HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-01-21; Planning Commission; Resolution 65251 PLANNING COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 6525
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A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE
3 CITY OF CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING
APPROVAL OF SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT NO. 207(H)
4 TO ADD HOTEL AND ACCESSORY USES TO PLANNING
5 AREA 4 OF THE CARLSBAD RANCH SPECIFIC PLAN, TO
REVISE THE PARKING RATE FOR LEGOLAND AND GYMS
6 WITHIN THE CARLSBAD RANCH SPECIFIC PLAN, AND
CHANGE THE STREET NAME FROM HIDDEN VALLEY
7 ROAD TO THE CROSSINGS DRIVE ON PROPERTY
GENERALLY LOCATED NORTH OF PALOMAR AIRPORT
8 ROAD, SOUTH OF CANNON ROAD, EAST OF PASEO DEL
9 NORTE AND WEST OF THE CROSSINGS DRIVE IN THE
MELLO II SEGMENT OF THE LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM
10 AND IN LOCAL FACILITIES MANAGEMENT ZONE 13.
CASE NAME: LEGOLAND HOTEL CALIFORNIA
11 CASE NO.: SP 2Q7CH)
12 WHEREAS, Merlin Entertainment Group US Holdings, "Developer," and
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"Owner," has filed a verified application with the City of Carlsbad regarding property described
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as
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16 Lots 18 and 19 of Carlsbad Tract Map 94-09 Units 2 and 3, in
the City of Carlsbad, County of San Diego, State of California,
17 according to map thereof no. 13408, filed in the Office of the
County Recorder of San Diego, April 1, 1997 as file number
18 1997-147754
19 ("the Property"); and
20 WHEREAS, said verified application constitutes a request for a Specific Plan
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amendment on file in the Carlsbad Planning Department, LEGOLAND HOTEL
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CALIFORNIA - SP 207(H) as provided by SP 207(E) and Government Code Section 65453;
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25 WHEREAS, the proposed "LEGOLAND HOTEL CALIFORNIA- SP 207(H)"
26 is set forth and attached in the draft City Council Ordinance, Exhibit "SP 207(H)" dated,
27 January 21, 2009, and attached hereto; and
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WHEREAS, the Planning Commission did, on January 21, 2009, hold a duly
noticed public hearing as prescribed by law to consider said request; and
WHEREAS, at said public hearing, upon hearing and considering all testimony
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and arguments, if any, of all persons desiring to be heard, said Commission considered all factors
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relating to the Specific Plan amendment; and4
5 WHEREAS, on June 24, 2008, the City Council approved SP 207(G), as
5 described and conditioned in Planning Commission Resolution No. 6414 and City Council
7 Resolution Ordinance No. NS 893.
8 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the Planning
9 Commission of the City of Carlsbad as follows:
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A) That the foregoing recitations are true and correct.
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B) That based on the evidence presented at the public hearing, the Commission
12 RECOMMENDS APPROVAL of LEGOLAND HOTEL CALIFORNIA- SP
j 3 207(H) based on the following findings and subject to the following conditions:
14 Findings;
15 1. The proposed development as described by the Specific Plan (SP 207(H)) is consistent
. , with the provisions of the General Plan in that the General Plan Land Use designation
for Planning Area Four (Legoland) of the Carlsbad Ranch Specific Plan area is
17 Travel/Recreation Commercial (TR) and the TR designation allows uses such as
visitor attractions and commercial uses that serve the travel and recreational needs
18 of tourists, residents, and employees of the business and industrial centers. Such
uses are intended to be located near major transportation corridors or recreational
and resort areas. Hotel and accessory restaurant and retail uses to hotels are
2Q appropriate in the location proposed as they will serve the Legoland theme park and
are accessible from major circulation element roadways (Cannon Road and
21 Palomar Airport Road).
22 2. The proposed plan would not be detrimental to the public interest, health, safety,
convenience, or welfare of the City in that the proposed hotel and accessory hotel uses
are consistent with the existing Legoland theme park entertainment use and will not
24 impact the public interest, health, safety, convenience, or welfare of the City.
25 3. All necessary public facilities can be provided concurrent with need, and adequate
provisions have been provided to implement those portions of the capital improvement
26 program applicable to the subject property in that the project is served by existing
roads (Cannon Road, Palomar Airport Road, and The Crossings Drive) which
operate at acceptable levels of service with the proposed mitigation measures and all
2g other public facilities are in place or will be conditioned to be implemented
concurrent with the need for any future development of the site.
PC RESO NO. 6525 -2-
4. The proposed Travel/Recreational uses will be appropriate in area, location, and overall
2 design to the purpose intended. The design and development standards are such as to
create an environment of sustained desirability and stability. Such development will
3 meet performance standards established by this title in that development will be
required to comply with the development standards of the Carlsbad Ranch Specific
Plan which is found to be consistent with the various elements of the General Plan.
5. In the case of institutional, recreational, and other similar nonresidential uses, such
development will be proposed, and surrounding areas are protected from any adverse
effects from such development in that adequate buffer standards in the form of
7 required setbacks, physical barriers and landscaping have been incorporated into
the Specific Plan to accommodate the proposed hotel and accessory hotel uses.
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6. The streets and thoroughfares proposed are suitable and adequate to carry the anticipated
traffic thereon as there is not a present significant traffic increase associated with the
proposed hotel and accessory hotel uses and any additional traffic would not exceed
the capacities of the roadways utilized by the project. Cumulative traffic impacts
11 are associated with the proposed hotel project and the mitigation measures
proposed would reduce the 2030 buildout traffic impacts to an acceptable level of
12 service. The project does add additional traffic through the Palomar Airport Road
and Paseo del Norte intersection, which has been identified as impacted. Mitigation
in the form of a new right turn lane from eastbound Palomar Airport Road onto
14 south Paseo Del Norte would increase the service level of the intersection to an
acceptable level.
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7. Any proposed commercial development can be justified economically at the location
16 proposed and will provide adequate commercial facilities of the types needed at such
location proposed.
,o 8. The area surrounding the development is or can be planned and zoned in coordination
and substantial compatibility with the development.
19 9. Appropriate measures are proposed to mitigate any adverse environmental impact as
20 noted in the mitigated negative declaration and monitoring and reporting program for the
project.21
10. The Planning Commission has reviewed each of the exactions imposed on the Developer
contained in this resolution, and hereby finds, in this case, that the exactions are imposed
23 to mitigate impacts caused by or reasonably related to the project, and the extent and the
degree of the exaction is in rough proportionality to the impact caused by the project.
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Conditions:
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If any of the following conditions fail to occur, or if they are, by their terms, to be
2" implemented and maintained over time, if any of such conditions fail to be so
implemented and maintained according to their terms, the City shall have the right to
revoke or modify all approvals herein granted; deny or further condition issuance of all
28 future building permits; deny, revoke, or further condition all certificates of occupancy
issued under the authority of approvals herein granted; record a notice of violation on the
property title; institute and prosecute litigation to compel their compliance with said
PC RESO NO. 6525 -3-
conditions or seek damages for their violation. No vested rights are gained by Developer
2 or a successor in interest by the City's approval of this Specific Plan Amendment.
3 2. Staff is authorized and directed to make, or require Developer to make, all corrections
and modifications to the Specific Plan Amendment document(s) necessary to make
4 them internally consistent and in conformity with final action on the project.
Development shall occur substantially as shown in the approved Exhibits. Any proposed
development, different from this approval, shall require an amendment to this approval.
3. This project shall comply with all conditions and mitigation measures which are required
7 as part'of the Zone 13 Local Facilities Management Plan and any amendments made to
that Plan prior to the issuance of building permits.
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4. This approval is granted subject to the approval of LCPA 08-01 and is subject to all
° conditions contained in Planning Commission Resolutions No. 6526 for the other
, „ approval incorporated herein by reference.
5. Prior to the issuance of building permits for the project, the applicant shall submit
to the Planning Director a digital copy and a camera-ready master copy of the
12 LEGOLAND HOTEL CALIFORNIA- SP 207(H) Plan, in addition to 10 bound
copies.
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6. Developer shall comply with all applicable provisions of federal, state, and local laws and
regulations in effect at the time of building permit issuance.
7. If any condition for construction of any public improvements or facilities, or the payment
of any fees in-lieu thereof, imposed by this approval or imposed by law on this Project
are challenged, this approval shall be suspended as provided in Government Code
17 Section 66020. .If any such condition is determined to be invalid, this approval shall be
invalid unless the City Council determines that the project without the condition complies
' ° with all requirements of law.
19 8. Developer shall implement, or cause the implementation of, the LEGOLAND HOTEL
20 CALIFORNIA - SP 207(H) Project Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program.
21 Developer/Operator shall and does hereby agree to indemnify, protect, defend, and hold harmless
the City of Carlsbad, its Council members, officers, employees, agents, and representatives, from
22 and against any and all liabilities, losses, damages, demands, claims and costs, including court
costs and attorney's fees incurred by the City arising, directly or indirectly, from (a) City's
approval and issuance of this Specific Plan Amendment, (b) City's approval or issuance of any
24 permit or action, whether discretionary or nondiscretionary, in connection with the use
contemplated herein, and (c) Developer/Operator's installation and operation of the facility
25 permitted hereby, including without limitation, any and all liabilities arising from the emission
by the facility of electromagnetic fields or other energy waves or emissions. This obligation
survives until all legal proceedings have been concluded and continues even if the City's
approval is not validated.
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PC RESO NO. 6525 -4-
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NOTICE
Please take NOTICE that approval of your project includes the "imposition" of fees,
dedications, reservations, or other exactions hereafter collectively referred to for convenience as
"fees/exactions."
You have 90 days from date of final approval to protest imposition of these fees/exactions. If
you protest them, you must follow the protest procedure set forth in Government Code Section
66020(a), and file the protest and any other required information with the City Manager for
processing in accordance with Carlsbad Municipal Code Section 3.32.030. Failure to timely
follow that procedure will bar any subsequent legal action to attack, review, set aside, void, or
annul their imposition.
You are hereby FURTHER NOTIFIED that your right to protest the specified fees/exactions
DOES NOT APPLY to water and sewer connection fees and capacity charges, nor planning,
zoning, grading, or other similar application processing or service fees in connection with this
project; NOR DOES IT APPLY to any fees/exactions of which you have previously been given a
NOTICE similar to this, or as to which the statute of limitations has previously otherwise
expired.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Planning
Commission of the City of Carlsbad, California, held on January 21, 2009, by the following
vote, to wit:
AYES:
NOES:
Commissioners Baker, Cardosa, Douglas, Whitton, and
Chairperson Montgomery
ABSENT: Commissioners Boddy and Dominguez
ABSTAIN:
MARTEnTB. MONTG
CARLSBAD PLANNI
ATTEST:
erson
ION
DON NEU
Planning Director
PC RESO NO. 6525 -5-
Exhibit "SP 207(H)"
January 21, 2009
1 ORDINANCE NO.
2 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING AN AMENDMENT TO
3 THE CARLSBAD RANCH SPECIFIC PLAN (SP 207(G)) TO ADD
HOTEL AND ACCESSORY USES TO PLANNING AREA 4 OF
4 THE CARLSBAD RANCH SPECIFIC PLAN AND TO REVISE
THE PARKING RATE FOR LEGOLAND AND GYMS WITHIN
5 THE CARLSBAD RANCH SPECIFIC PLAN ON PROPERTY
GENERALLY LOCATED NORTH OF PALOMAR AIRPORT
6 ROAD, SOUTH OF CANNON ROAD, EAST OF PASEO DEL
NORTE AND WEST OF THE CROSSINGS DRIVE IN THE
7 . MELLO II SEGMENT OF THE LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM
AND IN LOCAL FACILITIES MANAGEMENT ZONE 13.
8 CASE NAME: LEGOLAND HOTEL CALIFORNIA
CASE NO.: SP 207(H)
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The City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California, does ordain as follows:
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WHEREAS, the Carlsbad Ranch Specific Plan was originally adopted by City
Council Ordinance No. NS-277 on March 16, 1993 and has been amended several times and12
contains the uses, development standards and design guidelines for the development of the
subject property; and
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WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Carlsbad has reviewed and
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considered a Specific Plan Amendment (SP 207(H)) for the Carlsbad Ranch Specific Plan; and16
WHEREAS, after procedures in accordance with requirements of law, the City
Council has determined that the public interest indicates that said Specific Plan Amendment (SP18
207(H)) be approved.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Carlsbad does ordain as
21 follows:
22 SECTION 1: That Specific Plan SP 207(H), on file in the Planning Department,
2^ and incorporated herein by reference, is adopted. The Carlsbad Ranch Specific Plan (SP
24 207(H)) shall constitute the development plan for the property and all development within the
25 plan area shall conform to the plan.
26 SECTION 2: That the Carlsbad Ranch Specific Plan (SP 207), as amended to
27 date, and further amended by Specific Plan Amendment 207(H), dated January 21, 2009, is
2g approved.
1 SECTION 3: That Specific Plan Amendment SP 207(1-1) replaces text in the
2 Carlsbad Ranch Specific Plan, as shown on Attachment SP 207(H).
3 SECTION 4: That the findings and conditions of the Planning Commission in
4 Planning Commission Resolution No. 6525 shall constitute the findings and conditions of the
5 City Council.
6 EFFECTIVE DATE: This ordinance shall be effective thirty days after its
7 adoption, but not until Local Coastal Program Amendment LCPA 08-01 is approved by the
8 California Coastal Commission, and the City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this ordinance
9 and cause it to be published at least once in a publication of general circulation in the City of
10 Carlsbad within fifteen days after its adoption.
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1 INTRODUCED AND FIRST READ at a regular meeting of the Carlsbad City
2 Council on the day of 2009, and thereafter.
3 PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of
4 Carlsbad on the day of 2009, by the following vote, to wit:
5 AYES:
6 NOES:
7 ABSENT:
8 ABSTAIN:
9
10 APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY
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12 RONALD R. BALL, City Attorney
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14 ii CLAUDE A. LEWIS, Mayor
16 ATTEST:
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18 LORRAINE M. WOOD, City Clerk
19 (SEAL)
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Attachment Legoland Hotel California - SP 207(H)
Much of the most visible west-facing slope will maintain agricultural use of the site as
flower fields. Formal elements will heighten the sense of the hillside landscape and will
reinforce the visual importance of the ridgeline extending through the site and creating a
prominent brow at the southwest end. A transitional wall will create an edge to the flower
fields that will become a promenade providing scenic vistas to the fields, the city and the
ocean.
Development will be concentrated within a limited area along the western-most ridge
and areas to the east. A hotel/timeshare will occupy a prominent location at the southern
end of the site. The hotel/timeshare will serve a role in Carlsbad much like the La Valencia
Hotel in La Jolla and the Hotel Del Coronado in Coronado as a major landmark and social
gathering place for the community. The use of courtyards, terraces, landscaping, sloping
and tiled roofs, distinctive massing and many of the qualities characteristic of
Mediterranean buildings are envisioned.
The focus of development in the north and central portion of the specific plan will be
on Biotech, research/corporate users and a vocational campus housing the Gemological
Institute of America. The development will be a mix of one, two and three-story buildings.
Design standards will continue to require architectural articulation on all buildings,
incorporating a vocabulary, which is compatible with the overall Mediterranean character of
the Carlsbad Ranch.
LEGOLAND Carlsbad will be situated on the southeast quadrant of the Carlsbad
Ranch. It will consist of parking-,- an inner park of active and passive clusters, a« euter pafk
with a-service and administration area and an. outer park containing a hotel and
Barking. All areas of the park will be heavily landscaped. The inner park will also contain
water features. All areas of the park will be child and pedestrian oriented. All structures will
be designed to blend in with the extensive landscaping in garden-like settings. LEGO
models will be featured in LEGOLAND Carlsbad.
A full-service destination resort, which may include up to 700 suites is proposed to
be located on the northeast corner of the Ranch. The architecture will be compatible with
the same Mediterranean vocabulary prevalent throughout the Ranch and features such as
sloping tile roofs, terraces, arches, and elevated walkways connecting the various buildings
should be encouraged. A golf course, open to the public, will be situated below the resort
adding to the open space in the Ranch.
The western-most portion of the Ranch below the flower fields and adjacent to
Paseo Del Norte will be developed as a specialty retail center. Buildings will be designed
and oriented to allow for views of the flower fields to the east. There will be a focus on food
service at the end of the pedestrian access to the flower fields and ridge promenade.
Carlsbad Ranch Specific Plan 21
2.BUILDING COVERAGE
For developments which utilize surface parking, all structures shall not cover
more than fifty percent of the lot on which they are located.
For developments which include a parking structure or parking is located
within or under the building it serves, the total coverage of all structures shall not
exceed seventy-five percent of the lot. This provision shall apply only if seventy-five
percent of the required parking is located in the parking structure or within or under
the building it serves.
3.PARKING STANDARDS
Parking spaces for all permitted and ancillary uses shall be provided
consistent with the parking standards and parking ratios set forth in this specific
plan. Facilities for bicycle parking shall be provided within all planning areas. The
parking requirements for LEGOLAND Carlsbad are provided in the development
standards for Planning Area 4.
If the parking standards or parking ratios are not specifically addressed in this
specific plan then Chapter 21.44 of the Carlsbad Municipal Code shall be utilized.
a. Parking Ratios
Parking ratios shall conform with the following standards:
Art Galleries/Museums
Financial Institutions
Gyms and Health Clubs
Hotels
Manufacturing
Medical Offices
Pre-schools/Daycare Facilities
Professional Offices
Research and Development
Bio Industrial -
Research and Development
Restaurants - <4000 sq.ft.
Restaurants - >4000 sq.ft.
Retail
1 space per 500 GSF
1 space per 250 GSF
1 space per 35-200 GSF
1.2 spaces per room
1 space per 400 GSF plus 1 space for
each vehicle used in conjunction with the
use ' •'--
1 space per 200 GSF
1 space per employee and 1 space per 10
students
1 space per 250 GSF
1 space per 250 GSF
1 space per 300. GSF
1 space per 100 GSF
40 spaces plus 1 space per 50 sq.ft. over
4000 sq.ft.
1 space per 200 GSF
Carlsbad Ranch Specific Plan 64
e. HMdeft-Valie¥-RQa^ I he Crossings Drive
i. Roadway Character
Hidden Valley•RoaetThe Crossings Drive will provide emergency and
service access to Planning Areas 4 & 5, LEGOLAND Carlsbad and
the Resort. Hidden Vatiey-RoadThe Crossings Drive will end outside
the northeastern boundary of the specific plan and may provide
secondary access to the future Veteran's Memorial Park. From
Palomar Airport Road to the entrance to LEGOLAND Carlsbad,
Hid4enVatiey-RoadThe Crossings Drive will have a Right-of-Way
width of 84', with a curb-to-curb width of 64'. From the LEGOLAND
Carlsbad Entrance to its northern terminus it will have a 62' Right-of-
Way with a curb-to-curb width of 40'.
Sidewalks in conformance with City standards shall be constructed on
both sides of Hidden Valley RoactThe Crossings Drive from Palomar
Airport Road to the entrance to LEGOLAND Carlsbad. From the
entrance to LEGOLAND Carlsbad to the northern edge of the specific
plan, an 8' wide meandering trail in 14' landscaped area shall be
provided along the western edge of Hidden Vatiey Roa4The
Crossings Drive. This will accommodate Segment 28 of the City's
Trail Plan. A standard 5.5' wide sidewalk shall be provided along the
easterly side of this portion of Hidcte-n Valley RoadThe Crossings
Drive.
If the City of Carlsbad develops the property to the east of HI44efi
Vatiey-RoadThe Crossings Drive as a public golf course, Segment 28
of the Citywide Trail System may be located along the eastern side of
H44den Valley Roa4The Crossings Drive, subject to the approval of
the City.
ii. Landscaping/Street Trees
Landscaping shall be installed concurrent with the development of the
roadway in conformance with all applicable City standards. The
Landscaping of 44i€t4ef*-Valte¥-RQa4The Crossings Drive shall be
compatible with the landscaping of LEGOLAND Carlsbad. As a
guideline, one tree should be provided for every 40 linear feet of road
frontage, to comply with the City's minimum standards.
Carlsbad Ranch Specific Plan 80
LEGO Attraction Areas - Other attractions in LEGOLAND Carlsbad
emphasize LEGO themes such as Town, Castle, and Pirates.
Activities created for these areas will be designed to allow the child
and his/her family to view and interact with the theme LEGO models
and attractions.
Passive Clusters will be located next to the Active Clusters within the
Inner Park. The Passive Clusters are characterized by unobstructed park
like plantings with occasional walkways and limited paving, site furnishings,
garden features and landscape lighting. The key objective of the passive
clusters is to allow families to picnic, relax, and enjoy the park atmosphere.
Service and Administration
The Service and Administration planning area is located on the
eastern end of the project site. The service and administrative buildings will
include storage, workshops, staff, educational and administrative facilities.
External waste and storage facilities will be established in connection with
the storage building.
b. Outer Park
The Outer Park contains landscape areas. LEGOLAND hotel and
parking facilities for LEGOLAND Carlsbad. The actual boundaries of both
the Inner Park and Outer Park as well as the acreage of the Planning Areas
may vary and will be precisely determined at the time of the Site
Development Plan review.
LEGOLAND Hotel
The hotel, accessory uses to the hotel and hotel quest parking are to
be located in the Outer Park between-..the LEGOLAND entrance and
administrative offices. Hotel parking will be separated from the general
visitor parking for LEGOLAND Carlsbad and accessible from the main
entrance and The Crossings Drive. Details of the hotel, accessory uses and
hotel guest parking will be provided as part of the application for the Site
Development. Plan.
Carlsbad Ranch Specific Plan 113
Parking and Circulation
Proposed parking consists of areas for guest parking, bus parking,
recreation vehicle., aft4-employee parking and hotel parkingr
Guest parking includes provisions for handicap parking in accordance
with the Americans with Disabilities Act. In an effort to work with the existing
topography of the site and maximize views within LEGOLAND Carlsbad, the
parking area is designated for the southern portion of the LEGO site. Access
to the guest parking will be taken from LEGO Drive by way of Cannon Road.
All directional signage including freeway signs, signs on Palomar Airport
Road and promotional advertisements shall direct motorists towards Cannon
Road. Parking expansion space will be provided within the LEGO park site
adjacent to the parking lot on the south. This will also provide space for
parking overflow should it be needed during peak visitor days.
— b«€»-ftarf4fMf~-4aeitt^
— Bus/RV ...parking will ..... be_ j3rovjdedmiatjhe
southwestern... portion. of the site. The bus/RV parking ..... aj^ajAdlLbel double
striped and available for use_as standard LEGOLAND visitor parking during
periods in which bus demand is low, on ^ an_ag-neededj)asjs. Charter
bus and school bus access to LEGOLAND theme park will be through the
main entrance. Bus drop-off areas are provided in the parking lot along the
pedestrian spine which leads into LEGOLAND.
_ NCTD bus access will be provided via The Crossings Drive. Charter
bus service to the hotel will be via The Crossings Drive.
Employee parking facilities are provided at the southeastern portion of
the site. Access to these areas will be from Palomar Airport Road via
Vatiey-Rea4T_he ..... Crossings ..... .Drive- Emergency vehicle access is also
provided via Midclett-Vatiey-ReadThe Crossings Drive. Details of the parking
areas will be provided as a part of the application for the Site Development
Plan.
Hotel parking will be separated from the general visitor parking for
LEGOLAND Carlsbad and accessible from the main entrance and The
Crossings Drive. It is anticipated that upon initial arrival to the hotel, guests
will enter from Cannon Road through the LEGOLAND main entrance. Once
at the hotel, guests are likely to utilize the entrance via The Crossings Drive
to avoid the general park traffic.
Carlsbad Ranch Specific Plan 114
a. Permitted uses within LEGOLAND Carlsbad are as follows:
Entrance facility;
Toll "plaza";
Retail shops, not including drive-up or drive-in services;
Restaurants, not including drive-up or drive-in services;
Service buildings associated with Park activities;
Offices related to Park activities, business and administration;
Ancillary uses related to LEGO park;
- Hotel and accessory uses to the hotel including:
Retail
Restaurants, not including drive-up or drive-in services
Health and Fitness Clubs
Staged entertainment
Recreationa! facilities for water play
Rental car agency
Childcare facilities
Personal services, Barbers, Beauty shops, etc.
Bars and Nightclubs
Art Galleries/Museums
Administrative and Business Offices
Indoor and outdoor facilities for children related to
entertainment and education including overnight uses, but not
including high-speed thrill rides (those rides typically oriented
towards the teenage and young adult audience);
Water features, lakes;
Picnic areas;
Landscaped areas;
Guest services and facilities;
Accessory uses which are clearly incidental or necessary to
principal permitted uses; ,
People moving systems;
Signs related to Park activities;'
Parking;
Any other uses as determined by the Planning Director to be of
the same general character as the uses listed above.
b. Permitted temporary uses within LEGOLAND Carlsbad which are
limited in duration, but occur from time to time, are as follows:
Festivals;
Craft fairs;
Markets;
Carlsbad Ranch Specific Plan 119
iii. J=tid^efvVaUe¥-Roa4The Crossings Drive (Area 3)
Building Setbacks
No building shall be closer than 20 feet from the right-
of-way line.
Landscape Setbacks
Landscaping shall extend a minimum of 20 feet from
the right-of-way line.
Parking Setbacks
No parking area shall be allowed closer than 20 feet
from the right-of-way line.
iv. Palomar Airport Road (Area 4)
Building Setbacks
No building shall be closer than 300 feet from the
northern right-of-way line along Palomar Airport Road.
Landscape Setbacks
Landscaping shall extend a minimum of 140 feet from
the northern right-of-way line along Palomar Airport
Road (150 feet from the curb).
Parking Area Setbacks
- No parking area shall be allowed closer than 140 feet
from the northern right-of-way line along Palomar
Airport Road (150 feet from the curb).
Carlsbad Ranch Specific Plan 121
e. Parking Standards-
The reguired parking for LEGOLAND Carlsbad-is as foliows: following
parking spaces will be provided on the opening day of LEGOLAND CarJsbad:
Visitor Parking
Automobiles 3410 spaces
Handicapped 4§-spaces
RV Parking
• Parking
Bus Parking §Q-s
TOTAL 44^
LEGOLAND
Park - Autos 3.103 spaces
Park - RV's 20 spaces
Employee 600 spaces
Hotel 1.2 spaces per room
Restaurant 1 space per 100 SF
(if over 4.000 SF) 40 + 1 space per 50 SF
Retail 1 space per 300 SF
In addition, 60 bus spaces and an additional 26 RV spaces are
provided as a convenience to touring bus companies and schools. During
peak demand events however, this parking may be converted to visitor
parking spaces. If additional uses not specifically listed above are
developed, Chapter 21.44 of the Carlsbad Municipal Code shall be utilized for
the parking standards or parking ratios.
Gtfe64-Autornobile parking stall sizes shall be a minimum wjdthsee-of
8'6"-x-491with a minimum area of 170 sguare feet. All aisles shall be a
minimum of 4ff-24' feet in-width {s4fwjte~€iifB€ti0FH^
efi6rrted-at-§Q-4e§fees)r-Employee parking stalls shall be a minimum of 9' x
20^ Recreation Vehicle parking stalls shall be 34' x 11'. Bus parking stalls
shall be 40' x 12'. All bus aisles shall be a minimum of 75 feet in width. If
tandem bus parking occurs, there shall be a minimum of 3 feet between
buses. All handicapped parking stalls shall meet the requirements of the
The City of Carlsbad does not have a specific parking standard for a theme park such as LEGO. The theme park
standards are derived based on the justification and analysis contained in an addendum prepared by RBF.elated
January 23, 2008.to the ADriLiSiiTrafncJ^y^^ by KAKU Associates,
Inc. (fealife-44^y-JQ!--4h6-4^gfya844SGOLAfclD CofJsteee, egted Aj3fM4^H'page~-45M&42K -This report and
addendum -frare available at the City of Carlsbad Planning Department and is incorporated herein by reference.
Carlsbad Ranch Specific Plan 124
Americans With Disabilities Act. The proposed parking concept shall meet or
exceed the City of Carlsbad landscape requirements of 1 tree per 4 parking
stalls. Bicycle access to the parking lot shall be provided at the trail
connections off LEGO Drive and off Hidden Valley RoadThe Crossings Drive.
Bicycle racks shall be provided within the parking area.
Parking expansion will be provided -with in the LEGO site adjacent' to
-the Palomar Airport Road buffer zone. This area will' be-iandscaped, and
iti occu r iM^e'-Fa'Ss/^iMeftleRs-ef^t-is-af ea-wh ich-wJti-ateo-sefve
as space as needed for parking overflow. The City may require the paving of
the parking overflow area when warranted by traffic usage, but not before.
This overflow parking aroa-wiU-accorrimodate an-additionaM-,450 parking
spaces. The City will conduct traffic counts periodically to determine the
adequacy of the-parking iot with respect to health and safety standard to
determine if this ov&rfiow area needs to be paved. The City shall advise
LEGO of any heaith and/or safety' problems and, at the 4lFeetion of -the City
Engineer, may require any necessary remedies to correct the problems.
The parking lot layout and design are shown on Figure 38 on page
125 and the parking lot geometries are illustrated in Figure 39 on page 126.
These Figures are intended to show that it is feasible to design a parking
layout to accommodate the required parking on the LEGO site. It is not
intended to be a final design. The actual design may vary subject to the
review of the Site Development Plan. The final parking lot layout shall be
subject to City approval at the time of Site Development Plan review.
Directed parking may be necessary during certain peak season days.
A requirement for directed parking would be based on the final design of the
parking lot and determined if necessary at the time of the Site Development
Plan review.
f. Circulation Plan
The Circulation Plan is shown in 'Figure 40 on page 127. The
Circulation Plan establishes the roadway network and the basic standards for
safe automotive, bicycle and pedestrian movement within the LEGO site and
as it relates to the proposed circulation system of the adjacent Carlsbad
Ranch Planning Areas. Figure 40 on page 127 of this document illustrates
the overall circulation plan for the Carlsbad Ranch Specific Plan. In order to
comply with the established performance standard for circulation facilities
contained in the Local Facilities Management Plan, Zone 13, the only
directional signing allowed on Palomar Airport Road will be a directional sign
for west bound vehicles directing them to go north on Armada Drive to LEGO
Drive. All directional signage located along the I-5 corridor shall direct
visitors to the Cannon Road off ramps.
Carlsbad Ranch Specific Plan 1 25
All promotional material, television and radio advertising, shall direct visitors
to access the Park using the 1-5 and Cannon Road interchange.
Carlsbad Ranch Specific Plan 126
Visitor traffic will approach the Park heading east on Cannon Road
from the 1-5 interchange, then make a right turn at LEGO Drive.
A roundabout will be located at the intersection of LEGO Drive and
Armada Drive. This roundabout will guide visitors to LEGOLAND Carlsbad.
LEGO Drive empties directly into the private driveway leading to the LEGO
visitor parking lot.
Access to the feysremployee parking. LEGOLAND Hotel and service
areas eftly-shall be provided from Hi4€tefh¥attev-RoadThe Crossings Drive
via Palomar Airport Road.
Access to charter/school bus parking will be provided through the
main LEGOLAND entrance. Drop-off areas for buses are provided along the
pedestrian spine that leads from the parking lot into the LEGOLAND park.
NCTD bus access shall be provided from The Crossings Drive via Palomar
Airport Road. In the event of a chartered bus specifically for LEGOLAND
Hotel guests, access will be provided via The Crossings Drive.
The service road will be landscaped and screened to prevent public
view from Park visitors. Vehicles shall be separated from the Active and
Passive Clusters of the Park to avoid pedestrian contact. The service road
shall be constructed to meet the City of Carlsbad standards to accommodate
emergency vehicles.
Pedestrian access is provided through a system of circulation which
links a series of Active Clusters. This system provides a main circulation
route with opportunity to return to clusters of particular interest. Trail
links/connections to adjacent portions of the Carlsbad Ranch will be provided
on the southwestern boundary of the park on LEGO Drive, adjacent to
Armada Drive and on the eastern boundary of the Park off of H144sfi
VatieyTne Crossings Drive at the entrance to the employee parking or
service administration area.
g. Operation and Safety
LEGO Drive shall comply with the operation and safety standards and
criteria as provided in the Standards for Design and Construction of Public
Works Improvements in the City of Carlsbad. Lighting shall be provided that
will conform with the City lighting standards.
The LEGO parking concept allows for the maximization of landscape
opportunities, while providing for the required amount of parking in a safe
and efficient manner. If it is required that the parking area be lit, it will
conform to the City lighting standards. The LEGO parking lot will be loaded
Carlsbad Ranch Specific Plan 130
vi. Parking lot lighting shall be designed in conformance with City
standards.
vii. Lighting should provide a safe and desirable level of
illumination for both pedestrians .and motorists without
intruding into adjacent areas.
viii. Project signage should be illuminated on the sign face only, in
such a way as to minimize light overflow.
ix. Search lights and lasers directed towards the sky should not
be permitted.
3. DESIGN GUIDELINES
The following are specific development and design guidelines applicable to
this Planning Area. However, Section III.A. GENERAL DEVELOPMENT
STANDARDS AND DESIGN GUIDELINES beginning on page 63 contains
additional development standards and design guidelines that are applicable to all
Planning Areas within this Specific Plan Amendment.
The purpose of the following section is to provide sufficient design guidelines
and descriptive text to give the City an idea of the appearance and feeling of
LEGOLAND Carlsbad when it is developed. The exact details of LEGOLAND
Carlsbad will be provided when the Site Development Plan is processed for this
area.
LEGOLAND Park
a. General Building Orientation
LEGOLAND Carlsbad Building Orientation
The LEGOLAND Carlsbad entrance structures will be oriented toward
the guest parking area. Other Park buildings and structures will be oriented,
in general, toward a main pedestrian pathway system linking the various
Activity Clusters. Entrance to the various buildings and structures should in
general be from the main pathway system. Secondary entrances and
service entrances will be from a secondary pathway system and the outer
ring service road surrounding the Inner Park. Buildings and structures
should be of various masses and orientation in a "village/town landscape"
arrangement. Provisions for comfortable service and emergency vehicular
access will be established park-wide and will link up with the service and
emergency road system.
Carlsbad Ranch Specific Plan 135
Service and Administration Building Orientation
LEGO service buildings shall be architecturally compatible with the
administration building. Primary service building entrances shall be oriented
to the access road area. Secondary building entrances will in general be
oriented toward the Family Park. Building mass should be parallel or on axis
with the access road.
Provisions for comfortable pedestrian as well as vehicular linkages between the Park,
access road, staff car parking and the service administration building shall be provided.
b. Access
LEGOLAND Carlsbad Buildings
The main entrance for guests to LEGOLAND Carlsbad will be from the
guest car parking via guest "car park islands" to an entrance plaza in front of
the entrance structure. In connection with the entrance plaza, disabled
parking, charter/school bus and taxi drop-off will be established. NCTD bus
access is provided via The Crossings Drive.
From the main entrance, a main pedestrian pathway will lead through
the various Active and Passive Clusters. Access to the various attractions
will be from the main pathway system as well as a secondary pathway
system in each individual cluster. Entrance facilities to each individual
attraction will include various setbacks and/or queuing facilities to secure
sufficient flow on pathway systems.
Pathway systems and access to attractions will satisfy all applicable
requirements for disabled accessibility. A service road system will be
established within the Outer Park area for easy accessibility for service
vehicles to the various main facilities in the Park. An emergency and fire
engine corridor system will be established acceptable to the Carlsbad Fire
Department.
Service and Administration Buildings
Main access to the administration building and service building area
will be from the secondary access road via Mteteefv-Vatiey--Rea4The
Crossings Drive off Palomar Airport Road. Secondary access to
administration and service buildings, including service gates to the service
building, will be from a service yard between the administration and service
building. A combined staff service road and pathway will connect the service
yard with the service road around the Park. The service area will be
screened from the surroundings by planting.
Carlsbad Ranch Specific Plan 136
Windows
Windows may commonly appear recessed on general
buildings. Detail treatments include the use of architectural accents.
Shutters will be common where suitable. A variety of styles and sizes
will typically be used together to form a random pattern.
Balconies & Verandas
Balconies and verandas will be used as strong ornamental
elements, in order to add interest to the elevation and shade to the
buildings and outdoor areas.
Public Spaces
Shaded areas will be established park-wide through the use of
pergola structures, etc. A warm, relaxed atmosphere will be created
to enhance the guest's comfort.
d. Potential Building Materials
Building materials utilized in the LEGOLAND Carlsbad buildings shall
incorporate or be generally compatible with a theme architectural vocabulary
and shall use durable, high quality building and roofing materials. The Inner
Park will include a variety of architectural themes, which will delineate
different activity areas of the Park. Exterior wall and roof colors shall be
carefully selected. Stucco with accent materials are preferred. Roof colors
shall be low intensity colors, which blend with the environmental setting of the
project.
e. Citvwide Trail Segment
Trails within Planning Area 4 shall be designed to link into the Citywide
Trail System along Hidden Valley Drive. Trail Segment 28 of the Citywide
Trail System may be located on the east side of Midden-Valley RoadThe
Crossings Drive if that area is developed as a public golf course by the City of
Carlsbad and its relocation is approved by the City.
LEGOLAND Hotel
a. General Building Orientation
The hotel will be set in an articulated form to help create an entrance
pjaza for the Park on the North side.
Carlsbad Ranch Specific Plan 138
The service area will orient to the existing Park service area to the
East of admissions. This area links to the outer ring service road.
At the option of LEGOLAND, the hotel construction may be phased.
A phasing concept will be provided and reviewed through the site
development plan process.
b. Access
Guests
Guests arriving by car will access the hotel through the main
LEGOLAND entrance or via The Crossings Drive. Upon arrival,
guests will be directed to the hotel entrance plaza where there will
be a covered area for drop-off from cars and taxis. Parking for
disabled people will be provided close to the entrance and there will
be dedicated parking for other hotel guests. NCTD bus access will
be provided via The Crossings and drop-off guests at the east end
of the hotel.
Service Area
This will be accessed (as is the LEGOLAND administration building
and service building area) from the secondary access road via The
Crossings Drive off Palomar Airport Road. A combined staff service
road and pathway will connect the service yard with the service
road around the Park. The service area will be screened from the
surroundings by planting.
c. General Architectural Character
Architectural features, such as well articulated and varied facades,
roofs and courtyard plaza elements that provide building
articulation, diversity and pedestrian amenity will be provided.
Variations in design are anticipated and will incorporate some of the
features described below.
Building Form
The LEGOLAND hotel will be articulated both in plan and section to
reduce the appearance of bulk and to create an interesting building
silhouette. The typical facade will incorporate some fantasy
features to reinforce the LEGOLAND brand and these will be most
intense at the entrance to the hotel.
Carlsbad Ranch Specific Plan 139
Jjoofs
Roofs will be low pitch or flat. Roof materials will be of suitable roof
sheet material or tiles. Roof planes will be varied for visual interest
and to achieve intimate scale.
Entrances
Entrances to the hotei and ...public areas will be recessed and covered.
They wQLbe compatible with thejhem
Materials may include rendered facades and tiles.
Windows
The design.of windows.wjlLfollow the themes mentioned above.
Balconies
Balconies and frenchMI.con.ies may be used as strong ornamental
ejejriejntsJn^ordteiLXo add interest toJheJbjuJMing and outdoor areas.
Public Spaces
Public:spac^^
cg.nriectjo.n._.of the hotel and LEGOLANDPark. A warm, relaxed
atmosphere wiil enhance the guest's comfort,
d, Potential BuildingMaterjals
Building materials utilized in the LEGOLAND Hotei will incorporate or
be generally compatible with a theme architectural vocabulary and
shall use dura bje, quality._bujiding an,g! roofing materiaIs. Exterj_or wail
and roof coiors will be carefully selected. Stucco with accent
materials will be preferred. Roof colors will blend with the
environmental setting of the project.
Carlsbad Ranch Specific Plan 140
• A 1 .5 MG steel tank reservoir located adjacent to the east boundary of the specific
plan.
Two pressure reducing stations, one at the 1 .5 MG steel tank, and the other at the
intersection of Palomar Airport Road and Armada Drive.
A 16-inch and 12-inch pipeline from the 1.5 MG steel tank aligned southwesterly to
Palomar Airport Road.
A 10-inch pipeline in Palomar Airport Road from Armada Drive to Paseo Del Norte.
A 12-inch pipeline in Paseo Del Norte and Car Country Drive.
The existing water facilities for the 375 Pressure Zone include:
One 8.5 MG steel tank reservoir (now under construction to replace 1 .25 MG).
A 16-inch pipeline in Palomar Airport Road.
A 16-inch pipeline form the existing 1 .5 MG reservoir to Palomar Airport Road.
Removal of the existing 12-inch and 16-inch transmissions lines.
The existing water facilities are shown on Figure 57 on page 183.
To provide adequate water service, the following facilities are required in the 375
Pressure Zone only:
A 16-inch pipeline in HJ4deB-Va4tey RoadThe Crossings Drive extending from
Camino de Los Ondas north to the vicinity of the existing 1 .5 MG reservoir. This will
enable the fire flow to be provided to the area from the 8.5 MG reservoir now under
construction.
A 12-inch pipeline extending in on easement across Parcel 1 1 from Hid4efhVailsy
Crossings Drive to Cannon Road.
A 16-inch pipeline in Armada Drive from Palomar Airport Road to Cannon Road.
A 10-inch pipeline in LEGO Drive.
A minimum 8-inch pipeline in "D" Street.
Carlsbad Ranch Specific Plan 184
C. RECLAIMED WATER
On March 21, 1989 the City of Carlsbad adopted an interim Reclaimed Water Use
Policy for new land development projects. The policy specified that all new development
shall use reclaimed water when reasonably available and that the installation of dual
irrigation systems may be required subject to the terms of the Water Reclamation Master
Plan.
The Carlsbad Municipal Water District operates and maintains two reclaimed water
pipelines in the specific plan area. There is an existing 8-inch pipeline.in Palomar Airport
Road. Another 8-inch pipeline is in -HM4en Vaiiey Roa4Jhe Crossings Drive extending
from Palomar Airport Road north to the vicinity of an existing 1.5 MG steel tank. The water
pressure in these pipelines is the same as the 375 Pressure Zone for domestic water.
However, it is noted that the pipeline in Hid4eflA/alley-R0a4The Crossings Drive may need
to be relocated based on proposed site grading plans.
To utilize the reclaimed water supply will require the following:
A 12-inch pipeline in HiddspAteltev Roa4The Crossings Drive and an easement
from Palomar Airport Road to Cannon Road. (There is an existing temporary 8-inch
water line in Hidden Va4le¥-Rea4The Crossings Drive from Palomar Airport Road to
the reservoir.)
A 20-inch pipeline in Cannon Road from Car Country Drive to the proposed 12-inch
pipeline described above.
An 8-inch pipeline in Armada Drive from Palomar Airport Road to Cannon Road
(Carlsbad Ranch Unit No. 1 has been designed and approved as a part of CT 92-07
on December 23, 1993.)
An 8-inch pipeline in LEGO Drive.
An 8-inch pipeline in Paseo Del Norte from Palomar Airport Road to Car Country
Drive.
There also exists a 16" line located within and south of Palomar Airport Road
belonging to the Vallecitos Water District. The City of Carlsbad has the rights to use
reclaimed water from that line. That line has the capacity of two million gallons per day. As
long as there is a surplus of reclaimed water available, development within this project
could use this pipeline as a source of reclaimed water.
Carlsbad Ranch Specific Plan 188
g. Lego Drive/Cannon Road - Install traffic signal. Provide two left-turn
lanes and an exclusive right-turn lane in the northbound direction; two
through lanes and an exclusive right-turn lane in the eastbound
direction; and two left-turn lanes and two through lanes in the
westbound direction.
Estimated Cost - $5,000 (signal cost included in LEGO
Drive/Armada Drive cost estimate)
Timing: ,
Prior to recordation of a final map, issuance of a grading or building
permit, whichever occurs first for any project within subarea TR-1, TR-
2, TR-3, O/PI-1 or O/PI-2 of Zone 13, if the City Engineer determines
that this improvement is necessary to maintain the Growth
Management Circulation Performance Standard, the developer of that
subarea shall financially guarantee its construction as set forth in the
Finance section of the Zone 13 LFMP.
h. Armada Drive/Palomar Airport Road - Install traffic signal
modifications as necessary. Restripethe northbound approach for two
left-turn lanes and a shared through/right-turn lane. In the
southbound direction, provide two left-turn lanes, one shared
through/right-turn lane, and an exclusive right-turn lane. Also, add an
eastbound left-turn lane and a westbound exclusive right-turn lane.
Estimated Cost: $205,000
Timing:
Prior to reeordation of a final map, issuance of a grading or building
permit, whichever occurs first for'any project within subarea O/PI-2,
TR-3 or TR/C of Zone 13, if the City ^Engineer determines that this
improvement is necessary to maintain the Growth Management
Circulation Performance Standard, the developer of that subarea shall
financially guarantee its construction as set forth in the Finance
section of the Zone 13 LFMP.
i. Hiddeft-Valtey-Rea4The Crossings Drive/Palomar Airport Road -
Construction of intersection to include two through lanes, one shared
right/through lane and one left turn lane in the eastbound and
westbound directions. Provide one shared southbound
left/right/through lane. Provide a shared right-turn/through land and
one left-turn lane in the northbound direction.
Carlsbad Ranch Specific Plan 197
3. Planning Area 3
Any development of the property including hotels and/or commercial living
units (timeshares) shall be subject to the approval of a Site Development Plan
pursuant to Section 21.06 (Qualified Overlay Zone) of the Carlsbad Municipal Code.
In addition, a hotel or commercial living unit (timeshare) project shall be subject to
the requirements of Section 21.42.010(10) of the Carlsbad Municipal Code. In
addition to the above requirements, the City Council shall make the final decision to
approve or disapprove the Site Development Plan.
Any other uses proposed for this site that is not specifically addressed herein
shall be subject to all applicable processing requirements of the underlying zone
and Title 21 (Zoning) of the Carlsbad Municipal Code.
4. Planning Area 4 (LEGOLAND Carlsbad)
Planning Area 4 contains the entire LEGOLAND theme park. As shown on
Exhibit 35, the park is divided into the inner park and the outer park. The inner park
contains all of the existing attractions, food services and administrative services and
areas for future expansion. The outer park is the area reserved for LEGQLAND
thenne gark yisitor parking, LEGOLAND hotel and hotel guest parking and a
large portion of the perimeter landscape buffer. This specific plan authorizes and
approves a LEGOLAND family park as a permitted use subject the approval of a
Site Development Plan. A Site Development Plan (SDP 96-14) and Coastal
Development Permit (CDP 96-16) were approved for the entire park by City Council
Resolution 97-670 on May 20,1997. This specific plan authorizes and approves a
LEGOLAND family park as a permitted use of the Planning Area for zoning
purposes and, therefore, a conditional use permit shall not be required pursuant to
Section 21.42.010(5)(F) of the Carlsbad Municipal Code. Any development of the
property shall be subject to the processes as described below.
Outer Park
Any development within the Outer Park shall be subject to the approval of a
Site Development Plan pursuant to Section 21.06 (Qualified Overlay Zone) of the
Carlsbad Municipal Code.
Inner Park
All future park projects within the Inner Park that comply with the
development standards and design guidelines set forth in this Specific Plan shall
be processed as a Minor Site Development Plan and Minor Coastal
Development Permit subject to Planning Director approval. The Planning
| Car/shod Ranch Specific Plan 206