HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-09-01; Housing Element Implementation Status (Districts - All); Barberio, GaryCouncil Memo - Housing Element Implementation Status (Districts -All)
September 1, 2022
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Due to the land use assumptions SAN DAG used in the Regional Transportation Plan1, ABM2+
must be tailored to individual jurisdictions. Originally, SAN DAG estimated the customizable
version would be available in late June. Based on this schedule, SAN DAG indicated it could "run"
a Carlsbad-specific model by late July or August, factoring in model run times and similar
requests from other jurisdictions. However, SAN DAG did not release the model until July 15 and
now estimates a model run specifically for Carlsbad will not occur until this fall. This could be
further delayed if SAN DAG proceeds with updating the 2021 Regional Transportation Plan to
remove the "Road User Charge" that was included in the projections.
The revised timeline from SAN DAG delays by at least a month project processing and release of
the city's draft SEIR. Additionally, staff is concerned about the vagueness of the "fall" timeframe
and the possibility that more delay that would impact not only the rezoning process, but the CAP
update. A delay could also result, for example, if the SAND AG Board directed changes to the
2021 Regional Plan that could be prioritized above agency requests.
Next Steps
Staff will continue to monitor SANDAG's progress and may consider what, if any, options are
available to acquire the necessary modeling data. For example, now that a customizable version
of ABM2+ is available, hiring a consultant to run a Carlsbad-specific model instead of SAN DAG is
possible. While this may provide more certainty in project scheduling, the feasibility, timing, and
expense of this option is not known. Carlsbad could also develop its own travel demand model
instead of utilizing SANDAG's; however, the time it would take to do so renders it an unlikely
alternative.
Additionally, staff recently sent a letter to SAN DAG, provided as Attachment A, outlining
Carlsbad's concerns with SANDAG's timing and reiterating the importance of the customization
required. The city and its consultant continue work on SEIR content not dependent on the
modeling results. Technical studies (e.g., biology) are already underway. Planning for public
scoping meetings is occurring as well. The meetings, one virtual and one in-person, which will
enable community input on potential environmental impacts, are a necessary step in the
preparation of an Environmental Impact Report. Staff is now planning the scoping meetings
taking place in September, after Labor Day, in recognition of the delay in project processing.
Meetings will be noticed to owners and occupants surrounding all potential housing sites along
with notice to the city's Housing Element email list, and staff will prepare a City Council
Memorandum to inform of the outreach and meeting dates.
Release of the draft SEIR was anticipated for early 2023 followed by public hearings to consider
approval of site rezonings in spring 2023. It is now reasonable to expect these timeframes may
be pushed at least a month. Staff will provide an additional update to the City Council when
1 The city sent SAN DAG two comment letters on the 2021 Regional Transportation Plan, including remarks on land use. The
letters are part of an October 21, 2021, Council Memorandum available at:
https://records.carlsbadca.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=5493674&dbid=0&repo=CityofCarlsbad&searchid=de2d7383-2f4b-
49fc-bdbb-3f5c39a02256.