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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-11-18; Planning Commission; MinutesPLANNING COMMISSION Minutes City Council Chamber 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive Carlsbad, CA 92008 Nov. 18, 2020 CALL TO ORDER: 3:00 p.m. ROLL CALL: Anderson, Geidner, Lafferty, Luna, Meenes, and Stine Commissioner Merz absent APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion by Commissioner Geidner, seconded by Commissioner Meenes to table the minutes to the next scheduled meeting of Dec. 2, 2020. Motion carried 6/0/1 (Commissioner Merz). PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT LISTED ON THE AGENDA: None PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING: Chair Anderson directed everyone's attention to the slide on the screen to review the procedures the Commission would be following for that evening's public hearing. Chair Anderson opened the public hearing for Item 1. 1. AMEND 2017-0012/CT 2017-0003/PUD 2017-0004/SDP 2018-0018 (DEV2017-0178) -LA COSTA TOWN SQUARE PARCEL 3 RESIDENTIAL -A recommendation for approval of a Master Plan Amendment, Tentative Tract Map, Planned Development Permit and Site Development Plan to allow for the subdivision of a 7.2 acre parcel into two lots, o~e with 76 townhomes and one with 19 affordable condominiums, including development standards modifications, on property generally located north of the intersection of Calle Timiteo and La Costa Avenue, within the La Costa Master Plan, Neighborhood SE-13B, in the Southeast Quadrant of the city and Local Facilities Management Zone 11. The City Planner has determined that the potential environmental effects of the project were adequately analyzed by the previously certified Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) for the construction of La Costa Town Square (EIR 01-02). City Planner Neu introduced· Agenda Item 1 and stated Senior Planner Goff would make the staff presentation (on file in the Planning Division). DISCLOSURES: Commissioner Meenes, Luna, Anderson and Stine, disclosed they visited and walked the site. Commissioner Lafferty disclosed she visited and walked the site and reviewed the Geotechnical and Environmental Impact reports. Planning Commission Minutes Nov. 18, 2020 Page2 Commissioner Geidner disclosed she visited the site, walked the site, reviewed the EIR, looked at the site on google earth, and reviewed CEQA for the law on addendums and supplemental EIRs. Carlos Palafox, representative of TRC, the applicant and owners of the property, gave a presentation on the project. He stated the team is available to answer any questions. Chair Anderson asked if there were any members of the public who wished to speak on the project. She opened public testimony at 3:40 p.m. North County Advocates submitted comments stating that additional park/open space is required, according to the General Plan in the southeast quadrant with the addition of the residential units being proposed. Steve Linke, resident, submitted comments with concerns about the traffic study published with the original Environmental Impact Report. He stated the Environmental Impact Report is old and used the old Carlsbad level of service methods that have since been abandoned. He stated a new VMT analysis and level of service based Local Mobility Analysis consistent with the new TIA and VMT guidelines should be conducted. He suggested some mitigation measures be explored, such as upgrading the intersection control to a roundabout, installation of a dedicated right turn lane and upgrading amenities at the nearby bus stop. Chair Anderson asked if there were any additional members of the public who wished to speak on the project. Seeing none, she closed public testimony at 3:45 p.m. DISCUSSION: City Planner Neu explained the analysis process for open space/parks and stated the city does have adequate parks acreage for the zone including the demand from the proposed project. Commissioner Geidner shared concerns about the original EIR and traffic mitigations that have not been completed. She stated the traffic study is from 2005 and at the time the EIR was approved, traffic was found to be significant. She stated she is having a hard time making the findings that the data in the EIR do not support. She is concerned the pedestrian connection is not being implemented that was part of the original approval. She stated that_ she would like to see something equivalent offered for the mitigation that is not being implemented. Engineering Manager Geldert explained that two studies were conducted to mo.nitor the need of an . additional signal and both deemed that the signal was not needed.-The requirement has ~ow expired. · City Planner Neu stated that since the original shopping center was approved, there have been administrative changes approved that permitted the shopping center design to differ from the original approval. Assistant City Attorney Kemp stated that the city would not require a traffic signal to be installed if it was not warranted. Commissioner Lafferty shared concerns about loosing units on the site and providing affordable housing. She stated concern that only the minimum density was met. She stated she would like to see a transition element between the residential area and the commercial area. She stated she thinks the plan is outdated noting 9 dead ends and does no comply with policy 66. Planning Commission Minutes Nov. 18; 2020 Page 3 City Planner Neu explained some aspects of Growth Management, State Housing laws and stated the project meets the standards. Chair Anderson stated some concerns about safety and the wall that runs along the back of the commercial area down into the proposed residential area. She would like to see the Bougainvillea on the lot be preserved as well. Commissioner Luna shared concerns about the reduced active recreation areas and the location of the affordable housing. Commissioners Meenes and Stine agree that projects can always be better, however this project meets the standards and can support the project. ACTION: Motion by Commissioner Stine, seconded by Commissioner Meenes, to adopt Resolution No. 7390 and 7391. Motion tied, 3/3/1 (Commissioner Geidner, Lafferty, and Luna no, Commissioner Merz absent). The item will be considered at the Dec. 2, 2020 meeting. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORTS/COMMENTS: None CITY PLANNER REPORTS: None CITY ATTORNEY REPORTS: None ADJOURNMENT: Chair Anderson adjourned the duly noticed meeting at 5:22 p.m. Melissa Flores -Minutes Clerk