HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-03-01; Planning Commission; Minutes City Council Chamber
1200 Carlsbad Village Drive
Carlsbad, CA 92008
March 1, 2023, 5 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER: 5:02 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Commissioners Kamenjarin, Meenes, Merz, and Sabellico.
Absent: Commissioners Lafferty and Stine.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Sabellico led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Minutes of the Regular Meeting held on Feb. 1, 2023
Motion by Commissioner Meenes, seconded by Commissioner Sabellico, to approve the Minutes
of the Regular Meeting held on Feb. 1, 2023. Motion carried, 4/0/2 (Lafferty, Stine – Absent).
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Robert Wilkinson, representing the Imagine Carlsbad group, commented on the correspondence
sent to the Commissioners that expressed concerns that the Village Barrio Master Plan does not
have the standards needed to shape development proposals in this unique neighborhood. He
asked this be placed as an agenda item at the next scheduled Planning Commission meeting for
further discussion.
CONSENT CALENDAR: None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. SDP 2021-0029 (DEV2021-0141) – IONIS LOTS 21 & 22 - Request for approval and adoption
of a resolution approving a Site Development Plan for the development of a 164,833-square-
foot, 48-foot-tall research and development building, a 21-foot-tall, three-level parking
structure and a pedestrian bridge across Whiptail Loop. The vacant 8.37-acre site comprises
Lots 21 and 22 of the Carlsbad Oaks North Specific Plan SP 211(C), on the north side of
Whiptail Loop, Assessor Parcel Numbers 209-120-23-00 and 209-120-24-00, and within Local
Facilities Management Zone 16. The potential environmental effects of the project were
adequately analyzed as part of the Program Environmental Impact Report EIR 98-08 prepared
for the Carlsbad Oaks North Specific Plan SP 211 and approved by the City Council (City
Council Resolution No. 2002-298). Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15168, the project is
within the scope of the of the previously-certified PEIR. Pursuant to CEQA Section 15162, no
additional environmental review is required.
ACTION TYPE: Quasi – judicial
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Adopt Resolution
PLANNER: Shannon Harker ENGINEER: Nicole Fine
March 1, 2023 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Page 2
Chair Merz opened the duly noticed public hearing at 5:08 p.m.
Chair Merz opened the public testimony at 5:20 p.m.
Hearing no one wishing to speak, Chair Merz closed the public testimony at 5:21 p.m.
Commissioners provided their disclosures as follows:
• Commissioner Kamenjarin disclosed he is familiar with the site.
• Commissioners Merz and Meenes disclosed he drove by the site.
• Commissioner Sabellico disclosed he drove by the site and looked it up on Goggle
Maps.
City Planner Eric Lardy introduced Senior Planner Shannon Harker who provided the
PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk).
As part of the presentation, Senior Planner Harker made a recommendation to adopt a
resolution approving Site Development Permit SDP 2021-0029.
Chair Merz stated two letters on the project have been received and distributed to the
Commissioners via email and hard copy.
In response to Commissioner Meenes’s inquiry on the parking study, City Planner Lardy
responded the City Municipal Code 21.44.020 delegates the authority to the City Planner
regarding the parking regulations. He added that this is a large complex in an industrial area
and it was determined that based on the parking study and location of this project it does not
have impact on circulation or the broader community.
In response to Commissioner Kamenjarin’s inquiry on the correspondence staff has received,
Senior Planner Harker responded the first correspondence was from the Center for Natural
Lands Management who owns and operates the parcel to the north and had some concerns
on noise and light pollution, increased human activity and potential damage to the habitat
after construction. She added that these impacts have already been studied when the original
specific plan was approved by City Council and injunction with the Environment Impact Report
(EIR). Staff thinks concerns have been adequately addressed. She further added that the
second letter from Lozeau Drury on concerns that EIR is out of date.
Applicant did not make a presentation on Item 1.
Motion by Commissioner Meenes, seconded by Commissioner Kamenjarin, to adopt
Resolution No. 7472. Motion carried, 4/0/3 (Lafferty, Stine- Absent).
Chair Merz closed the duly noticed public hearing at 5:25 p.m.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORT:
2. UPDATE PLANNING COMMISSION STAFF REPORT TEMPLATE (CONTINUED FROM FEB. 1,
2023 MEETING) - Receive a report on a revised Planning Commission staff report template as