HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-01-21; Planning Commission; Minutes; Regular SessionPLANNING COMMISSION
Minutes
Jan. 21, 2026, 5 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER: 5 p.m.
Council Chamber
1200 Carlsbad Village Drive
Carlsbad, CA 92008
ROLL CALL: Burrows, Fitzgerald, Lafferty, Foster, Hubinger, Meenes (Merz -Absent).
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Lafferty led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Minutes of the Regular Meeting held Dec. 17, 2025.
Motion by Commissioner Burrows, seconded by Commissioner Hubinger to approve the minutes as
presented. Motion carried. 4/0/2/1 (Lafferty and Foster -Abstain; Merz -Absent)
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Resident and Equitable Land Use Alliance (ELUAC) representative, Steve Linke, commented on the
reduced parking allowed in new developments and requested that the City employ a parking permit
program.
PUBLIC HEARING:
1. RESORT VIEW APARTMENTS -0012 / HDP2024-0004 -1) Adoption of a resolution approving a Site
Development Plan and Hillside Development Permit to construct a fou(-story, 26-unit residential
apartment project which includes three lnclusionary Housing units, on vacant property generally
located along the westside of Viejo Castilla Way between Navarra Drive and Pirineos Way (Assessor
Parcel Nos. 216-170-14-00 and 216-170-15-00) in the southeast quadrant of the city, the RD-M
Zone, and Local Facilities Management Zone 6.
ACTION TYPE: Quasi-Judicial
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Take public input, close the public hearing,
and adopt the Resolution.
PLANNER: Mike Strong ENGINEER: Jason Geldert
Chair Meenes opened the duly noticed public hearing.on Item 1 at 5:07 p.m .
Assistant Director of Community Development, Eric Lardy introduced Community Development
Director Mike Strong, who reviewed a PowerPoint presentation on the project (on file in the Office of
the City Clerk.)
Applicant Representative John Allen, President of Streamline Development Group reviewed a
PowerPoint presentation on the project (on file in the Office of the City Cieri<.)
Chair Meenes opened Public Testimony at 5:38 p.m.
Jan. 21, 2026 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Page 2
Ted Campbell did not wish to speak but would like his opposition to the project noted for the record.
Scott McCarthy, Ashley Causey, Maureen Wattlett and E.W. Cuthbert spoke in opposition to the
project.
Steve Linke, resident and ELUAC representative, reviewed a slide presentation and spoke in opposition
to the project.
Community Development Director Mike Strong acknowledged that in addition to the testimony
received this evening, the Staff Report includes 39 public comments and anything received today was
also sent to the Planning Commissioners.
In response to Commissioner Lafferty's question regarding prior permit approvals, Mr. Strong
explained that permits can expire, but the California Environmental Quality Act {CEQA) documentation
to support a project, as in this case, remains valid. Mr. Strong added if the applicant built 20%
affordable housing the project would be eligible to use a Density bonus waiver and any CEQA
requirements would be unnecessary to approve the project.
Commissioner discussion ensued.
Motion by Commissioner Foster, seconded by Commissioner Hubinger to adopt Resolution No.7563
as presented by staff. Motion carried, 6/0/1 .(Merz-Absent)
Chair Meenes called for a recess at 6:38 p.m.
Chair Meenes reconvened the duly noticed meeting at 6:50 p.m.
2. AVENIDA ENCINAS COASTAL RAIL TRAIL AND PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT -CDP 2024-
0010/HMP 2024-0009 (PUB2023-0015) -1) Adoption of a Resolution of an initial study/mitigated
negative declaration and mitigation monitoring and reporting program to construct roadway,
bikeway, and pedestrian improvements along an approximately one-mile segment of Avenida
encinas from Palomar Airport Road to South of the Poinsettia Coaster station entrance in Local
Facilities Management Zones 3 and 22;
2) Approval of a Resolution approving a Coastal Development Permit and Habitat Management
Plan Permit to construct roadway, bikeway, and pedestrian improvements along an approximately
one-mile segment of Avenida Encinas from Palomar Airport Road to South of the Poinsettia Coaster
station entrance in Local Facilities Management Zones 3 and 22.
ACTION TYPE: Quasi-Judicial
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Take public input, close the public hearing,
and adopt the Resolutions.
PLANNER: Scott Donnell ENGINEER: Tim Carroll
Chair Meenes opened the duly noticed public hearing at 6:50 p.m.
Jan. 21,2026 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Page 3
Assistant Director of Community Development, Eric Lardy introduced Senior Planner, Scott Donnell,
who reviewed a PowerPoint presentation on the project.(on file in the Office of the City Clerk)
Chair Meenes opened the public testimony at 7:13 p.m.
Hearing no one wishing to speak, Chair Meenes closed the public testimony at 7:13 p.m.
Commissioner Discussion ensued.
Motion by Commissioner Burrows, seconded by Commissioner Fitzgerald to adopt Resolution Nos.
7564 & 7465 as presented by staff. Motion carried, 6/0/1 .(Merz-Absent)
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:
3. 2026 Commission Appointments -1) A resolution of the Planning Commission of the City of
Carlsbad, California, appointing a Chair to preside at all Planning Commission meetings;
2) A resolution of Planning Commission of the City of Carlsbad, California, appointing a Vice
Chair to preside at all Planning Commission meetings in the Chair's absence. (Staff Contact:
Eric Lardy, Community Development)
Assistant Director of Community Development, Eric Lardy, introduced the item and noted that there
are no members of the public in attendance wishing to speak on the item.
Chair Meenes expressed that with one commissioner absent, he prefers the vote be postponed to the
next meeting.
Motion by Commissioner Burrows, seconded by Commissioner Fitzgerald, to move this item to a date
certain of Feb. 18, 2026. Motion carried, 6/0/1. (Merz-Absent)
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.
None.
STAFF COMMENTS:
City Planner, Eric Lardy, reviewed the upcoming Planning Commission tentative schedule of upcoming
projects.
ADJOURNMENT: 7:18 P.M .
Administrative Secretary