The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutPRE 2026-0007; RANCHO CARLSBAD DRIVING RANGE STRUCTURE; Admin Decision LetterMarch 16, 2026 Gena Dells 1544 Roma Dr Vista, CA 92081-5028 C cityof Carlsbad SUBJECT: PRE 2026-0007 (DEV2026-0013) -RANCHO CARLSBAD DRIVING RANGE STRUCTURE APN 209-060-58-00 Thank you for submitting a preliminary review for a 136-foot-long by 6-foot-wide shade structure to be located over existing driving range boxes and the installation of two electric vehicle charging stations located at 5500 El Camino Real, assessor's parcel number (APN) 209-060-58-00. The project site, approximately 31.46 acres (1,370,441 square feet), is currently developed with a golf course including a clubhouse, parking lot, and three accessory buildings. Access to the golf course will continue to be provided by Rancho Carlsbad Drive .. The site is located outside of the Coastal Zone. A portion of the golf course is located within a FE MA-mapped 100-year floodplain and floodway. The proposed project includes: • The installation of a 136-foot-long by 6-foot-wide shade structure of unknown height with roof- mounted solar panels located on top of the structure which will be placed on a new concrete pad with dividers constructed between the individual boxes. • Two electric vehicle charging stations located near the driving ranges along the driveway near Rancho Carlsbad Dr. In response to your application, the Planning Division has prepared this comment letter. Please note that the purpose of a preliminary review is to provide you with direction and comments on the overall concept of your project. This preliminary review does not represent an in-depth analysis of your project. It is intended to give you feedback on critical issues based upon the information provided in your submittal. This review is based upon the plans, policies, and standards in effect as of the date of this review. Please be aware that at the time of a formal application submittal, new plans, policies, and standards may be in effect and additional issues of concern may be raised through a more specific and detailed review. Community Development Department Planning Division I 1635 Faraday Avenue I Carlsbad, CA 92008 I 442-339-2600 PRE 2026-0007 (DEV2026-0013)-RANCHO CARLSBAD EV CHARGERS AND SHADE STRUCTURE March 16, 2026 Pa e 2 Planning: General 1. General Plan and zoning designations for the property are as follows: a. Gene ral Plan: Open Space {OS) b. Zoning: Open Space {OS) 2. The project requires the following permits: a. Special Use Permit (SUP). A SUP is required for this site as the proposed development is located within the floodplain of Agua Hedionda Creek. This is a discretionary permit subject to approval by the Planning Commission. b. Building Permit. A building permit will be required prior to construction. 3. El Camino Real Corridor Standards. The El Camino Real Corridor Standards apply to certain areas of this property. Based upon relative elevation compared to the roadway, certain portions of the site fall within the jurisdictional boundary of the document. The location of the proposed electric vehicle charging stations and range covers do not fall within the jurisdictional bounds of the document. 4. Nonconforming Use. San Diego County adopted zoning in 1923. The City of Carlsbad was originally incorporated in 1952, but did not annex this area until the 1960's. The golf course originally opened in 1959. The City of Carlsbad does not have any planning permits on file for the existing use of the property as a golf course . The property is zoned OS and golf courses are conditionally permitted uses. The existing use is legal nonconforming and the proposed improvements to the site do not create an intensification of use or increase the degree of nonconformity. Therefore, a Nonconforming Use Permit is not required for the proposed scope of work. Sec. 21.48, Nonconforming Lots, Structures and Uses sets the regulations on how a nonconforming use can operate. 5. Flood Plain Regulations. A SUP is required pursuant to Sec. 21.110.130 which also lists six additional items to provide as part of the application packet. All eight standards for Findings of Approval must be able to be made by the reviewing body per Sec. 21 .110.135. All areas of special flood hazards must follow the Standards of Construction as described in Sec. 21.110.160 and provide evidence of conformance to said standards. 6. Building Height. Building height is taken from existing or finished grade whichever is lower to the peak of the structure as defined in Sec. 21.04.065. Please be advised that the maximum height for a structure within the OS zone is 25 feet. 7. Parking. For the future site plan, show the number of existing parking stalls for golfers on the driving range and the number of stalls proposed after construction of the new shade structure. Community Development Department Planning Division I 1635 Faraday Avenue I Carlsbad, CA 92008 I 442-339-2600 PRE 2026-0007 (DEV2026-0013) -RANCHO CARLSBAD EV CHARGERS AND SHADE STRUCTURE March 16, 2026 Pa e 3 One parking space is required per driving range stall. For a golf course, six parking stalls are required per hole pursuant to current parking standards. Other accessory uses may require additional parking stalls. 8. Site Plan. Indicate where utilities for the proposed EV charging stations will run and the extent of trenching required to install the necessary utilities. Label the number of parking stalls existing for the driving range and where the two EV charging stations are proposed. In addition, due to the limited information provided on the hand-drawn site plan, please be aware that additional comments will be provided once an architect or engineer prepares a site plan, drawn to scale. Please refer to the city's P-2 checklist for additional information regarding what is required on plans submitted to the city for review. Please review City Council Policy No. 84 as compliance with the policy is required due to the public noticing required for the Special Use Permit as this application requires a public hearing held by the Planning Commission. Land Development Engineering Land Development Engineering Division staff has completed a preliminary review of the above-referenced project. Prior to formal application for the project permit submittal, the following items must be adequately resolved/addressed, unless otherwise noted: 1. Complete a Stormwater Standards Questionnaire Form E-34: https://www.carlsbadca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/604/638683035715330000 . This questionnaire will guide you and the city in determining what type of reports and storm water mitigation must be completed to satisfy state and City storm water quality requirements. The questionnaire is located on the City of Carlsbad website. 2. Provide a Preliminary Title Report (current within the last six {6) months). 3. Annotate and delineate all existing easements and encumbrances listed in the Preliminary Title Report on the site plan. If any vacations or quitclaims are planned with this development annotate on the site plan. 4. On the site plan, show and identify all proposed impervious area. 5. Please be advised that a more in-depth review of the proposed development will occur with the discretionary permit application when a more complete design of the project is provided. Building Division: 1. Please be aware that this project will require formal submittal of construction plans with the Building and Safety Division for review and approval. 2. Plans must be prepared by a Licensed Architect or Registered Professional Engineer. (Business & Professions Code Sections 5537, 5538, and 6737.1). Community Development Department Planning Division I 1635 Faraday Avenue I Carlsbad, CA 92008 I 442-339-2600 PRE 2026-0007 (DEV2026-0013) -RANCHO CARLSBAD EV CHARGERS AND SHADE STRUCTURE March 16, 2026 Pa e 4 3. Provide a site plan showing the size and location of new construction and existing structures on the site, distances from property lines, and the street in respect to the property. CBC 107.2.6 4. Show the accessible path of travel from the accessible parking and public way to the area of alteration CBC 118-202.4. 5. Advisory: this project appears to be located within a wildland-urban interface (WUI) area. The 2025 California Wild land Urban Interface Code contains minimum requirements that will be applicable. a. Please note: Construction requirements under CWUIC Sections 504.11.2 through 504.11.6 apply to the proposed detached accessory structure. Fire Department: 1. No comments. If you would like to schedule a meeting to discuss this letter with the commenting departments, please contact Tate Hillmann at the number below. You may also contact each department individually as follows: • Planning Division: Tate Hillmann, Assistant Planner, at (442) 339-2016 • Land Development Engineering: Linda Ontiveros, Project Engineer, at (442) 339-2773 • Fire Department: Darcy Davidson, Division Chief/Fire Marshal, at (442) 339-2662 • Building Division: Jesse Sanchez, Building Official, at (951) 756-8697 Sincerely, Eric Lardy, AICP Assistant Director of Community Development EL:TH:CF c: Touchstone Golf LLC, attn Chris Gilfillen, 500 Skokie Blvd, Ste 444, Northbrook, IL 60062 Linda Ontiveros, Project Engineer Fire Prevention Laserfiche/File Copy Data Entry Community Development Department Planning Division I 1635 Faraday Avenue I Carlsbad, CA 92008 I 442-339-2600