HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-09-22; Growth Management Citizens Committee; Minutes
Minutes
September 22, 2022
CALL TO ORDER: 5 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Present:
Primary – Scott White, Eric Larson, Stephen “Hap” L’Heureux, Mike Howes, Mary Ryan, Frank Caraglio,
Frances Schnall, Harry Peacock, Annika Jimenez, Fred Briggs, William Sheffler, Amy Allemann, Joe Stine,
Patricia Mehan, Steve Linke
Alternate – Ron Withall, Patrick Goyarts, Jan Neff-Sinclair, Casey Carstairs, Erin Nell, Angela O’Hara, Nora
Jimenez George, Allen Manzano, William Fowler
Absent:
Primary – Jeff Segall, Gita Nassiri, Chad Majer, John Nguyen-Cleary
Alternate – Don Christiansen, Terence Green, Thierry Ibri, Matthew Reese, Lisa Stark, Jamie Jacobs, Art
Larson, Marissa Steketee, Kevin Sabellico,
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Motion by Hap L’Heureux, seconded by Scott White, to approve the August 25, 2022 minutes as amended.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
One public comment was received.
1. Public Park & Open Space –
John Gama states that Zone 9, the southwest quadrant of Carlsbad, is short 30 acres of open space
per city ordinance 29.10.130. After reading the ordinance to the committee, he explains that the
original developers of the Ponto area were falsely exempted from this standard. He states that there
is not 30 acres of open space per the standard. The recent Ponto Beach Village Project was denied
by the Coastal Commission, and in their report required the city to investigate this area for visitor
serving uses, ie a public park. Mr. Gama notes there is a 14.3-acre lot available for the city to
purchase at a taxpayer savings compared to the currently proposed Pacific Coast Hwy relocation
that doesn’t add any city land. Notes surveys have shown 85-91% of groups and citizens support a
coastal park at Ponto. Mr. Gama expresses frustration with the city’s response to addressing the
open space standard and park space deficiency. States a park at Ponto is consistent with all elements
in the community vision. Notes that this situation has been detailed to the Mayor and City Council
at official meetings to no avail. Implores committee to work with community to address deficiencies
and make something special at the southern entrance to the city.
2. MMLOS Methodology –
Lori Robbins discusses MMLOS and its application to streets with railroad crossings. She expresses
concern with the condo development happening close to streets with railroad crossings and the
existing gridlock worsening with the development. Ms. Robbins would like to see considerations
made for the negative impacts of gridlock to quality of life in the Village.
Carlsbad -v-~
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Growth Management Citizens Committee
Carlsbad Tomorrow Growth Management Citizens Committee September 22, 2022 Page 2
3. Open Space –
Howard Krausz representing North County Advocates. Reminds everyone the big picture of
Proposition E setting forth standards for parks and open space as 15% of each LFMZ. Notes that the
15% should be in each of those so people don’t travel to find open space. States 40% of Carlsbad
was to be open space. Implores committee to find open space now or it will never happen. Mr.
Krausz does not want exempted areas to not have any open space. Notes items should not be
double counted, and things that aren’t open space should not be counted as open space.
4. Open Space/Parks –
Michael Sebahar is a member of the Parks Commission. States there are opportunities for the
commission to make a difference by the coast, by the smokestacks, and around Ponto to become
areas where the community gathers, meets and reinforces community. Notes great projects have
big obstacles but the results are worth it. Asks committee to see possibilities rather than obstacles
and do something extraordinary with this property.
5. Beaches –
Kathy Steindlberger expresses support for Carlsbad beaches. Beaches are eroding at an alarming
pace. Sand replenishment projects cost millions and two storms could come in the winter and all
the sand would be gone. Cheaper to proactively deal with sea level rise than to react to it. Supports
moving southbound Carlsbad Boulevard eastward but the impacts of development along the beach
must be considered or there will be no sand left.
6. Parks –
Lance Schulte notes that People for Ponto have sent many documents to the city documenting the
unfair distribution of parks and that the growth management open space standard was and is not
met at Ponto. Ponto is missing 30 acres of growth management planned open space and Ponto
coastal south Carlsbad is unserved by city parks. There is a willing seller of 14-acres of Ponto land
that would be world class coastal park for Carlsbad. Such a park could host profitable community
events and allow the city to apply for park grants. Mr. Schulte says this would save taxpayers 20-40
million compared to the PCH relocation. Asks for Ponto Park to be put into Growth Management
Plan recommendation to the Council.
7. Open Space –
Diane Nygaard representing Preserve Calavera states Parks & Open Space is probably the most
important performance standards to the members of this community. 40% open space was never
a formal performance standard but was a goal. This goal was included in ballot arguments, campaign
literature and city documents. Notes that when the growth management plan was adopted it
planned for a build out population of 137,000, many less than is being planned for today. It didn’t
include today’s density. Notes that the performance standard is 15% for each zone so everyone has
access, not just half the city. When the performance standard was adopted, it did not say 11 of the
25 zones would be exempted. Meeting the open space performance standard was not one and
done, it should be ongoing. Asks the committee to have meaningful access to nature be part of their
legacy.
WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS:
Meeting opened with a welcome to attendees from Committee Chair Eric Larson, notes staff members
are present that will be introduced as resources during the course of the meeting. City Planner Eric Lardy
then briefly reviewed the committee’s purpose and charter, the 11 existing performance standards, and
the step-by-step process for the overall Growth Management Plan update. Facilitator Susan Harden
reviewed the meeting agenda.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
Carlsbad Tomorrow Growth Management Citizens Committee September 22, 2022 Page 3
COMMITTEE BUSINESS:
• Open Space. Principal Planner, Eric Lardy provided a presentation and history on the City of
Carlsbad Open Space Standard as it exists today. There was a question from the committee on
how state housing laws limit changes to density and use. Eric Lardy explained that the city is
limited on what they can do with land designated as residential. If something is residential the
city can’t change the General Plan designation to reduce the density without concurrently
increasing density elsewhere. Eric Lardy and Jennifer Jesser, Senior Planner, answered questions
on some of the details of the Open Space standard and history.
Several other clarifying questions were asked and the following thoughts, questions and
considerations specific to the performance standard were captured:
o Perception of unequal distribution of open space throughout the city
o Exemptions seem arbitrary in hindsight
o An equitable assessment of access to open space across the whole city is important
o Update of Proposition C property list may be warranted; new proposition for additional
funding could be proposed/passed
o The 15% standard doesn’t solve all open space needs (trails, etc.)
o Recommend another ballot initiative to increase City Council’s spending limit without a vote
(update Prop H to reflect high cost of land)
o Acknowledge impact of seal level rise on the loss of beaches
Staff following up on some specific questions/requests from the Committee regarding open
space:
o More detail on the 2005-2007 Prop C Citizens Committee property list
o Was the term “40%” open space specifically used in the ballot measure language?
o How much open + park space is in each of the 25 zones?
• Parks. City of Carlsbad Parks & Recreation Director, Kyle Lancaster, provided a presentation on
the current Park Standard. Nancy Bragado of Bragado Planning provided a presentation on how
Carlsbad compares to other cities in the San Diego region. Jeff Murphy, City of Carlsbad
Community Development Director, answered questions related to the exemption of the Ponto
property. Roxanne Muhlmeister, City of Carlsbad Assistant Finance Director, answered
questions regarding park funding and if the Public Facility Fee Fund could be used.
Several additional clarifying questions were asked and the following thoughts, questions and
considerations specific to the performance standard were captured:
o Like idea of citywide fee to get money up front as in-lieu fees don’t produce enough money
to pay for projects
o Prioritize park projects based on 10-minute walk to serve residents that don’t have parks
nearby to help address issues of equity
o Prioritize areas without parks within a 10-minute walk
o Ponto zone – concern that a previously approved (but never built) park resulted in it being
exempt from open space standard
o Exemptions are to Open Space standard, exemptions are not to the Park Standard
o Question on Public Facility Fee Funds being used to fund park projects
Roxanne Muhlmeister, City of Carlsbad Assistant Finance Director, indicates PFF funds
can be used for city facilities which include parks
Follow up question on how PFF funds are acquired.
Ms. Muhlmeister indicates they are development impact fees (not property taxes)
o Community Facility District 1 discussed; due to scale down of City Hall relocation could those
funds be repurposed through a court order or other mechanism to fund parks
Carlsbad Tomorrow Growth Management Citizens Committee September 22, 2022 Page 4
Roxanne Muhlmeister indicates if there is money left unused in that fund it would be
redistributed back to the people that paid it.
o Environmental justice briefly discussed and how it applies to the City of Carlsbad; currently
no areas in the city designated as Environmental Justice areas
o Park In-Lieu fees can be used to purchase land for parks and build parks; fees are divided by
quadrant
o Are we addressing what people want out of parks? In planning for parks do we also look at
what people need? (response that Park Master Planning process does this)
o Concern when passive open spaces are counted as park space
o The impact of the homeless on parks needs to be addressed
o Equal spread of large park across four quadrants seems to inflate SW quadrant number
o Counting golf courses as recreation area raises equity issues
o Explore an increase in standard (look at adjacent cities)
o Consider moving away from only measuring community parks
o Broaden concept of a park (community, neighborhood) for all
o Breakdown standards per thousand based on park type
o Take macro approach – citywide
o Interest in Tier 2 standard shared as part of presentation
o Look into using density transfers to create park space (and proactively address state
mandates/new policies for housing)
o Concern that lagoon trails are not counted as park recreation
o Impact of new parks on parks and transportation standards should be consistently applied
(Veterans Park downplayed transportation impacts while overemphasizing new park access)
Staff following up on some specific questions/requests from the Committee regarding parks:
o Clarify whether in-lieu fees can be used for new parks (e.g. Ponto)
o Is there a 10-minute walk study? A Trust for Public Land (TPL) study exists but doesn’t count
HOA (private recreation) facilities. Staff to provide a link.
o What is the acreage/inventory of HOA/private parks?
• Committee meeting schedule and topics. Committee Chair Eric Larson discussed future meeting
dates and future agenda items to be discussed. It was noted that the next meeting, occurring on
October 12, will solely discuss items brought up outside of the 11 standards to make
determinations on what happens with those items.
COMMITTEE MEMBER REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
• Committee members requested assessing rolling Arts into the Growth Management Plan. Look at
citywide cellular service/wifi connectivity.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
ADJOURNMENT:
Chair Eric Larson adjourned the duly noticed meeting at 8:06 p.m.
Eric Lardy - Minutes Clerk