HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-04-06; Traffic Safety and Mobility Commission; Minutes; Regular SessionTRAFFIC SAFETY & MOBILITY COMMISSION Council Chamber
Ml• nutes 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive
Carlsbad, CA 92008
April 6, 2026, 4 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER: 4:01 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Coelho, Penseyres, Kohl, Nicholes.
Absent: Proulx, Newlands, Schuck.
INVOCATION: None.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Chair Coelho led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioner Proulx joined the meeting at 4:02 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Minutes of the Regular Meeting held on March 2, 2026.
Motion by Commissioner Kohl, seconded by Vice-Chair Penseyres Newlands, to approve the
minutes of the Regular Meeting held on March 2, 2026, as stated. Motion carried, 4/1/2 (Nicholes
-Abstain; Newlands, Schuck -Absent).
PRESENTATIONS: None.
Mike Prince expressed concern with limited parking in the Terramar area and recommended
permitted parking.
Paul MacManus expressed concern with limited parking in the Terramar area.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Motion by Vice-Chair Penseyres, seconded by Commissioner Kohl, to approve Consent Calendar
Item No. 1. Motion carried, 5/0/2 (Newlands, Schuck -Absent).
1. TRAFFIC CALMING PLAN FOR UNICORNIO STREET: Support staff's recommendation to the City
Council to approve the Traffic Calming Plan for Unicornio Street as part of Capital
Improvement Program, or CIP, Project No. 6070. (Staff Contact: Miriam Jim and Eduardo
Martinez, Public Works Department)
PUBLIC HEARING: None.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:
2. OVERVIEW OF THE CLEAN MOBILITY CHARGING MASTER PLAN: Receive a presentation on the
city's plan to develop a Clean Mobility Charging Master Plan. (Staff Contact: Nick Gorman and
Kylie Martin, Public Works Department)
April 6, 2026 Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission Regular Meeting Page 2
Recommended Action: Receive the presentation.
Associate Engineer Nick Gorman and Technical Assistant Kylie Martin reviewed a
PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk).
The Commission received the presentation.
In response to Commissioner Kohl's inquiry regarding funding, Associate Engineer
Gorman responded that funding options would be explored as a part of the study.
In response to Commissioner Kohl's inquiry regarding whether users would incur a fee for
utilizing the charging station, Associate Engineer Gorman responded that it would need
looked into as part of the study.
In response to Commissioner Kohl's inquiry regarding market competition, Associate
Engineer Gorman explained that the broader objective is to expand charging
infrastructure throughout the city to support greater adoption of electric vehicle (EV)
travel.
In response to Chair Coelho's inquiry regarding the Climate Action Plan (CAP), Senior
Program Manager Katie Hentrich responded that Exhibit 1 of the staff report contains the
CAP section outlining the update to the EV siting plan.
In response to Commissioner Proulx's inquiry regarding whether the city charges fees for
its existing chargers, Deputy City Manager, Public Works Paz Gomez confirmed that fees
are incurred for non-city vehicles.
In response to Chair Coelho's inquiry regarding what staff anticipate the study will
provide, Associate Engineer Gorman explained that the goal is to identify 10 to 15 near-
term priority locations with site specific recommendations and potential grant
opportunities.
In response to Chair Coelho's inquiry regarding the feasibility of city-owned charging
stations on private property, Associate Engineer Gorman stated that additional
consultation with the City Attorney's Office would be required.
In response to Commissioner Proulx's inquiry regarding zoning, Associate Engineer
Gorman confirmed zoning would be an element determined through the study.
In response to Commissioner Proulx's inquiry regarding whether EV charging stations are
required for new developments, Senior Program Manager Hentrich explained that there
are requirements both within the state and city building codes that require EV charging
infrastructure.
April 6, 2026 Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission Regular Meeting Page 3
3. OPTIONS FOR THE TERRAMAR AREA COASTAL IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT: Provide feedback
and recommend a preferred option for the Terramar Area Coastal Improvements Project.
(Staff Contact: Tom Frank, Public Works Department)
Recommended Action: Provide feedback and recommend a preferred option.
Transportation Director/City Engineer Tom Frank reviewed a PowerPoint presentation
(on file in the Office of the City Clerk).
The Commission received the presentation.
Carol Scurlock spoke against adding sidewalks on Carlsbad Boulevard while expressing
support for repaving the road.
Jonnie Johnson spoke against adding sidewalks on Carlsbad Boulevard.
Bob Pritchard spoke against adding sidewalks on Carlsbad Boulevard while expressing
support for the resurfacing and restriping of the roadway. He expressed concerns about
the existing pavement conditions of nearby streets and safety when making right turns
from Carlsbad Boulevard onto Shore Drive with bicyclists on Carlsbad Boulevard not
stopping at the red light at Cannon Rd.
Mike Prince spoke against adding sidewalks on Carlsbad Boulevard except along the
portion between Tierra Del Oro and Cannon Rd where parking is restricted. He expressed
concern with the current condition of the beach access staircase. He recommended that
the crosswalk on the south side of the intersection of Cerezo Drive and Carlsbad Boulevard
be moved to the north side of the intersection to enhance traffic flow.
Jack Diehl expressed that he was neutral on the addition of sidewalks on Carlsbad
Boulevard and requested additional information regarding the project.
Alison Smith expressed concern with speeding and pedestrian safety along Carlsbad
Boulevard.
Thomas Hua rte expressed concerns regarding privacy, noise and safety if sidewalks were
to be constructed.
Kathleen Steindlberger spoke against adding sidewalks on Carlsbad Boulevard.
William Sides expressed concern with the beach access staircase. He also expressed
concern with the pedestrian crosswalk at the south entrance of Shore Drive and
recommended a raised crosswalk to slow down cars.
Mitch Silverstein spoke against adding sidewalks on Carlsbad Boulevard.
April 6, 2026 Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission Regular Meeting Page 4
Susan Hollander spoke against adding sidewalks on Carlsbad Boulevard. She expressed
concern with the environmental impact that increasing access has had on the bluff.
Paul MacManus expressed concern with speeding along Carlsbad Boulevard.
In response to Commissioner Nicholes' inquiry regarding the concerns with the current
roadway configuration, Transportation Director/City Engineer Frank explained City
Council had provided direction for staff to look into options and solicit community input.
He further explained that installing a sidewalk would provide ADA-compliant pedestrian
access.
Commissioner Nicholes spoke against adding sidewalks on Carlsbad Boulevard.
Commissioner Kohl spoke against adding sidewalks on Carlsbad Boulevard.
In response to Commissioner Proulx's inquiry regarding the need for improvements,
Deputy City Manager, Public Works Paz Gomez provided historical project background for
the area and how this project has evolved.
Commissioner Proulx spoke against adding sidewalks on Carlsbad Boulevard.
In response to Vice-Chair Penseyres' inquiry regarding the requests to reduce the existing
width of the travel lanes, Transportation Director/City Engineer Frank explained that the
options presented for consideration propose maintaining 10-foot vehicular lanes with 8-
foot bike lanes.
In response to Vice-Chair Penseyres' inquiry regarding the feasibility of installing speed
humps, Transportation Director/City Engineer Frank explained that any type of
improvement to the roadway would need to be reviewed by the Transportation Review
Committee.
In response to Vice-Chair Penseyres' inquiry regarding whether curbs and gutters would
also need to be installed if sidewalks were added, Transportation Director/City Engineer
Frank explained that they would not be required but that installing them is standard
practice since they help prevent erosion.
Vice-Chair Penseyres spoke against adding sidewalks on Carlsbad Boulevard.
In response to Commissioner Proulx's inquiry regarding the necessity of resurfacing and
restriping Carlsbad Boulevard, Transportation Director/City Engineer Frank confirmed
that the current pavement conditions warrant resurfacing and restriping.
Motion by Chair Coelho, seconded by Commissioner Proulx, to recommend City Council
proceed with resurfacing and restriping with no sidewalks on Carlsbad Boulevard with the
added direction to consider a secondary project for the Terramar area after the NRG
April 6, 2026 Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission Regular Meeting Page S
agreement is completed to identify potential parking opportunities on NRG property
north of Cannon Road and coordinate with State Parks on the bluff area. Motion carried,
5/0/2 (Newlands, Schuck -Absent).
COMMISSION COMMENTARY AND REQUESTS FOR CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS:
Commissioner Nicholes requested street repair of the bike lane along Poinsettia Lane in front of
Aviara Community Park that is lifting due to tree roots growing from the park.
In response to Chair Coelho's inquiry regarding who is responsible for sidewalk repairs in front of
apartment buildings or communities, Deputy City Manager, Public Works Paz Gomez responded
that California State law states that the abutting property owner would be responsible, but the
city typically takes responsibility in the right of way.
In response to Commissioner Proulx's inquiry regarding who is responsible for the stairs near the
Terramar Area, Transportation Director/City Engineer Tom Frank responded that the adjacent
property owner is responsible for the maintenance of the stairs and that he would forward
related articles.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: This section of the Agenda is designated for announcements to advise the
community regarding events that Members of the Commission have been invited to, and may
participate in. No announcements were made.
STAFF COMMENTS: No staff comments were made.
ADJOURNMENT: 5:51 p.m.