HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-07-07; Planning Commission; Minutes.
PLANNING COMMISSION
M. 1nutes
City Council Chamber
1200 Carlsbad Village Drive
Carlsbad, CA 92008
July 7, 2021
CALL TO ORDER: 3 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Kamenjarin, Lafferty, Luna, Meenes, Merz, Sabellico, and Stine
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Motion by Commissioner Luna, seconded by Chair Meenes, to approve the June 2, 2021 minutes. Motion
carried 6/0/1 (Commissioner Lafferty abstained).
Motion by Commissioner Lafferty, seconded by Commissioner Stine, to approve the June 16, 2021
minutes as amended. Motion carried 7/0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT LISTED ON THE AGENDA:
None
PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING:
Chair Meenes directed everyone's attention to the slide on the screen to review the procedures the
Commission would be following for that evening's public hearing.
Chair Meenes opened the public hearing for Item 1.
1. CDP 2020-0024/SDP 2020-0002 (DEV2020-0130)-TOYOTA CARLSBAD -Request for approval of a
Coastal Development Permit and Site Development Plan for the demolition of the existing
dealership buildings and the construction of a new 24,381 square-foot automobile dealership,
located on a 2.93-acre lot at 5424 Paseo del Norte, within the Car Country Carlsbad Specific Plan (SP
19(J)), the Mello II Segment of the local Coastal Program and Local Facilities Management Zone 3.
The project site is not located within the appealable area of the California Coastal Commission. The
City Planner has determined that this project belongs to a class of projects that the State Secretary
for Resources has found do not have a significant impact on the environment, and is therefore
categorically exempt from the requirement for the preparation of environmental documents
pursuant to section 15332 -In-fill Development Projects of the state CEQA guidelines
City Planner Neu introduced Agenda Item 1 and stated Associate Planner Danna would make the staff
presentation (on file in the Planning Division).
DISCLOSURES:
Commissioners Lafferty, Stine, Luna, Sabellico, Merz, and Meenes disclosed they have been by the site.
Chair Meenes asked if there were any members of the public who wished to speak on the project. Seeing
none, he opened and closed public testimony at 3:34 p.m.
Planning Commission Minutes July 7, 2021 Page 2
COMMISSION DISCUSSION:
Commissioner Stine asked about available visitor parking at the site.
ACTION:
Motion by Commissioner Stine, seconded by Commissioner Luna, to adopt Resolution No. 7420. Motion
carried, 7 /0.
2. GPA 14-05/ZC 14-03/LCPA 14-05/SDP 14-14/SUP 14-05/HMP 14-03/MS 14-12 (DEV14058) -
INNS AT BUENA VISTA CREEK -Request for a recommendation of approval for a General Plan
Amendment, Zone Change, and Local Coastal Program Amendment to change the land use on
a 2.66-acre property from Regional Commercial (R) to Open Space (OS) and to change the
zoning from General Commercial (C-2) to Open Space (OS); and a recommendation of approval
for a Minor Site Development Plan, Floodplain Special Use Permit, Habitat Management Plan
Permit and Minor Subdivision to subdivide a 2.66-acre parcel into two open space parcels for
habitat restoration/wetland buffer; and to allow for 1) the realignment and improvement of an
existing storm drain line and outlet, 2) the realignment of an existing sewer line, 3) the addition
of new water service line; 4) minor grading within a floodplain; 5) minor improvements to the
Shoppes at Carlsbad Ring Road and parking lot, and 6) the incidental take of species of concern
in association with the development of a hotel project in the city of Oceanside along Carlsbad's
northern border generally located south of State Route 78 and east of Jefferson Street within
the Mello II Segment of the Local Coastal Program and Local Facilities Management Zone 1.
This project is located within the appeals area and the decision may be appealed to the
California Coastal Commission. The City Planner has determined that the potential
environmental effects of the project were adequately analyzed by a previously certified
Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP)
for the construction of the Inns at Buena Vista Creek as adopted by the City of Oceanside acting
as Lead Agency in the preparation of the EIR and assigned State Clearinghouse No.
2014061090.
City Planner Neu introduced Agenda Item 2 and stated Senior Planner Goff would make the staff
presentation (on file in the Planning Division).
DISCLOSURES:
Commissioners Meenes, Stine, Luna, Merz, Kamenjarin, Sabellico, and Lafferty disclosed they have driven
by the site.
The applicant team gave a pre-recorded presentation on the project (on file in the Planning Division).
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Chair Meenes asked if there were any members of the public who wished to speak on the project. He
opened public testimony at 4:53 p.m.
Diane Nygaard, on behalf of Preserve Calavera, submitted comments concerning the GHG emissions from
vehicle trips that the hotel development project will create. She stated she would like to see additional
climate action mitigation efforts from the developer and understands the lead agency is the City of
Oceanside.
Planning Commission Minutes July 7, 2021 Page 3
Chair Meenes asked if there were any additional members of the public who wished to speak on the
project. Seeing none, he closed public testimony at 4:55 p.m.
COMMISSION DISCUSSION:
Commissioner Lafferty shared concerns that the current EIR for the creek maintenance does not take into
account that the type of maintenance needed for the creek will potentially change once the proposed
project is built. She stated she would like to see additional conditions added to cover the maintenance.
Senior Planner Goff gave a brief overview of the creek maintenance procedures and advised the EIR is
routinely updated and certified to ensure adequate maintenance is conducted.
City Planner Neu added that with the EIR being a separate CEQA document it could be problematic in
creating conditions outside the EIR. He stated the efforts to maintain the creek channel would best be
accomplished by keeping it separate from the conditions of approval of the subject project.
Commissioner Stine asked what benefits the proposed project will bring to the City of Carlsbad.
Members of the applicant team shared that parts of the wildland buffer will be restored, economic
benefits will result from hotel guests dining and shopping in city limits, a proper road for creek
maintenance will be built for channel maintenance.
Commissioners Stine, Sabellico, and Chair Meenes, acknowledged that the benefits of the proposed
project could have a positive effect on the economy of the city and the environmental benefits will
enhance the habitat management of the area.
Commissioner Luna stated she is comfortable with the conditions of approval and supports the approval.
Commissioner Merz stated the piece of land within the city boundaries is going to be put to good use and
supports the project.
Commissioner Kamenjarin stated the liabilities, trouble and maintenance that the proposed project would
cause on the City of Carlsbad do not outweigh the potential economic benefits. He stated he would be
opposed at this time.
Commissioner Lafferty stated the conditions do not properly address the creek maintenance; and the
actual maintenance needed once the project is built is unknown. She stated she cannot support the
project unless a condition was added to address the creek maintenance somehow. She also stated
concern that the project does not integrate an interactive experience with the creek.
ACTION:
Motion by Commissioner Luna, seconded by Chair Meenes, to adopt Resolution No's. 7418 & 7419.
Motion carried, 5/2 (Commissioners Kamenjarin and Lafferty no).
PLANNING COMMISSION REPORTS/COMMENTS:
Commissioner Lafferty gave the commission a brief update on the next Historic Preservation meeting.
CITY PLANNER REPORTS:
Planning Commission Minutes July 7, 2021 Page4
City Planner Neu gave a brief update on the status of the Housing Element.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORTS:
None
Commissioner Kamenjarin requested that the start time of the Planning Commission be added to the next
agenda for a discussion.
ACTION:
Motion by Commissioner Kamenjarin, seconded by Commissioner Luna to add discussion of amending the
Planning Commission procedures to change the start time of meetings to the next agenda. Motion carried
4/3 (Commissioners Meenes, Merz, and Sabellico no).
ADJOURNMENT:
Chair Meenes adjourned the duly noticed meeting at 5:53 p.m.
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Melissa Flores -Minutes Clerk