HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-05-06; Planning Commission; Minutes; Regular SessionPLANNING COMMISSION
Minutes
May 6, 2026, 5 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER: 5:01 p.m.
)
Council Chamber
1200 Carlsbad Village Drive
Carlsbad, CA 92008
ROLL CALL: Hubinger, Merz, Lafferty, Fitzgerald, Burrows, Foster, Meenes
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Fitzgerald led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Minutes of the Regular Meeting held on April 15, 2026
Motion by Commissioner Burrows seconded by Commissioner Merz, to approve the Minutes as
presented Motion carried, 5/0/2 (Hubinger, Fitzgerald -Abstain).
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Carlsbad resident and Carlsbad Student leadership Academy Alumni, Jona Jansson requested the
Commission consider adding something for the community like a park and not more housing or
commercial buildings at the vacant land off Avenida Encinas and the Coast Highway.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. CARLSBAD BLVD DUPLEX PROJECT SDP 2023-028 -Adoption of a resolution of the Planning
Commission of Carlsbad, California approving a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
exemption determination and approving a Site Development Plan and Coastal Development
Permit to demolish an existing single-family residence and two, detached accessory
structures and the construction of a two-unit, three story, residential duplex on a 0.124-acre
lot at 3374 Carlsbad Blvd., within the Mello II Segment of the Local Coastal Program and Local
Facilities Management Zone 1.
ACTION TYPE: Quasi-Judicial
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Take public input, close the public hearing,
and adopt a Resolution.
PLANNER: Kyle Van Leeuwen ENGINEER: Jason Geldert
Chair Meenes opened the duly noticed public hearing on Item No. 1 at 5:07 p.m.
In response to Chair Meenes' request for ex parte on the item, Commissioners responded that
they were familiar with the site or had visited the site.
May 6, 2026 Carlsbad Planning Commission Meeting Page 2
Assistant Director of Community Development, Eric Lardy, presented the item and reviewed a
PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk).
Chair Meenes opened the Public Testimony at 5:14 p.m.
Seeing no one wishing to speak, Chair Meenes closed the Public Testimony at 5:14 p.m.
Motion by Commissioner Fitzgerald, seconded by Commissioner Hubinger, to adopt Resolution
No. 7576. Motion carried unanimously, 7 /0.
2. RINCON CVD -CT 2024-0007 /SDP 2024-0021/CDP 2024-0035 (DEV2024-0004) -Adoption of
a resolution of the Planning Commission of Carlsbad, California, recommending approval of a
CEQA determination for a Class 32 infill exemption, a Tentative Tract Map CT 2024-0007, Site
Development Plan SDP 2024-0022, and Coastal Development Permit CDP 2024-0035 to
demolish a vacant bank building and drive-through and construct a five-story, mixed-use
building consisting of 3,801 square feet of commercial space, 50 residential condominiums
and 50 covered parking spaces on a 0.72-acreproperty located at 840 Carlsbad Village Dr. in
the northwest quadrant of the City, the Village & Barrio Master Plan, and Local Facilities
Management Zone 1.
ACTION TYPE: Quasi-Judicial
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Take public input, close the public hearing,
and adopt a Resolution.
PLANNER: Edward Valenzuela ENGINEER: Jason Geldert
Chair Meenes opened the duly noticed public hearing on Agenda Item No. 2 at 5:15 p.m.
In response to Chair Meenes' request for ex parte on the item, Commissioners responded that
they were familiar with the site or had visited the site.
Assistant Director of Community Development, Eric Lardy, introduced Sr. Planner, Edward
Valenzuela, who reviewed a PowerPoint presentation on the item (on file in the Office of the City
Clerk).
Applicant Representative, Jonathan Frankel, Vice President of Forward Planning for Rincon
Homes, spoke on behalf of the project.
In response to Commissioner Foster's inquiry, Sr. Program Manager Nicole Piano Jones reviewed
the rules of low-income sales and explained that a deed restriction is recorded on the property
to ensure affordable ownership requirements remain in place and prevent units from being sold
at market rates. Ms. Piano Jones added that when a unit is resold, the City is notified and
establishes a new affordable sales price, qualifies a buyer, and records a new restriction,
continuing the process and establishes a new 55-year affordability period. State Density Bonus
Law limits ownership to eligible buyers or qualified nonprofit organizations, renting units is not
allowed, and the City retains a first right of refusal to purchase and resell units to qualified buyers.
She added the City monitors affordable properties to ensure compliance with occupancy
requirements and the recorded deed restrictions establish default provisions which allow the city
to take action on owners not in compliance.
May 6, 2026 -Carlsbad Planning Commission Meeting Page 3
Commissioner Merz's had an inquiry regarding the method used for determining the quantity of
parking spaces. Johnathan Frankel responded.
Commissioner Lafferty stated that the property could have architectural significance and
discussed consideration of Mills Act incentives.
Chair Meenes opened the Public Testimony at 6:04 p.m.
Seeing no one wishing to speak, Chair Meenes closed the Public Testimony at 6:04 p.m.
Chair Meenes called for a recess at 6:05 p.m. in order to provide the article that Commissioner
Lafferty referenced during the meeting, entitled "Historic Buildings Getting the Biggest Tax
Breaks" by Kristin Taketa from the San Diego Union Tribune March 22, 2026 publication, to the
Applicant and the Commissioners.
Chair Meenes reconvened the meeting at 6:10 p.m.
Assistant Director of Community Development, Eric Lardy, noted that there is a description that
delineates each type and size of unit being offered for this project contained in the proposed
resolution.
In response an inquiry by Commissioner Lafferty about underground parking, Engineering
Manager, Jason Geldert, indicated that there is nothing to preclude underground parking from a
geotechnical standpoint.
Commissioner Discussion ensued.
Motion by Commissioner Merz, seconded by Commissioner Fitzgerald, to adopt Resolution No.
7577. Motion carried, 6/1 (Lafferty-No}.
Chair Meenes closed the duly noticed public hearing at 6:23 p.m.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS: None.
COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTARY AND REQUESTS FOR CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS:
This portion of the agenda is for the Commission to make brief announcements, brief reports of
their activities and requests for future agenda items.
Commissioner Lafferty noted that the Historic Preservation Commission is meeting on Monday,
May 11, 2026, and inquired whether the City should consider creating a historic district in the
Village and Barrio, an area already covered by CEQA and environmental review.
STAFF COMMENTS: Assistant Director of Community Develo
upcoming, tentative schedule of projects for the Planning Co
ADJOURNMENT: 6:27 p.m.
Administrative Secretary