HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-10-26; Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Fee Committee Ad Hoc; ; Carltas Company – AGP 13-04(A) Request
AGRICULTURAL CONVERSION MITIGATION FEE (ACMF)
AD HOC CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Staff Contact:
Pam Drew, Associate Planner, Community & Economic Development
760-602-4644 pam.drew@carlsbadca.gov
Agenda Item: #6
Subject: Carltas Company – AGP 13-04(A) Request
Meeting Date: October 26, 2017
Exhibits:
6.1 Chris Calkins, President, Carltas Company, is requesting that the Committee recommend to the
City Council the reallocation of $162,833.53 awarded for the Floral Trade Center Project (AGP 13-
04), to three different projects, as the construction of the Floral Trade has been delayed for
various reasons. The three projects are: 1) installation of an automatic, sensor-controlled
irrigation network and micro-sprinklers to more effectively irrigate and reduce overall water
usage; 2) installation of an adjustable synthetic shade covering to reduce impacts from extreme
heat; and 3) the acquisition of a generator and retrofit of two coolers for cut flowers and harvest
food crops to provide adequate cooler capacity during harvest periods.
One of the four categories for allowable uses for agricultural mitigation fees is for ancillary uses
necessary for the continued production of agriculture in the city’s coastal zone. The three projects
listed above are consistent with ancillary uses for improving agricultural operations.
6.2 2013 Grant Application (AGP 13-04)
6.3 2013 Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Fee Grant Funding Agreement (AGP 13-04)
Carltas Company
Request for Grant modification- Floral trade Center and Marketplace Project
AGP 13-04—Floral Trade Center Improvements
October 5, 2017
Pursuant to the recommendation of the advisory committee, the Carlsbad City Council approved a series
of grants, directed at enhancing the long term sustainability of agriculture in the area designated for
agriculture proximate to Cannon road. Carlsbad Ranch Company, the original grantee and a subsidiary of
Carltas Company, has been merged with Carltas so this request and subsequent reports will be from
Carltas.
As previously reported, the project envisioned the addition of specialty food crops to the existing floral
production, coupled with a series of facilities for distribution of onsite production, as well as the
translation from farm to table products, in an environment analogous to the Flower Fields. In doing so,
the project is intended to increase the value of the production, to enhance the access of the Carlsbad
community and its visitors to the agricultural areas and experience, and to create a lively place for
engagement with agricultural production.
The project, now named North 40 Urban Farm, was introduced on our website
at http://www.carlsbadnorth40.com.
As we reported last year, we had held up proceeding with construction of the project as we worked to
better align the mix of tenants and costs of infrastructure and operation. The issues presented are
difficult and require some major redesign.
We are requesting a reallocation of the AGP 13-04 ($162,833.53) from the Floral Trade Center Project to
support 3 projects required for the field growing and post- harvest operations. We continue to
experience delays in proceeding with the original project, and increasing needs for the flower growing
and new food product post- harvest handling are more urgent. Modifying the grant to support the items
listed below will accomplish similar objectives as the original elements in preserving the floral industry
presence in Carlsbad, and enhance the food crop productivity and handling.
Exhibit 6.1
The specific programs and the amount allocable to each are as follows:
1. Water Management for production. The costs and scarcity of water is a major challenge to the
continued field production. We propose funding to reduce water usage by 15-20% by installing
an automatic, sensor- controlled irrigation network based on Decagon Devices, Inc., PlantPoint
Technology, along with a significant savings in labor now required for our manual irrigation
system (project cost- $58,000). As a second part of this program we propose to install micro-
sprinklers that will more effectively irrigate and reduce overall usage. The sprinklers required for
initial installation for 40 acres will require funding for approximately $36,000 in materials.
2. Heat Impact management. Production of an early floral crop (produced for sale in the fall) with
planting in early summer is crucial to the economic value of the crop, and its advantage from
our location. However extreme heat often encountered for 1-3 weeks from mid-August to Mid-
September have repeatedly prevented production success. We have tested a system utilizing an
adjustable shade covering using AG70 (a woven synthetic) as a means of mitigating the impact.
We propose to install a system for 10 acres of production that will have an adjustable shade
structure. (project cost-$25,000)
3. Cooler for cut flowers and harvested food crops. We have had limited facilities to store cut
flowers and harvested food crops, with a concomitant impact on inventory which we can deliver
for sale. We propose to refit 2 containers and acquire a generator which will provide for
adequate cooler capacity during harvest periods. (project estimated cost-$50,000)
The aggregate for these projects ($169,000) exceeds the original grant, and additional costs for labor are
not included. However as with the earlier grant (which was less than the full project cost) we propose to
fund any costs above the grant award.
All projects will be completed by June 30, 2018.
Exhibit 6.2
Exhibit 6.3