rental facilitator City position: Support Provides cities with the assessor parcel number of each short-term rental listed on a rental facilitator’s website and full audit authority of Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) dollars. These changes ensure the correct amount of TOT is being collected and remitted and allows for more efficient enforcement against unlicensed units. Legislative Update City Funding Requests •Priority projects in need of funding •Aligned with state/federal priorities and funding sources •Multi-year effort •Discretionary Budget Appropriations •Community Projects Funding •Competitive Grants •Formula Allocations •Public Safety •Village Area Pedestrian Lighting •Barrio Street & Pedestrian Lighting •Fire Station 7 – Design •La Posada de Guadalupe Homeless Shelter Expansion •Sustainability & Climate Adaptation •EV Charging Stations – Monroe St. Pool & Veterans Memorial Park •S. Carlsbad Blvd. Climate Adaptation Studies •Maerkle Reservoir Solar Project •Sea Level Rise Adaptation & Shoreline Preservation •Parks & Trails Projects •Avenida Encinas Coastal Rail Trail •Pickleball Courts – Calavera Hills & Stagecoach •ADA Beach Access Improvements •Robertson Ranch Park Development •Transportation & Mobility Projects •Kelly Dr. & Park Dr. Complete Streets •Lowering the Railroad Tracks in the Village •Safe Routes to School Improvements: Sage Creek High School & Hope Elementary School •La Costa Ave. Traffic Improvements: ECR to RSF 2025 STATE & FEDERAL FUNDING PRIORITIES Thank You! Legislative Update Melanie Burkholder City Council Member - District 1 Legislative Subcommittee Member Melanie.Burkholder@carlsbadca.gov 442-339-2830 (Office) 442-637-2853 (Direct) Jason Haber Intergovernmental Affairs Director jason.haber@carlsbadca.gov (442) 339-2958 Melanie Burkholder District 1 City Council Member Legislative Subcommittee Member October 15, 2025 Planning Commission Legislative Update TODAY’S PRESENTATION •Intergovernmental Affairs program overview •Legislative process & calendar •Legislative Platform position statements •City funding requests •Q & A Legislative Update INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS •City Council policy & resolution •City Council Legislative Subcommittee •Legislative Platform •Cal Cities / National League of Cities •Departmental & lobbyist support •Legislative & regulatory advocacy •State/federal/other grant funding LEGISLATIVE & REGULATORY ADVOCACY •Watch / Support / Oppose / …If Amended •Letters / Testimony •Direct Engagement (legislators, staff, consultants, committee members, administration, agencies) •Bill Sponsorship •Regional partners – County, SANDAG, neighboring cities, etc. Legislative Update CITY-SPONSORED BILLS 2022: AB 1672 – Ocean Lifeguards at City Pools AB 1682 – Lifeguard Rescue Vessel Speed Limit 2023: SB 428 – TRO for Employee Harassment 2024: AB 2234 – E-bike rider training and age minimum AB 2715 – Brown Act Exception: Cybersecurity 2025 Bill Proposals: •Prohibit STVR use in ADU’s & density bonus projects •Clarify affordable housing replacement requirements and application of inclusionary requirements in DBL •Expand allowable use of beds at La Posada Shelter •Require occupants of permanent supportive housing to agree to receive case management services 2025 LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR Jan 6, 2025 Legislature Reconvenes Feb 21 Bill Introduction Deadline Aug 18–Sept. 12 Fiscal Committees & Floor Sessions Jul 18–Aug 18 Summer Recess Oct 12 Governor’s Sign/Veto Deadline Legislative Update Mar–Jul Policy & Fiscal Committees Jun 15 Legislative Budget Deadline Jan 5, 2026 Convene 2026 Regular Legislative Session You are here Jun 30 Governor’s Budget Deadline Jan 1, 2026 Statutes take effect CITY OF CARLSBAD 2025 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM Guiding Principles I. Preserve Local Control - The city supports the broadest authority for our citizens and the City Council to make decisions and provide public services locally. As cities are voluntarily created by the residents of a community to provide local self- government and to make decisions at the local level to best meet the diverse needs of the community, the city opposes preemption of local control. II. Maintain Fiscal Responsibility — The city supports legislative and budget measures that protect and enhance its existing funding sources, revenue base and control over local government budgeting. The city opposes efforts to shift local funds to the county, state or federal governments, diminish its revenue base or impose new mandates that are unfunded or inadequately funded. III. Protect Quality of Life — The city supports state legislation and funding that preserve the safety, security, cultural resources and well-being of our residents, workers, businesses and visitors. The city opposes efforts that would negatively impact the infrastructure, public health and safety, community development, equitable community services, cultural integrity and environmental programs and other city efforts to maintain and enhance the quality of life in Carlsbad. Legislative Update CITY OF CARLSBAD 2025 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM Legislative Priorities 1. Community Character 2. Quality of Life & Safety 3. Sustainability & the Natural Environment 4. Economic Vitality 5. Organizational Excellence & Fiscal Health Legislative Update 2025 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM Community Services Arts, Cultural Resources, Historic Preservation and Education Child Care Park Bond Funds Public Parks/Recreational Facilities Public Libraries Seniors Healthy Cities Environmental Quality Climate Change California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Hazardous Materials Solid Waste, Recycling and Diversion Utilities Coastal Issues Water General Principles Water Conservation Water Recycling Water Quality Water Storage & Conveyance Systems New Technology Financial Considerations Governance, Transparency and Labor Relations Labor Relations Workers’ Compensation Governance and Ethics Elected Officials Housing, Community and Economic Development Planning and Zoning Housing Subdivision Map Act Economic Development Public Safety Fire Services Emergency Services and Preparedness Law Enforcement Drugs and Alcohol Homelessness Miscellaneous Revenue and Taxation State Mandates Transportation, Communication and Public Works Transportation Public Works Contracts Telecommunications Legislative Update CITY OF CARLSBAD 2025 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM – POSITIONS Planning and Zoning •Support measures in local land use that are consistent with the doctrine of "home rule" and the local exercise of police powers in planning and zoning processes. •Support legislation that preserves the authority of local agencies to regulate short-term vacation rentals. •Support legislation that enables local agencies to effectively address issues concerning public safety and proper management of group homes. Legislative Update CITY OF CARLSBAD 2025 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM – POSITIONS Housing •Oppose measures that diminish local authority to implement growth management initiatives that ensure communities do not exceed carrying capacities and the provision of adequate public facilities. •Support legislation that ensures that units created under density bonus law are not used for vacation rentals. •Support legislation that ensures that affordable and market-rate ADUs and units in projects receiving development standard waivers, concessions or density bonus are not used for vacation rentals. Legislative Update CITY OF CARLSBAD 2025 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM – POSITIONS Housing •Support - a formula-based Regional Housing Needs Assessment allocation methodology that reflects the unique needs and practical capacity of local communities. •Support – exempting 100% affordable housing projects from CEQA while continuing to mitigate residents’ potential exposure to health and safety hazards. •Oppose - expanding the Coastal Commission’s authority over state and local housing policy… Legislative Update CITY OF CARLSBAD 2025 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM – POSITIONS Housing •Support legislation clarifying that replacement housing required of a density bonus project that demolishes existing low or moderate units on the parcel is in addition to the affordable units required under density bonus law. •Support legislation clarifying a city’s ability to enforce a local inclusionary ordinance on the total units, inclusive of units obtained through a density bonus. •Support legislation that allows for local decision-making regarding parking requirements. Legislative Update CITY OF CARLSBAD 2025 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM – POSITIONS Housing •Support legislation that maintains local decision-making regarding the development of Accessory Dwelling Units. •Support measures that allow cities to deny or condition housing development to reconcile documented deficiencies in water, wastewater, or transportation system service capacity. •Support legislation that revises the methodology for measuring the distance to a major transit stop, used to determine parking exemption eligibility, to reflect the actual walkable distance between the transit stop and the project entrance along established pedestrian routes. Legislative Update 2025 STATE LEGISLATIVE THEMES Legislative Update •Transit-Oriented Development – Increased Height, Density •Delegation of Land Use Authority to Transit Districts •CEQA Exemptions •Prohibiting Adoption of New Building Standards •Permit Streamlining & Fee Limits •Prohibiting Incentives/Concessions for Visitor Serving/Commercial Uses •Planning for Acutely Low-Income Housing 2025 BILLS OF INTEREST SB 79 Local government land: public transit use: housing development: transit-oriented development City position: Oppose Streamlines approval of taller, higher-density housing near major transit stops - limiting the ability of local jurisdictions to deny certain multi-family housing developments and exempting certain transit- agency-owned projects from CEQA. SB 92 Housing development: density bonuses City Position:Support Not required to approve, grant concessions, or waive standards for hotel/motel use as a part of a project subject to DBL. Also provides that a concession or incentive granted under DBL shall not result in a project with a commercial FAR >2.5 times the allowed base zone commercial FAR. AB 87 Housing development: density bonuses City position: Support Updates Density Bonus Law to require >70% of total s.f. be for residential use, excluding hotels, motels, B&Bs and other visitor serving uses. Legislative Update 2025 BILLS OF INTEREST AB 424 Alcohol and other drug programs: complaints City position: Support Increases accountability and transparency into how the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) processes complaints against licensed alcohol and drug treatment facilities. AB 492 Alcohol and drug programs: licensing City position: Support Requires the California Department of Health Care Services to notify local governments upon issuing licenses for residential alcohol or drug recovery facilities located within their jurisdiction. AB 610 Housing element: governmental constraints: disclosure statement City position: Oppose Requires local governments to include a governmental constraints disclosure statement in their housing elements. and prohibit the adoption of new or amended housing and land-use regulations deemed to be "governmental constraints" unless previously disclosed or required by law. Legislative Update 2025 BILLS OF INTEREST AB 996 Public Resources: sea level rise plans City Position:Support Authorizes the California Coastal Commission to deem existing sea level rise information or plans prepared by a local government to satisfy the content requirements for a sea level rise plan. The bill also creates a voluntary early consultation process for cities and counties to consult with the commission to ensure formal submission of sea level rise plan materials are sufficient for a complete review. SB 346 Local agencies: transient occupancy taxes: short-term rental facilitator City position: Support Provides cities with the assessor parcel number of each short-term rental listed on a rental facilitator’s website and full audit authority of Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) dollars. These changes ensure the correct amount of TOT is being collected and remitted and allows for more efficient enforcement against unlicensed units. Legislative Update City Funding Requests •Priority projects in need of funding •Aligned with state/federal priorities and funding sources •Multi-year effort •Discretionary Budget Appropriations •Community Projects Funding •Competitive Grants •Formula Allocations •Public Safety •Village Area Pedestrian Lighting •Barrio Street & Pedestrian Lighting •Fire Station 7 – Design •La Posada de Guadalupe Homeless Shelter Expansion •Sustainability & Climate Adaptation •EV Charging Stations – Monroe St. Pool & Veterans Memorial Park •S. Carlsbad Blvd. Climate Adaptation Studies •Maerkle Reservoir Solar Project •Sea Level Rise Adaptation & Shoreline Preservation •Parks & Trails Projects •Avenida Encinas Coastal Rail Trail •Pickleball Courts – Calavera Hills & Stagecoach •ADA Beach Access Improvements •Robertson Ranch Park Development •Transportation & Mobility Projects •Kelly Dr. & Park Dr. Complete Streets •Lowering the Railroad Tracks in the Village •Safe Routes to School Improvements: Sage Creek High School & Hope Elementary School •La Costa Ave. Traffic Improvements: ECR to RSF 2025 STATE & FEDERAL FUNDING PRIORITIES Thank You! Legislative Update Melanie Burkholder City Council Member - District 1 Legislative Subcommittee Member Melanie.Burkholder@carlsbadca.gov 442-339-2830 (Office) 442-637-2853 (Direct) Jason Haber Intergovernmental Affairs Director jason.haber@carlsbadca.gov (442) 339-2958