HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-03-09; Historic Preservation Commission; 01; Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Work PlanMeeting Date: March 9, 2026
To: Historic Preservation Commission
From: Mike Strong, Director of Community Development
Staff Contact: Mike Strong, Director of Community Development
Mike.strong@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-2721
Subject: Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Work Plan
Recommended Action
Adopt a resolution to recommend City Council approval of the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Work Plan.
Executive Summary
Carlsbad Municipal Code Section 2.15.020(C) requires that each board or commission provide
to the City Council for its approval an annual work plan of activities to be undertaken in the
coming year or years and to provide a subsequent report of its accomplishments. Attached for
Historic Preservation Commission consideration is a report of the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Work
Plan accomplishments and the proposed Fiscal Year 2026-27 Work Plan.
Discussion
In 2018, the City Council revised the Municipal Code to create uniform policies and procedures
related to boards and commissions, including a requirement for annual work plans to function
as a road map for projects and initiatives. The purpose of the work plan is to encourage
increased dialogue between the city’s boards and commissions and the City Council. It is also
intended to ensure that the boards and commissions are working in line with the City Council’s
priorities. The Historic Preservation Commission developed its Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Work Plan
on March 10, 2025. The City Council adopted the Work Plan on June 10, 2025.
At its March 9, 2026 meeting, Commissioners will discuss the proposed Fiscal Year 2026-27
Work Plan (Exhibit 1) and identify opportunities to assist with items on the Work Plan. The
Work Plan represents top priority projects based previous work plans and/comments made by
the Commission. Staff also maintains a list of “on-deck” projects (also shown in Exhibit 1) that
are not included in the draft Work Plan as a way to keep track of projects for inclusion in future
work programs. Though “on-deck” projects are not included in the draft Work Plan, they may
be brought to the Historic Preservation Commission if the issue becomes more pressing and/or
the opportunity arises to elevate the project or initiative. Furthermore, “on deck” projects (or
specific aspects of projects) may be bundled with other related projects for efficiency.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
March 9, 2026 Item #1 1 of 7
After feedback is received, the Historic Preservation Commission will need to adopt the
attached resolution to formally recommend that the City Council accept the priority projects
listed. After the Work Plan is adopted by the City Council, the Historic Preservation Commission
and staff will focus efforts on the projects and activities listed in the approved Work Plan.
Fiscal Analysis
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with receiving this informational report.
Environmental Evaluation (CEQA)
The proposed action is not a “project” as defined by CEQA Section 21065 and CEQA Guidelines
Section 15378(b)(5) and does not require environment review under CEQA Guidelines Section
15060(c)(3) and 15061(b)(3), because the proposed action to adopt an annual work plan is an
organizational or administrative government activity that does not involve any commitment to
any specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the
environment. Any subsequent action or direction stemming from the proposed action may
require preparation of an environmental document in accordance with CEQA or CEQA
Guidelines.
Exhibits
1.Resolution
March 9, 2026 Item #1 2 of 7
Attachment A
City of Carlsbad
Historic Preservation Commission
Fiscal Year 2025-26 Work Plan Accomplishments
The Historic Preservation Commission holds regularly scheduled meetings and advises the City
Council and Planning Commission on the identification, protection, retention and preservation
of historic areas and sites within the city. The City Council approved the commission’s Fiscal
Year 2025-26 Work Plan on June 10, 2025. This document reports on the actions the Historic
Preservation Commission took to implement the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Work Plan.
Historic Preservation Commission's Accomplishments for Fiscal Year 2025-26
In terms of accomplishments, this past year the Historic Preservation Commission’s
accomplishments are the following:
1.The Commission has held five regularly scheduled meetings over the past year (2025
calendar year).
2.A subcommittee was formed to update the Historic Preservation Commission website.
The subcommittee completed its work and presented a final report to the Historic
Preservation Commission. The website has been updated to include information about
historic surveys, historic properties, how properties may qualify for historic designation,
benefits and incentives, preservation-related codes and policies, and other ways to
explore historic properties. The page can be accessible with the link provided below.
Historic Preservation | Carlsbad, CA
3.Explored ways of sharing information about historic site recognition.
4.Continued to educate the community about its history through support of school
curriculum. The “Drawing on Carlsbad’s Past,” a 3rd Grade Art Contest was presented to
the City Council on May 20, 2025. Seven schools participated.
5.The City Council adopted the Historic Preservation Commissions’ recommendations for
a uniform plaque program to commemorate historic resources and heritage trees in the
city. The Historic Preservation Commission received its first nomination for plaque
installation on Nov. 10, 2025.
6.Developed recommendations for additional historic benefits and incentives to increase
participation in historic preservation. The City Council provided direction to staff to
initiate certain zoning code amendments to implement the Historic Preservation
Commission’s recommendations.
March 9, 2026 Item #1 4 of 7
7.Reviewed Mills Act implementation and recommended opportunities to advance
preservation of historic properties. The Historic Preservation Commission appointed an
ad-hoc subcommittee to oversee certain implementation activities aimed at
encouraging enrollment. The ad-hoc subcommittee met on one occasion.
8.The Historic Preservation Commission received a paleontological monitoring report for
the project (13 single-family residential lots) at the southern terminus of Twain Avenue,
abutting the Spyglass Hills neighborhood, called the Ocean View Point subdivision.
9.A liaison was appointed to maintain communications with the Carlsbad Historical
Society.
March 9, 2026 Item #1 5 of 7
Attachment B
City of Carlsbad
Historic Preservation Commission
Fiscal Year 2026-27 Work Plan
I. Mission Statement
The mission of the Historic Preservation Commission shall be to advise the City Council,
Planning Commission, and Housing Commission in all matters relating to the identification,
protection, retention and preservation of historic resources in the City of Carlsbad and inform
the public of all matters pertaining to the preservation of historic resources within the
guidelines and codes that govern the Commission.
II. Work Plan Purpose
The Historic Preservation Commission developed this Work Plan during its meeting on March 9,
2026. The Work Plan and complementary actions are intended to guide the Commission and
city staff work efforts over the next fiscal year. The document allows the Commission, the City
Council, and public to receive an update on projects that the Commission is undertaking (based
on City Council direction) and allows the City Council to review projects or programs they may
want to proceed with.
In addition to the Work Plan items, the Commission and city staff concurrently dedicates
significant time and resources to projects not on the Work Plan.
III.Historic Preservation Commission's Work Plan for Fiscal Year 2026-2027
The following is to be included in the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Work Plan.
1.Create/update a brochure for Historical Plaque Program buildings and structures,
including but not limited to the use of technologies (e.g. city website and QR codes for
landmark wayfinding.
2.Implement the uniform plaque program. Consider designating individual properties for
landmarks and work with property owners to install plaques on historic buildings in the
Local Register.
3.Implement the Mills Act program. Work with property owners to participate in the
program.
4.Continue to educate the community about its history through support of school
curriculum, 3rd grade historic art program.
March 9, 2026 Item #1 6 of 7
5.The Commission will assist in maintaining the Historic Preservation Ordinance and
support any CMC revisions intended to establish local benefits and incentives as
directed by the City Council.
6.Foster partnership with the Carlsbad Historical Society and provide oversight for the
ongoing effort to preserve the Magee House (i.e., Carlsbad Historical Society Museum).
Collaborate with the Carlsbad Historical Society on community events or other activities
to encourage historic preservation.
7.Support efforts to update the city’s Cultural Resouce Guidelines with staff and provide
advisory reviews as needed.
8.Analyze the steps required to obtain Certified Local Government Status and provide a
recommendation to the City Council.
9.Further, the Commission shall study and report to the City Council upon any matter
referred to it by the City Council and furnish any special information, reports or
materials which the City Council may request.
IV. Items “On-Deck” or Set-Aside for Future Year Work Plan(s)
The following is NOT to be included in the FY 2026-27 Work Plan; however, may be initiated
during the course of the fiscal year and/or included in the work plans of future years.
10.Help create an oral history collection project in cooperation with Library’s Carlsbad
History Collection through recorded interviews of local long-time residents and through
creating brief biographies about the city’s past mayors to accompany photos in Council
Chambers.
March 9, 2026 Item #1 7 of 7
Mike Strong
Assistant Director of Community Development
March 9, 2026
Historic Preservation Commission
Work Plan