HomeMy WebLinkAboutCD 2018-0026; CARLSBAD VILLAGE LOFTS; Admin Decision LetterFILE
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March 21, 2019
Austin Wermers
5120 Shoreham Place, #150
San Diego, CA 92122
SUBJECT: CD 2018-0026 (DEV16014} -CARLSBAD VILLAGE LOFTS
C City of
Carlsbad
The City Planner has completed a review of your application for a Consistency Determination, CD
2018-0026, which is a request for changes to Carlsbad Village Lofts, RP 16-05/MS 16-06, a four-
story, mixed-use project consisting of 106 apartment units and ground floor commercial located
at 1044 Carlsbad Village Drive. The refinements to the project include the following:
1. An increase in the number of residential parking stalls in the subterranean parking
structure from 185 to 211 stalls, resulting in an increase of 26 parking stalls (1.2
percent increase).
2. A reduction of the commercial area from 10,758 square feet (SF) to 10,169 SF,
resulting in a net decrease of 589 SF or 5.5 percent. The reduction is primarily related
to the elimination of the ground floor office space.
3. The relocation of three (3) residential apartments from an area located above the
ground floor commercial space to the ground floor at the northwest corner to allow
for an increase in the double-volume commercial area.
4. The removal of the roof deck, which eliminates the elevator tower to the roof and
reduces the height of one tower from 59'-0" to 46'-7" (26.6 percent decrease).
5. A modification in the design and increase in height by 1'-10" (47'-6" to 49'-4") of the
southwest tower to complement the contemporary architectural style and the
remaining towers included in the design.
6. The reconfiguration of the residential amenity courtyards and the addition of one
courtyard.
7. A change in the material of the residential deck railings from wood to metal.
8. The conversion of the live-work unit to a studio/loft.
After careful consideration of the request, the City Planner has determined that the request
meets all of the findings below and APPROVES this request.
In order for o Discretionary Permit Consistency Determination to be approved, all of the following
findings must be made:
Community & Economic Development
Planning Division I 1635 Faraday Avenue Carlsbad, CA 92008-7314 I 760-602-4600 I 760-602-8560 f I www.carlsbadca.gov
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1) No project condition, feature, facility or amenity is changed or deleted that had been
considered essential to the project's design, quality, safety or function in that the project
retains the original architectural style and the site plan substantially conforms to the
original approval.
2} The request represents an upgrade in overall design features and or materials and
improves upon the project's compatibility with the surrounding neighborhood in that the
functionality of the ground floor commercial area is enhanced by increasing the size of
the double-volume area. The changes to the architectural tower at the southwest corner
of the building complement the architectural style and the removal of the roof deck
towers the height of the tallest tower from 59'-0" to 46'-7". In addition, the
modification to the courtyards enhances the west elevation by breaking up the mass
and allows for increased exposure to natural light in the courtyards.
3) The proposed revision does not change the density or boundary of the subject property in
that no units are proposed to be added or eliminated and the lot size has not changed;
therefore, the density remains the same.
4) The proposed revision does not involve the addition of a new land use not shown on the
original permit in that a four-story, mixed-use building with 106 apartments units is still
proposed.
5} The proposed revision does not rearrange the major land uses within the development in
that the relocation of three apartments to the ground floor at the northwest corner
enhances the design since it allows for additional double-volume commercial area. The
addition of a courtyard and opening of the courtyards creates an opportunity for views
to the west and adds more natural light to the apartments and the courtyards.
6} The proposed revision does not create changes of greater than ten percent provided that
compliance will be maintained with the applicable development standards of the Carlsbad
Municipal Code in that no additional residential units are proposed, the commercial
square footage is decreasing by 5.5 percent due to the elimination of the office area,
the number of parking spaces is increasing by 1.2 percent, and one {1} of the five (5)
architectural towers is increasing in height by 3.7 percent to a maximum height of 49'-
4". The remaining three (3) architectural towers are proposed to decrease in height by
3.6 percent (maximum height of 48'-8"), 6.5 percent (maximum height 45'-6"}, and 26.6
percent (maximum height of 46'-7").
7) The proposed change will not result in any significant environmental impact, and/or
require additional mitigation.
8) The proposed change would not result in any health, safety or welfare impacts in that the
Fire Department has indicated that in the event of an emergency, access to the building
is enhanced through the opening of the courtyards to the west.
9) There were not any major issues or controversies associated with the original project
which would be exacerbated with the proposed change in that the minor adjustments to
the architecture complement the overall design intent. The removal of the roof deck
also substantially reduces the height of the tallest architectural tower.
10} The proposed change would not be readily discernable to the decision makers as being
substantially different from the project as originally approved in that the architectural
style is not changing. With exception to the materials for the residential decks, the
CD 2019-0026 (DEV16014)-CARLSBAD VILLAGE LOFTS
March 21, 2019
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materials and color scheme remain the same and the maximum height remains at 45'
(with allowable tower projections up to a maximum height of 49'-4" rather than the
approved 59').
After careful consideration of the circumstances surrounding this request, the City Planner has
determined that the application qualifies for a consistency determination with the approved
permit and therefore, approves the changes to the project based on Planning Division
Administrative Policy No. 35.
If you have any questions regarding this matter, please feel free to contact your project planner,
Shannon Harker, at (760) 602-4621 or by email at shannon.harker@carlsbadca.gov.
CITY OF CARLSBAD
DON NEU, AICP
City Planner
DN:SH:mf
c: David Rick, Project Engineer
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