HomeMy WebLinkAboutLCPA 97-09; Kelly Ranch; Local Coastal Program Amendment (LCPA) (23)Ms. Sara Wan, Chairperson
California Coastal Commission
22350 Carbon Mesa Road
Malibu, CA 90265
RE: CARLSBAD LCP AMENDMENT 289D
KELLY RANCH
TUESDAY 11,2000; ITEM 8b
Dear Chairperson Wan
In May of 1999, the City Council approved several legislative and development
permits relative to the Kelly Ranch project. One of those actions (LCP
amendment) will be before you on July 11,2000. The amendment addresses the
redesign of a master planned community approved by both the City and the
Coastal Commission in the early 1980’s. The redesigned project is far superior
to the earlier project because it eliminated over 500 dwelling units, added over
100 affordable housing units and most importantly the project was designed to be
consistent with the City’s Habitat Management Plan.
In order to achieve the preserve design required by the California Department of
Fish and Game (CDFG) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) large
areas of otherwise developable land were restricted from any development. To
balance this restriction, lower quality and fragmented habitat areas that would
otherwise be protected by both the Coastal Act and the City’s LCP were allowed
to be developed. We believe that the Coastal Act s30007.5 allows for this
balance because the redesigned Kelly Ranch project is the most protective of
significant coastal resources. Kelly Ranch could have been designed to preserve
over 90% Of the “dual criteria” slopes on the property, however, protection of
fragmented and low quality habitat would in the long term lead to isolated habitat
that would not sustain the plant and animal communities that we are all
concerned about.
The suggested modifications recommended by your staff expand the boundaries
of this open space preserve. While this may seem desirable, it establishes a
precedent that may impact the success of the City’s HMP and even the North
County Multi-Habitat Conservation Plan (MHCP). The City Council will consider
the potential impact the “suggested modifications” could have on its HMP when it
reconsiders the Kelly Ranch LCP Amendment and the redesign of the project.
@ 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive Carlsbad, CA 92008-1 989 (760) 434-2830 FAX (760) 720-9461
CARLSBAD LCP AMt, 43MENT 2-99D
SARA WAN, CHAIRPERSON
JULY 10,2000
PAGE 2
Thank you in advance for considering the issues I have outlined above. The
success of the City’s HMP, the North County MHCP and the Natural
Communities Conservation Plan is important.
A
Sincerely,
CLAUDE A. LEWIS
Mayor
C: Commissioner Dave Potter, Vice Chair
Commissioner Cynthia McClain-Hill
Commissioner Christina L. Dresser
Commissioner John Wooley
Commissioner Pedro Nava
Commissioner Mike Reilly
Commissioner Shirley S. Dettloff
Commissioner Cecilia Estolano
Commissioner Paul Daniels
Commissioner Christine Kehoe
Commissioner Gregg Hart
Alternate Tom Soto
Alternate Edward Lawrence Albert
Alternate Trent Orr
Alternate Annette Rose
Alternate Fran Pavley
Alternate Dave Allgood
Alternate Constance Rice
Alternate Troy S. Fletcher
Alternate Patrick Kruer
Ex-Officio Member Joan Dean
Ex-Officio Member Mary Nichols
Ex-Officio Member Paul Thayer
Ex-Officio Member Pat Neal
Executive Director Peter M. Douglas
Regional Director Chuck Damm
Regional Manager Deborah Lee
District Manager Sherilyn Sarb
Coastal Program Analyst Bill Ponder
Carlsbad City Manager Ray Patchett
Carlsbad Planning Director Michael Holzmiller
Carlsbad Assistant Planning Director Gary Wayne