HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-10-18; Planning Commission; MinutesPLANNING COMMISSION
Minutes
Oct. 18, 2023, 5 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER: 5 p.m.
Council Chamber
1200 Carlsbad Village Drive
Carlsbad, CA 92008
ROLL CALL: Hubinger, Kamenjarin, Lafferty, Sabellico, Sabellico, Merz.
Absent: Merz,Stine.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Sabellico led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Minutes of the Regular Meeting held on Sept. 20, 2023
Minutes of the Regular Meeting held on Oct. 4, 2023
Motion by Commissioner Sabellico, seconded by Commissioner Kamenjarin, the Regular Meeting
held on Sept. 20, 2023. Motion carried, 5/0/2 (Stine, Meenes -Absent)
Motion by Commissioner Kamenjarin, seconded by Commissioner Hubinger, to approve the
minutes as amended of the Regular Meeting held on Oct 4, 2023. Motion carried, 5/0/2 (Stine,
Meenes -Absent)
PRESENTATIONS: None.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
CONSENT CALENDAR: None.
1. EIR 2022-0007 (PUB 2022-0010) HOUSING ELEMENT IMPLEMENTATION AND PUBLIC
SAFETY ELEMENT UPDATE -1) Adoption of a resolution recommending certification of the
final supplemental environmental impact report (EIR 2022-0007) and recommending
adoption of findings of fact, a statement of overriding considerations, and a mitigation
monitoring and reporting program for amendments to the general plan land use and
community design element (including the land use map), public safety element, and
associated amendments to the zoning ordinance, zoning map, local coastal program, and
various master and specific plans: and
2) Adoption of a resolution recommending approval of amendments to the general plan land
use and community design element, including the land use map; and the zoning map
regarding Site 4; and
3) Adoption of a resolution recommending approval of amendments to the General Plan Land
Use and Community Design Element, including the Land Use Map, Ordinance and Zoning
Map, the Local Coastal Program Center Specific Plan, Green Valley Master Plan, North County
Plaza Specific Plan, and Westfield Carlsbad Specific Plan.
Oct 18, 2023 Carlsbad City Council Regular Meeting Page 2
ACTION TYPE: Quasi-Judicial
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Take public input, close the public hearing and adopt
the resolutions.
PLANNER: Scott Donnell ENGINEER: n/a
PUBLIC HEARING:
Chairperson Merz reviewed the modified procedures of the meeting.
Chairperson Merz opened the duly noticed public hearing at 5:11 p.m.
Commissioner Stine arrived at 5:20 p.m.
City Planner, Eric Lardy and Principal Planner, Robert Efird provided a PowerPoint
presentation regarding Exhibit 1, the Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (on file in
the Office of the City Clerk).
Chairperson Merz opened the public testimony at 5:23 p.m.
The following individuals spoke in support of the staff's recommendation regarding Item 1:
Robert Davis, Jennifer Fornal, Bill Hoffman, Saahil Khandwala, Lori Robbins.
The following individuals spoke in opposition of the staffs recommendation regarding Item
1: Laura Brown, Tom Frieder, Howard Krausz, Jamie Augustine, Joanne Talbot.
The following individual spoke and did not support or oppose staff's recommendation
regarding Item 1: Chris Barnes.
In response to Chair Merz' request for ex parte, Commissioner Kamenjarin and Hubinger
expressed they have been to and are familiar with the sites. Commissioner Lafferty indicated
that she is familiar with most of the sites and reviewed the properties on Google Maps.
Commissioner Sabellico added that he is familiar with sites or seen them on Google Maps;
and he has spoken with resident Lance Schulte regarding site 18. Chair Merz noted he is
familiar with the sites.
Commissioners Stine and Sabellico recused themselves due to real estate related conflicts of
interest and left the room at 5:52 p.m.
Hearing no one else wishing to speak, Chairperson Merz closed the public testimony at 5:53
p.m.
In response to Commissioner Hubinger's question, City Planner Lardy explained that the
impact of railroad noise on the project is not required to be considered under CEQA so it was
not reviewed in regard to noise. Mr. Lardy added that the city's consultants, Rincon
Consultants would be available for further comment.
Oct 18, 2023 Carlsbad City Council Regular Meeting Page 3
In response to Commissioner Kamenjarin' s inquiry regarding air quality, Rincon Consultant
Karly Kaufman, explained that as a program level environmental document, specific level of
impact cannot be determined until the building plans are in place and then mitigation
measures will be applied as necessary.
In response to Commissioner Lafferty's inquiry, City Planner Lardy explained that even if one
site builds more inclusionary housing than is required; it will not affect the requirements for
other properties or developments.
In response to Commissioner Lafferty's inquiry, Rincon Consultant Karly Kaufman explained
that developers will have to review building sites that are over 45 years old to determine if a
structure is eligible to be listed on a historical resources data base and appropriate action
would be taken once said determination is made. City Planner Lardy added that a majority
of the sites for this project are vacant or underutilized and staff is not aware of any structures
on any of the sites that are historic.
Motion by Chairperson Merz seconded by Commissioner Lafferty, to adopt Resolution No.
7497. Motion carried, 4/2/1. (Sabellico, Stine -Recused, Meenes -Absent)
Chair Merz called for a recess at 6:25 p.m.
Chair Merz reconvened the meeting at 6:36 p.m.
Commissioner Stine rejoined the Commission at 6:36 p.m.
City Planner Eric Lardy and Principal Planner Robert Efird provided a PowerPoint presentation
regarding Exhibit 3, Map 1. (on file in the Office of the City Clerk).
Motion by Chairperson Merz seconded by Commissioner Stein, to adopt Resolution No. 7498.
Motion carried, (5/0/1/1). (Sabellico -Recused; Meenes-Absent)
Commissioner Sabellico rejoined the Commission at 7:09 p.m.
In response to Chair Merz' request for ex parte, Commissioner Stine indicated that that he
has walked Site Number 4 and is familiar with it.
City Planner Eric Lardy and Principal Planner, Robert Efird reviewed a PowerPoint
presentation regarding Exhibit 3, Map 1. (on file in the Office of the City Clerk).
In response to Commissioner Hubinger's inquiry, City Planner Lardy clarified that what is
changing for the sites is the land use designation and the zoning ordinance to allow for
capacity. City Planner Lardy added that Map 1 gives the city the most flexibility due to the
greater number of housing sites on it.
Oct 18, 2023 Carlsbad City Council Regular Meeting Page 4
In response to Commissioner Stine's inquiry regarding the public's traffic concerns, Associate
Engineer, Nick Gorman, explained that traffic studies will be done at the time of the
development application. Principal Planner, Robert Efird, added that the Planning division
worked with Public Works to conduct traffic analysis for the project as a whole and they found
that arterial levels of service will remain acceptable, where not exempted, if these additional
units are added.
Commissioner Kamenjarin explained that he feels that the housing unit quantities on Map 2
provide more of a buffer for the city and will provide more flexibility than Map 1.
Motion by Chairperson Merz seconded by Commissioner Lafferty, to adopt Resolution No .
7499. Motion carried, (5/1/1) (Kamenjarin -No; Meenes -Absent)
Chairperson Merz closed the duly noticed public hearing at 7:46 p.m.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS:
None.
PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBER REPORTS/COMMENTS:
Commissioner Lafferty reported that the next Historic Preservation Committee meeting will be
on Nov. 13, 2023.
CITY PLANNER REPORTS:
City Planner Lardy reported Nov. 1, 2023 Planning Commission Meeting will likely be canceled
because it is being reserved for the Housing Element. City Planner Lardy added that the
subsequent Planning Commission meeting on Nov. 15, 2023 will continue as planned with two
agenda items on the agenda.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT:
None.
STAFF COMMENTS:
None.
ADJOURNMENT: Chairperson Merz adjourned the meeting at 7:50 p.m.
0/nefi_n_d _____ _
Administrative Secretary