Long before Carlsbad was incorporated as a city more than 50 years ago, reaching all the way back to the days of the Spanish ranchos by the sea, people drawn by Carlsbad's natural beauty and promise of prosperity have made this city their home.
Their personal involvement and high expectations are directly responsible for the quality of life enjoyed and celebrated with great pride in Carlsbad.
One of the city's most powerful tools for success is its award-winning citywide growth management strategy. It was born in the mid-1970s when rapid growth started changing the seaside town. The arrival of nearly 30,000 new residents in 10 years generated much community debate about what was best for Carlsbad.
This resulted in a building moratorium in 1977; unrest about the pace of growth increased. How could Carlsbad continue to create jobs and bring economic progress while managing to preserve the open spaces that make the city such an attractive place to live and to work?
Known as Proposition E, Carlsbad's Growth Management Plan celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. When voters passed Prop E there was a competing slow growth measure; it's hard to remember that Carlsbad had only a handful of parks, one library and a few major roads.
Today, Carlsbad is a world-class city of nearly 100,000 residents, with a nearly perfect blend of economic strength and environmental preservation. The city has definitely grown and changed, what remains the same is the commitment to the highest quality development and services for residents, business owners, and visitors alike.
Staying the course hasn't been easy, though. Tough decisions were made along the way about road improvements, the incorporation of large retail businesses, hotels and golf course, as well as libraries, and recreational facilities. Those decisions were made with plenty of input and much debate.
In the end, the citizens decided what they wanted their city to look like. The Growth Management Plan is the citizen's plan, not a plan imposed upon them by elected officials.
The plan has provided for the opening of three new parks this year: Aviara Community, Hidden Canyon and Pine Street. Planning for the aquatic center at Alga Norte Park is on track complete with walking trails and a new dog park. A municipal golf course is scheduled for completion next summer.
Carlsbad's quality of life and skilled work force is another draw for corporations from around the world. Nearly 500 acres of office and industrial space is in the works, providing expansion and campus opportunities for business at numerous locations that will boost Carlsbad's economy.
From its beaches to Legoland to its world-class golf courses and hotels, Carlsbad's strength as a vacation destination provides $12 million every year into the city's general fund to provide services and maintain its facilities.
But it's not in Carlsbad's nature to sit back and rest on these accomplishments.
Today, Carlsbad stands at another crossroads where its citizens will decide how to manage change. A set of initiatives on the November ballot will determine the future of the property in the Cannon Road area. A volunteer citizens' committee has assessed both the city's proposed measure and a citizen-sponsored initiative. Its analysis is available in a voter information guide, and committee recommendations were included in the city's measure.
Encouraging ongoing community dialogue will ensure the citizens' wishes are heard and acted upon, just as they were 20 years ago with Proposition E. Involvement and healthy community debate remains the key to success.
But no matter how many elegant hotels, golf courses, successful businesses, appealing parks, libraries, or new roads are created, Carlsbad's greatest asset will always be its people. Cities are living, vital things and they are made up of people, not just places. Keeping people engaged will serve the community well for years to come and continue to make Carlsbad the envy of its neighbors.
Their personal involvement and high expectations are directly responsible for the quality of life enjoyed and celebrated with great pride in Carlsbad.
One of the city's most powerful tools for success is its award-winning citywide growth management strategy. It was born in the mid-1970s when rapid growth started changing the seaside town. The arrival of nearly 30,000 new residents in 10 years generated much community debate about what was best for Carlsbad.
This resulted in a building moratorium in 1977; unrest about the pace of growth increased. How could Carlsbad continue to create jobs and bring economic progress while managing to preserve the open spaces that make the city such an attractive place to live and to work?
Known as Proposition E, Carlsbad's Growth Management Plan celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. When voters passed Prop E there was a competing slow growth measure; it's hard to remember that Carlsbad had only a handful of parks, one library and a few major roads.
Today, Carlsbad is a world-class city of nearly 100,000 residents, with a nearly perfect blend of economic strength and environmental preservation. The city has definitely grown and changed, what remains the same is the commitment to the highest quality development and services for residents, business owners, and visitors alike.
Staying the course hasn't been easy, though. Tough decisions were made along the way about road improvements, the incorporation of large retail businesses, hotels and golf course, as well as libraries, and recreational facilities. Those decisions were made with plenty of input and much debate.
In the end, the citizens decided what they wanted their city to look like. The Growth Management Plan is the citizen's plan, not a plan imposed upon them by elected officials.
The plan has provided for the opening of three new parks this year: Aviara Community, Hidden Canyon and Pine Street. Planning for the aquatic center at Alga Norte Park is on track complete with walking trails and a new dog park. A municipal golf course is scheduled for completion next summer.
Carlsbad's quality of life and skilled work force is another draw for corporations from around the world. Nearly 500 acres of office and industrial space is in the works, providing expansion and campus opportunities for business at numerous locations that will boost Carlsbad's economy.
From its beaches to Legoland to its world-class golf courses and hotels, Carlsbad's strength as a vacation destination provides $12 million every year into the city's general fund to provide services and maintain its facilities.
But it's not in Carlsbad's nature to sit back and rest on these accomplishments.
Today, Carlsbad stands at another crossroads where its citizens will decide how to manage change. A set of initiatives on the November ballot will determine the future of the property in the Cannon Road area. A volunteer citizens' committee has assessed both the city's proposed measure and a citizen-sponsored initiative. Its analysis is available in a voter information guide, and committee recommendations were included in the city's measure.
Encouraging ongoing community dialogue will ensure the citizens' wishes are heard and acted upon, just as they were 20 years ago with Proposition E. Involvement and healthy community debate remains the key to success.
But no matter how many elegant hotels, golf courses, successful businesses, appealing parks, libraries, or new roads are created, Carlsbad's greatest asset will always be its people. Cities are living, vital things and they are made up of people, not just places. Keeping people engaged will serve the community well for years to come and continue to make Carlsbad the envy of its neighbors.