On June 11, the California Coastal Commission approved revisions to various development standards for the Carlsbad Village with very few modifications.
The revisions were proposed by the city of Carlsbad and its redevelopment agency with the hope of encouraging additional development in the Village. The approved revisions allow for increases in residential development that will benefit the downtown businesses, provide more diverse housing and allow for increased commercial development to accommodate additional businesses that could include unique retail stores and other services.
The key development standards that have been revised are:
• Building setbacks: Zero feet for the first floor and 10 feet average for all floors above the first in the central Village for all commercial and/or mixed-use projects. Multi-family developments will be required to have a 10-foot average front setback for all floors, including the ground floor.
• 50 percent of the roof structure for each property must have a roof pitch as currently set forth for each district.
• No requirement to build over parking to obtain height of 45 feet in the central Village.
• Change in how parking is calculated (net vs. gross). This will generally reduce the amount of required parking.
• More creative parking solutions, such as parking lifts and parking elevators.
• Allowance for standards modifications and/or residential density increases above the maximums for Silver or higher LEED project certification, affordable housing, projects that can't meet the minimum density and other projects that meet the goals for the Village.
• Increase permitted density from a maximum of 23 dwelling units per acre to 35 in the central Village.
The commission was supportive of all of the development standards revisions noted above. The additional modifications by the commission require:
• All new developments in the coastal zone of the Village to provide incentives for alternate transit that could include locating near an existing bus stop or transit center and offering transit passes and/or parking for alternate transit vehicles, such as bicycles, electric cars and etc.
• No pole signs to be permitted in the coastal zone of the Village.
• Approved administrative permit for demolition of buildings and/or other development improvements within the coastal zone of the Village area.
• North County Transit District to obtain appropriate development permits from the city and to make findings that all transit development needs can still be met if non-transit development is permitted. However, the commission did agree to allow the district to develop its properties with residential, commercial, mixed-use or other non-transit specific uses without the need for development of a master plan.
The process for approval of the development standard revisions has been a long one. But, in the end, it has been a very successful process.
We look forward to an improving economy so that we can begin to enjoy the benefits available through these revised development standards. If you have questions or comments regarding the revisions or their applicability, call Debbie Fountain at the Housing and Redevelopment Office at (760) 434-2815.
The revisions were proposed by the city of Carlsbad and its redevelopment agency with the hope of encouraging additional development in the Village. The approved revisions allow for increases in residential development that will benefit the downtown businesses, provide more diverse housing and allow for increased commercial development to accommodate additional businesses that could include unique retail stores and other services.
The key development standards that have been revised are:
• Building setbacks: Zero feet for the first floor and 10 feet average for all floors above the first in the central Village for all commercial and/or mixed-use projects. Multi-family developments will be required to have a 10-foot average front setback for all floors, including the ground floor.
• 50 percent of the roof structure for each property must have a roof pitch as currently set forth for each district.
• No requirement to build over parking to obtain height of 45 feet in the central Village.
• Change in how parking is calculated (net vs. gross). This will generally reduce the amount of required parking.
• More creative parking solutions, such as parking lifts and parking elevators.
• Allowance for standards modifications and/or residential density increases above the maximums for Silver or higher LEED project certification, affordable housing, projects that can't meet the minimum density and other projects that meet the goals for the Village.
• Increase permitted density from a maximum of 23 dwelling units per acre to 35 in the central Village.
The commission was supportive of all of the development standards revisions noted above. The additional modifications by the commission require:
• All new developments in the coastal zone of the Village to provide incentives for alternate transit that could include locating near an existing bus stop or transit center and offering transit passes and/or parking for alternate transit vehicles, such as bicycles, electric cars and etc.
• No pole signs to be permitted in the coastal zone of the Village.
• Approved administrative permit for demolition of buildings and/or other development improvements within the coastal zone of the Village area.
• North County Transit District to obtain appropriate development permits from the city and to make findings that all transit development needs can still be met if non-transit development is permitted. However, the commission did agree to allow the district to develop its properties with residential, commercial, mixed-use or other non-transit specific uses without the need for development of a master plan.
The process for approval of the development standard revisions has been a long one. But, in the end, it has been a very successful process.
We look forward to an improving economy so that we can begin to enjoy the benefits available through these revised development standards. If you have questions or comments regarding the revisions or their applicability, call Debbie Fountain at the Housing and Redevelopment Office at (760) 434-2815.