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Home My WebLink AboutPRE 2026-0023; LUCIERNAGA TWIN HOMES; Admin Decision LetterJune 8, 2026 Murtaza Bahrami 3216 Rancho Campanero Carlsbad, CA 92009 SUBJECT: PRE 2026-0023 (DEV2026-0037) -LUCIERNAGA TWIN HOMES APN 215-310-05-00 {cityof Carlsbad Thank you for submitting a preliminary review application to subdivide a vacant lot into two lots and develop the lots with an attached two-story twin home, with each lot sharing one common property line (i.e., "zero lot line") and one common wall. The approximately 0.25-acre (11,177 square feet) site is located on the north side Luciernaga Street, west of the intersection with Corintia Street, and outside of the Coastal Zone. In response to your application, the Planning Division has prepated 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. Planning: General 1. General Plan and zoning designations for the property are as follows: a. General Plan: R-8, Residential 4-8 du/ac b. Zoning: R-2, Two-Family Residential c. Master Plan: La Costa Master Plan (MP 149), R-2 designation 2. The project requires the following permits: a. Minor Subdivision (MS, 4 or fewer units/lots) b. Planned Unit Development {PD) to construct a twin home on individual lots. The City Planner is the decision-making authority for the above-noted administrative permits. 3. Density. The proposal to develop the property with two dwellings has a proposed density of 8 dwelling units per acre {du/ac) and is therefore consistent with the R-8 General Plan Land Use Designation, which permits a density range of 4-8 du/ac. • Community Development Department Planning Division I 1635 Faraday Avenue I Carlsbad, CA 92008-7314 I 442-339-2600 PRE 2026-0024 (DEV2026-0037) – LUCIERNAGA TWIN HOMES June 8, 2026 Page 2 __________________________ Community Development Department Planning Division 1635 Faraday Avenue  Carlsbad, CA 92008-7314  442-339-2600 4. Citywide Objective Design Standards. Subject to the Carlsbad Municipal Code (CMC) Section 21.88, all projects that propose two or more attached dwelling units require compliance with the city’s Objective Design Standards (ODS) standards. The Citywide ODS apply to this project. The below-linked Objective Design Standards Manual Compliance Checklist is required with a formal submittal. As elevations have not been submitted, compliance with the ODS cannot be verified at this time. Citywide Objective Design Standards Manual Compliance Checklist: https://www.carlsbadca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/15323/638411703853170000 Citywide Objective Design Standards Manual: https://www.carlsbadca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/13768/638860217609330000 5. Development Standards. Per CMC Section 21.45, Planned Developments, objective development standards that are not addressed by ODS for twin-family homes must be met. This includes building height, yards and setbacks, and lot size. Please see link to CMC Section 21.45 for additional information: https://ecode360.com/44010002 6. Setbacks. Pursuant to CMC Section 21.45.070, the following setbacks apply to the lot: a. Front: Luciernaga St – Setbacks from a direct entry garage must observe a 20-foot setback from the front property line. The front yard setback currently complies. b. Interior side yards: One side yard - 0 feet (the side yard where the dwellings on each lot are attached). The other side yard setback shall be at least 20% of the lot width and shall not exceed 20 feet. The proposal does not currently comply with this requirement. c. Rear: This property is considered a “through lot” due to it having frontage on both Alga Rd and Luciernaga Rd. Therefore, the rear lot line will also need to observe a front yard setback of 20 feet. The project is currently complying with this setback, but the rear setback requirement needs to be relabeled on the plans to 20 feet. 7. Minimum Lot Size and Width. Pursuant to CMC Section 21.45.070, the following lot size and width apply: a. Lot size: The minimum lot area for twin homes is 3,750 square feet per lot. It appears the proposed lot size is approximately 5,500 square feet, which would meet this standard, but is not clearly dimensioned. Please include the square footage of each lot and plot the parcel line separating the units on the site plan. b. Lot width: Twin home projects require a lot width of a minimum of 35 feet per lot. It appears the proposed width is approximately 42 feet, which would meet this standard, but is not clearly dimensioned. Please include this measurement on the site plan. 8. Private Recreation Space. Pursuant to CMC Section 21.45.070, Table D, Ref. No. D.11, the following private recreational space requirements apply: PRE 2026-0024 (DEV2026-0037) – LUCIERNAGA TWIN HOMES June 8, 2026 Page 3 __________________________ Community Development Department Planning Division 1635 Faraday Avenue  Carlsbad, CA 92008-7314  442-339-2600 a. Minimum total area per unit: 400 square feet (may consist of more than one recreational space). The project is currently meeting this requirement. b. Minimum dimension of recreational space: 15 feet. The project is currently meeting this requirement. c. Required private recreational space shall be located at ground level and designed so as to be functional, usable, and easily accessible from the dwelling it is intended to serve, and shall not have a slope gradient greater than 5%. The project is currently meeting this requirement. d. Required private recreational space shall not be located within front yard setback areas, and may not include any driveways, parking areas, storage areas, or walkways (except those walkways that are clearly integral to the design of the recreation area). The project is currently meeting this requirement. 9. Parking. Pursuant to CMC Section 21.45.070, the following parking requirement must be met: a. Two spaces per unit, provided as either: i. A two-car garage (minimum 20 feet by 20 feet), or ii. Two separate one-car garages (minimum 12 feet by 20 feet each) b. The project is currently meeting this requirement. 10. Height. Building height is determined by the underlying zone, Two-Family Residential (R-2). The R-2 zone allows a maximum height of 30+ feet and two stories if a minimum roof pitch of 3:12 is provided, or 24 feet and two stories if less than a 3:12 roof pitch is provided for lots under 20,000 square feet. As no elevations were provided, compliance cannot be verified. 11. Lot Coverage. Pursuant to CMC Section 21.45.070, Table D, Ref. No. D.3, maximum lot coverage is determined based on the number of stories of the proposed residences. Since the minimum lot size for the project as proposed is 3,750 square feet, the applicable lot coverage is 45%. Based on the submitted plan, an approximately 1,980 square foot pad area on an approximate 5,550 square foot lot (per twin home) is approximately 35%, which would meet the requirement. This is only an estimate and would need to be clearly labeled and the calculation confirmed in future submittals. 12. Inclusionary Housing. Please be aware that the proposal to create two units will require the payment of an inclusionary housing in-lieu fee prior to recording the final map. The current fee is $18 per square foot of net livable area (i.e., excluding garages). Please see link to the city’s Informational Bulletin below for more information. IB-157, Inclusionary Housing Program: https://www.carlsbadca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/9634/638938058103500000 13. Landscape Plan. A conceptual landscape plan shall be submitted with the project application in compliance with the city's Landscape Manual and the standards set in the Objective Design Standards Manual. Please note that the Parks Department may have additional requirements. Landscape Manual: https://www.carlsbadca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/11160/637985942877070000 PRE 2026-0024 (DEV2026-0037) – LUCIERNAGA TWIN HOMES June 8, 2026 Page 4 __________________________ Community Development Department Planning Division 1635 Faraday Avenue  Carlsbad, CA 92008-7314  442-339-2600 14. Noise Analysis. The subject parcel is located within the 60-65 and 65-70 dB(A) CNEL noise contour lines of the Future Noise Contour Map. All residential lots and dwellings are to be sound attenuated against present and projected roadway noise, which shall be the sum of all noise impacting the project, so as not to exceed an exterior standard of 60 dB(A) CNEL (see Noise Measurement Location in the Definitions Section for the description of Noise Measurement Location) in outdoor living areas and an interior standard of 45 dB(A) CNEL in all habitable rooms. Please submit a noise analysis of the project’s consistency with the General Plan and Noise Guidelines Manual. Noise Guidelines Manual: https://www.carlsbadca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/238/637425974092370000 General Plan, Noise Element: https://www.carlsbadca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/3426/637434861102600000 15. New requirements related to the city’s goals to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions will likely impact development requirements of this project. A formal application submittal will need to include a completed Climate Action Plan Checklist (Form P-30) to determine what requirements will apply to the project. New GHG reduction requirements are related to energy efficiency, photovoltaic, electric vehicle charging, water heating and traffic demand management requirements, as set forth in the California Green Building Standards Code and in Carlsbad Municipal Code Sections 18.21, 18.30 and 18.51 which is available on the city’s website at the following address: http://www.qcode.us/codes/carlsbad/view.php?topic=18&frames=on To the extent that new GHG reduction requirements are in effect at the time of application for grading or building permits, the project will be required to comply with the effective requirements even if different than what is proposed in the project’s planning approvals. GHG reduction Noise Co n o rs Fu ureTrans-Noise-Contour .2035 • ransi Noise Co our 60-65 C E 65-70 C IE ■ 70..-CNEL PRE 2026-0024 (DEV2026-0037) – LUCIERNAGA TWIN HOMES June 8, 2026 Page 5 __________________________ Community Development Department Planning Division 1635 Faraday Avenue  Carlsbad, CA 92008-7314  442-339-2600 requirements may impact, but are not limited to, site design and local building code requirements. If incorporating new GHG reduction requirements results in substantial modifications to the project after planning approvals are obtained, then prior to issuance of grading or building permits, the applicant may be required to submit and receive approval of a Consistency Determination or an Amendment application for the project through the Planning Division. All necessary application forms, submittal requirements, and fee information are available at the Planning counter located in the Faraday Building at 1635 Faraday Avenue or online at https://www.carlsbadca.gov/departments/community-development/planning. You may also access the General Plan Land Use Element and the Zoning Ordinance online at the website address shown. Please review all information carefully before submitting. Land Development Engineering: 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 stormwater mitigation must be completed to satisfy state and city stormwater quality requirements. The questionnaire is located on the City of Carlsbad website. The plans do not show driveway improvements, sidewalk replacement to current standards (6-ft sidewalk), or any other potential patios, walkways, etc. If the project creates 10,000 square feet or more of impervious surfaces collectively over the entire project site, a Storm Water Quality Management plan will need to be prepared and submitted with the grading plan submittal. 2. Project plans shall show all source and site design BMPs on the conceptual grading and drainage plans. 3. Provide a Preliminary Title Report (current within the last six (6) months). 4. 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. 5. A Preliminary Hydrology Study, including map and calculations, is required to demonstrate the capacity/sizing of proposed and existing storm drain infrastructure. Show 100-year storm hydrologic calculations before and after development for each drainage basin. 6. A preliminary geotechnical report is required to evaluate the feasibility of the project and the extent of earthwork (cut, fill, remedial grading). Guidelines for preliminary geotechnical studies are available on the City of Carlsbad Engineering website through the following link: https://www.carlsbadca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/326/638054006747270000. 7. Grading quantities are not shown on the preliminary review site plan submitted. Please note, per CMC15.16.060 this project will likely require a grading permit and grading plan. 8. A separate improvement plan for work within the right-of-way is required for this project. The improvements include but are not limited to: removal and replacement of existing water service, PRE 2026-0024 (DEV2026-0037) – LUCIERNAGA TWIN HOMES June 8, 2026 Page 6 __________________________ Community Development Department Planning Division 1635 Faraday Avenue  Carlsbad, CA 92008-7314  442-339-2600 trench repair/AC resurfacing, ADA compliant driveway and replacement of existing sidewalk to 6- ft sidewalk as per current Engineering Standards. 9. This project shall utilize City of Carlsbad Survey Control Network established on Record of Survey Map 17271, NAD83, Zone VI, 1991.35 Epoch for horizontal control and NGVD 29 datum for vertical control per City of Carlsbad Engineering Standards. 10. Delineate and annotate the limits of grading. 11. Delineate and annotate approximate topographic contours for existing and proposed condition. Provide 1-foot contours for slopes less than 5%; 2-foot intervals for slopes between 5% and 10%, and 5-foot intervals for slopes over 10%. Extend contours a minimum 25 feet beyond the project boundary. 12. On the site plan, show and identify all existing surface improvements screened back (curb, gutter, sidewalk, paving, manholes, inlets, street lights, adjacent driveways, vaults, transformers, etc.) at the project site, project frontage and within 25 feet of the boundary. Utilize La Costa Meadows Unit 2 record drawings available on the city’s website: DWG 172-6 (Public Improvements) and DWG 172-6A (Grading). 13. Delineate location of all existing and proposed buildings, walls, fences and permanent structures onsite and within 25 feet of the site. 14. Indicate the earthwork quantities (cut, fill, import, export, remedial) proposed for the project in cubic yards. 15. Provide spot elevations at the corners of pad in the proposed condition. Include finish pad and floor elevations. 16. Provide the method of draining lot. Unless otherwise specified by a geotechnical engineer, method of drainage shall comply with California Building Code (latest version) section 1804.4. 17. Delineate all walls that will be utilized on the project site and show top of wall and bottom of wall elevations, including at the highest and lowest points. Walls are measured from bottom of footing to top of wall and maximum height measured from finish surface to top of wall. 18. Provide a cross section to show the existing and proposed ground, the proposed wall, the footing and remedial excavation. 19. The project frontage has been identified in the city’s inventory as a vacant planting site. Coordinate with the parks and recreation department for planting requirements per Section 11.12 of the Carlsbad Municipal Code for additional information. 20. Provide typical street cross sections for existing frontage streets (Luciernaga St and Alga Rd). Provide existing right-of-way width and existing improvements and proposed improvements and dedications. PRE 2026-0024 (DEV2026-0037) – LUCIERNAGA TWIN HOMES June 8, 2026 Page 7 __________________________ Community Development Department Planning Division 1635 Faraday Avenue  Carlsbad, CA 92008-7314  442-339-2600 21. Delineate and annotate all proposed driveways and driveway widths. 22. Show all existing and proposed utilities and callout size for: water, sewer, storm drain, underground dry utilities, overhead lines, traffic signals, street lights in Luciernaga St and laterals affecting the property. 23. Replace existing water service with a new PVC tee, meter and backflow per CMWD standard drawing W-5. 24. Provide multiple cross-sections of the site to demonstrate differences in grade from adjacent properties, existing and proposed grades on-site, fences and location of structures on-site and on adjacent properties. 25. Coordinate with Leucadia Wastewater District since the proposed development is located within their district for sewer service. This project will require their written approval. 26. Please be advised that a more in-depth review of the proposed development will occur with the permit application when a more complete design of the project is provided. Building: 1. New building is located in a Fire Hazard Severity Zone or Wildland Urban Interface Fire area shall comply with 2025 CA WUI Code. Please note that building construction shall be in compliance with Chapter 5. 2. Provide a completed Climate Action Plan (CAP) Consistency Checklists (city form B-50). Address all elements on the plans. Fire: 1. Parcel is located in a mapped High FHSZ. On the title sheet, please add a reference to another applicable code: 2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code. 2. Dwellings shall be sprinklered throughout. 3. Fire department access is OK. 4. Defensible space is not required for this property mapped in the High FHSZ. Public Works/Utilities: 1. Provide updated Civil Site Plan indicating utility connection locations, meter and backflow sizes, and piping arrangements detailed up to the back flow preventers based on approved plumbing and fire flow demands. All connections to the public utilities shall be detailed on plans in accordance with current city engineering standards. a. Plumbing analysis and Fire Department approved fire flow requirements shall be used to determine the size(s) and number of potable water utility connections that are required. b. Separate dedicated domestic potable water services for each unit. PRE 2026-0024 (DEV2026-0037) – LUCIERNAGA TWIN HOMES June 8, 2026 Page 8 __________________________ Community Development Department Planning Division 1635 Faraday Avenue  Carlsbad, CA 92008-7314  442-339-2600 2.Proposed Ground floor layout shall preserve suitable locations and space for all required utility connections, meters, and backflow devices in conformance with current Engineering Standards. Identify locations and detail fire service, water, irrigation, and sewer connections at property line for the new development in compliance with current Carlsbad Engineering Design Standards. 3.Project is within Leucadia Wastewater District. Submit plans with Leucadia Wastewater District for sewer review. All necessary application forms, submittal requirements, and fee information are available at the Planning counter located in the Faraday Building at 1635 Faraday Avenue or online at https://www.carlsbadca.gov/departments/community-development/planning/planning-applications- forms. You may also access the General Plan Land Use Element and the Zoning Ordinance online at the website address shown; select Department Listing; select Planning Home Page. Please review all information carefully before submitting. If you would like to schedule a meeting to discuss this letter with the commenting departments, please contact Mackenzie VanZyverden at the email below. You may also contact each department individually as follows: •Planning Division: Mackenzie VanZyverden, Assistant Planner, at Mackenzie.VanZyverden@CarlsbadCA.gov •Land Development Engineering: Linda Ontiveros, Associate Engineer, at Linda.Ontiveros@carlsbadca.gov •Building Division: Jesse Sanchzes, Building Official, at Jesse.Sanchez@Carlsbadca.gov •Fire and Life Safety Division: Darcy Davidson, Fire Chief, at Darcy.Davidson@Carlsbadca.gov •Public Works/Utilities: Zac Taylor, Associate Engineer CMWD, at Zac.Taylor@carlsbadca.gov Sincerely, ROBERT EFIRD, AICP Principal Planner RE:MV:cf c: Linda Ontiveros, Project Engineer Laserfische/File Copy Data Entry