HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-04-14; Beach Preservation Commission; ; Park Opportunities Along South Carlsbad’s CoastlineMeeting Date: April 14, 2022
To: Beach Preservation Commission
From: Nikki Matosian, Community Relations Manager
Staff Contact: Nikki Matosian, Community Relations Manager
nikki.matosian@carlsbadca.gov
Subject: Park Opportunities Along South Carlsbad’s Coastline
Recommended Action
Receive an update on a project to create 60 acres of coastal spaces along Carlsbad’s southern
coastline.
Executive Summary
Carlsbad’s southern coastline is largely unchanged from the car-centric 1950s, when Highway
101 (Carlsbad Boulevard) served as the main north-south corridor in the state.
Today, I-5 serves this purpose, creating an opportunity to reclaim the southern coastal corridor
as a place for the community to enjoy. In addition to reconfiguring the road to create more
public spaces, the road eventually needs to be moved away from the coast to protect it from
rising sea levels.
By moving vehicle traffic to the easternmost lanes of Carlsbad Boulevard, about 60 acres of city-
owned land spanning three miles of coastline could be freed up for parks, walking paths, bike
lanes, parking, picnic areas, artwork and other uses the community would enjoy. To put this in
perspective, Carlsbad’s largest park, Poinsettia Community Park, is about 42 acres. The
beachfront park at Pine Avenue is less than one acre.
Discussion
As part of the planning process city staff is seeking input from the Beach Preservation
Commission on ideas and priorities for repurposing this space for the community.
The City of Carlsbad's General Plan includes several guiding principles for south Carlsbad
Boulevard:
•Carlsbad Boulevard shall become more than a road. This transportation corridor shall
provide for recreational, aesthetic and community gathering opportunities that equal
the remarkable character of the land.
Apr. 14, 2022 Item 2 Page 1 of 10
•Community safety shall be a high priority. Create destination that provides a safe public
environment to recreate.
•Strategic public access and parking is a key to success. Development shall capitalize on
opportunities to add/enhance multiple public access points and public parking for the
beach and related recreational amenities.
•Open views are desirable and important to maintaining the character of the area.
Preservation and enhancement of views of ocean, lagoons, and other water bodies and
beaches shall be a high priority in road, landscaping, and amenity design and
development.
•Enhance the area’s vitality through diversity of recreational land uses. Carlsbad
Boulevard development shall provide for amenities, services and goods that attract a
diversity of residents and visitors.
•Create vibrant and sustainable public spaces. Development shall provide for unique and
vibrant coastal gathering spaces where people of all age groups and interests can gather
to enjoy recreational and environmental amenities and supporting commercial uses.
•Connect community, place and spirit. Design shall complement and enhance
connectivity between existing community and regional land uses.
•Environmentally sensitive design is a key objective. Environmentally sensitive
development that respects existing coastal resources is of utmost importance.
•A signature scenic corridor shall be created through design that honors the coastline’s
natural beauty. The resulting improvements will capture the ‘essence’ of Carlsbad;
making it a special place for people from throughout the region with its natural beauty
and vibrant public spaces. Properly carried out, the realigned boulevard will maximize
public views and encourage everyone to slow down and enjoy the scenery.
•Reimagining of Carlsbad Boulevard shall be visionary. The reimagined Carlsbad
Boulevard corridor will incorporate core community values articulated in the Carlsbad
Community Vision by providing:
1.physical connectivity through multi-modal mobility improvements including
bikeways, pedestrian trails, and a traffic-calmed street;
2.social connectivity through creation of memorable public spaces; and
3.economic vitality through a combination of visitor and local-serving
commercial, civic, and recreational uses and services.
The city's General Plan includes policies for how different types of streets are designed.
Carlsbad Boulevard falls under the category of coastal streets, which calls for the following
design elements:
•Primary purpose is to move people along the city’s ocean waterfront and connect
people to the beach, recreation, businesses and residences in close proximity to the
waterfront. The street serves as a destination for people who seek to drive, walk and
bicycle along the ocean waterfront.
•Designed to safely move all modes of travel while enhancing mobility for pedestrians
and bicyclists.
•Vehicle speeds shall be managed to support uses along the coast.
•Enhanced bicycle and pedestrian crossings should be provided, including: – High
visibility crosswalks – Enhanced pedestrian notifications (e.g. responsive push-button
devices) – Enhanced bicycle detection – Bicycle lanes shall be provided and can be
Apr. 14, 2022 Item 2 Page 2 of 10
further enhanced or complemented by other facilities (such as bicycle lane buffers or
off-street pathways).
•Pedestrian facilities should be a minimum of five feet and shall strive for six to eight feet
in width and shall conform to ADA requirements.
•Pedestrian crossing distances should be minimized.
•Trail facilities should be encouraged.
•Opportunities for mid-block pedestrian crossings should be investigated.
•On-street parking should be provided.
•Transit facility and operation improvements should be encouraged.
Fiscal Analysis
No city funding is being requested at this time.
Next Steps
City staff will apply input gathered in early 2022 to design a one-mile segment of Carlsbad
Boulevard from Manzano Drive to Island Way, which is part of a grant funded sea level rise
project. Those designs will be shared with the public in summer 2022, followed by a
presentation to the City Council, which will determine next steps.
Public Notification
This document was noticed in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act (California Government
Code Section 54950 et. Seq.), published and distributed at least 72 hours prior to the meeting
date and time.
Exhibits
1.Maps of city-owned property along the south Carlsbad Boulevard project area
2.Graphic showing an example of land that could be repurposed
Apr. 14, 2022 Item 2 Page 3 of 10
PALOMAR AIRPORT RDCARLSBAD
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Land Ownership*
City of Carlsbad
State of California
South Carlsbad Coastline Land Ownership
Exhibit 1
Apr. 14, 2022 Item 2 Page 4 of 10
PALOMAR AIRPORT RDISLANDWYMANZANO DRCARLSBAD BL
AVENIDA EN CI N AS
CARLSBAD BL
J:\RequestsMarch2015\CityManager\RITM0025406_21\Carlsbad Blvd Ownership - North -11x17.mxd
* Right-of-way and property boundaries are approximate and intended for planning level analysis only
Land Ownership*
City of Carlsbad
State of California
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PACIFIC OCEANPALOMARAIRPORTRD LACOSTAAVPOINSETTIA LNCARLSBAD BLCANNONRD AVENIDAENCINAS
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Area of Interest – Palomar Airport Road
South Carlsbad Coastline Land OwnershipPalomar Airport Road
Apr. 14, 2022 Item 2 Page 5 of 10
PONTORDAVENIDA ENCINAS
ISLANDWYPOINSETTIALNAVENIDA ENCINAS
CARLSBAD BL
C A R L S B AD BL
J:\RequestsMarch2015\CityManager\RITM0025406_21\Carlsbad Blvd Ownership - Middle -11x17.mxd
* Right-of-way and property boundaries are approximate and intended for planning level analysis only
Land Ownership*
City of Carlsbad
State of CaliforniaAV
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PACIFIC OCEANCANNONRDPALOMARAIRPORTRD LACOSTAAVPOINSETTIA LNCARLSBAD BL
AVENIDAENCINAS
CARLSBADBL CARLSBADENCIN
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Area of Interest – Poinsettia Lane
South Carlsbad Coastline Land OwnershipPoinsettia Lane
Apr. 14, 2022 Item 2 Page 6 of 10
PONTORDCARLSBADENCINITASLACOSTAAVCARLSBAD BL
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NASJ:\RequestsMarch2015\CityManager\RITM0025406_21\Carlsbad Blvd Ownership - South -11x17.mxd
* Right-of-way and property boundaries are approximate and intended for planning level analysis only
Land Ownership*
City of Carlsbad
State of CaliforniaAV
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PACIFIC OCEANCANNONRDPALOMARAIRPORTRD LACOSTAAVPOINSETTIA LNCARLSBAD BL
AVENIDAENCINAS CARLSBADENCIN
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Area of Interest – Avenida Encinas
South Carlsbad Coastline Land OwnershipAvenida Encinas
Apr. 14, 2022 Item 2 Page 7 of 10
Conceptual example of how realigning south Carlsbad Boulevard could free up acres of city-owned coastal
land for the community to enjoy.
South Carlsbad Coastline Project
Exhibit 2
Apr. 14, 2022 Item 2 Page 8 of 10
Conceptual example of how realigning south Carlsbad Boulevard could free up acres of city-owned coastal
land for the community to enjoy.
South Carlsbad Coastline Project
Apr. 14, 2022 Item 2 Page 9 of 10
Conceptual example of how realigning south Carlsbad Boulevard could free up acres of city-owned coastal
land for the community to enjoy.
South Carlsbad Coastline Project
Apr. 14, 2022 Item 2 Page 10 of 10