Spring in Carlsbad means that any day now, the Flower Fields, will open. For Carlsbad residents, many of whom regularly drive by the beautiful annual display of colorful flowers, this has become an eagerly awaited annual feast for the eyes that we have looked forward to since the first Rannunculus were planted. Recently, we have received inquiries over whether the Flower Fields might be considered for future development.
In 1993, the City of Carlsbad worked to create a unique private enterprise/public institution agreement to guarantee the parcel of land, known as the Flower Fields', perpetuation as a viable commercial business and vibrant tourist attraction. Land was set aside, 53.42 acres, and the City placed a condition on the property that it could only be used for agricultural purposes. Additionally, money was set aside to fund the Fields' ongoing operations. The intent to preserve the flower fields was written into the Carlsbad General Plan in 1994.
Today, that operation has bloomed into an operation representing a partnership of working agriculture and regional landmark. More than 150,000 people visit the Flower Fields every year. It is still the only place in the world that allows visitors to experience Ranunculus flowers up-close and personal.
The only way the agreement between the City and the property owner could be changed is if the property owner was to provide a five-year advance notice and the City Council was to approve a modification after a public hearing. The City, however, has the first right to purchase the Flower Fields for purposes of keeping them in agricultural production and could use money set-aside in a special fund by the developer to fund the purchase.
Although the property that the Flower Fields are on has conditions preventing development, the property surrounding the fields is privately owned. There is no requirement to use the land next to the Flower Fields for agricultural use. These three parcels are presently for sale by a private property owner. No specific projects, however, have been proposed or brought to the Council for review. Any project would have to undergo intense public scrutiny by the City Council and the Coastal Commission.
While the future development of the private property nearby may be in question, residents can rest assured that the Flower Fields, will provide spectacular color and remain a Carlsbad landmark.
Commonly Asked Questions regarding the Flower Fields are:
1. Can the Carlsbad Flower Fields? be turned into homes & shopping centers?
No, the Flower Fields? are part of a 53.42-acre property in the Carlsbad Ranch. As part of the approval of the Carlsbad Ranch project in 1994, the City placed a condition that required the property owner to preserve the Flower Fields and keep them in flower production in perpetuity.
2. Is there anyway to change this requirement?
This requirement can only be modified if the property owner provides a five-year advance notice and the Carlsbad City Council approves a modification after conducting a public hearing.
3. Does the City have an option to purchase the Flower Fields property if the property owner provides the five-year notice?
Yes. The City has the right of first refusal to purchase the Flower Fields for purposes of keeping them in flower production.
4. Who pays for the Flower Fields??
The agricultural mitigation fees paid by the Carlsbad Ranch project ($935,000) were placed into a special account held by the City. Interest from this account is used for grants to enhance the continuation of flower production at the Fields. The City has awarded these grants annually since 1996.
5. Can the money be used to purchase the Flower Fields? if the property owner provides a 5-year notice?
Yes. If the property owner wanted to sell the property or modify the use after providing the five-year notice, the $935,000 could be used by the city to acquire the Fields and keep them in flower production.
6. Is the land located adjacent to Cannon Road part of the Flower Fields??
No. Although people sometimes perceive it as part of the overall Flower Fields? operation, the property to the north is known as Planning Area 8a. It is not part of the preserve, although the same company, Carltas Development, presently owns it.
7. Are these properties required to be used for farming?
No. Under the Carlsbad Ranch Specific Plan, the northerly portion of the property of the property allows for golf course and related uses. From time to time the land has been used for agriculture, flower production, research related to flower production and storage of materials used for the operation of the Flower Fields?, but the land is not exclusively zoned for agricultural use. These two parcels are presently for sale with the intent to use them for an alternative use.
City News & Updates…
On January 17, Carlsbad Mayor Bud Lewis called for the City Attorney to review the City's development processes to ensure the public that the City is following state and federal laws. In future columns, the results of that inquiry will be reviewed as well as an overview of the development process.
Did you know the City produces a monthly report of building permits issued? Have you wondered how the City budget is managed? This information and more is available on the City's website. Additionally, a monthly newsletter with highlights of City news and events is available to subscribers. Just sign up under "Subscriptions" on the home page at www.carlsbadca.gov.
In 1993, the City of Carlsbad worked to create a unique private enterprise/public institution agreement to guarantee the parcel of land, known as the Flower Fields', perpetuation as a viable commercial business and vibrant tourist attraction. Land was set aside, 53.42 acres, and the City placed a condition on the property that it could only be used for agricultural purposes. Additionally, money was set aside to fund the Fields' ongoing operations. The intent to preserve the flower fields was written into the Carlsbad General Plan in 1994.
Today, that operation has bloomed into an operation representing a partnership of working agriculture and regional landmark. More than 150,000 people visit the Flower Fields every year. It is still the only place in the world that allows visitors to experience Ranunculus flowers up-close and personal.
The only way the agreement between the City and the property owner could be changed is if the property owner was to provide a five-year advance notice and the City Council was to approve a modification after a public hearing. The City, however, has the first right to purchase the Flower Fields for purposes of keeping them in agricultural production and could use money set-aside in a special fund by the developer to fund the purchase.
Although the property that the Flower Fields are on has conditions preventing development, the property surrounding the fields is privately owned. There is no requirement to use the land next to the Flower Fields for agricultural use. These three parcels are presently for sale by a private property owner. No specific projects, however, have been proposed or brought to the Council for review. Any project would have to undergo intense public scrutiny by the City Council and the Coastal Commission.
While the future development of the private property nearby may be in question, residents can rest assured that the Flower Fields, will provide spectacular color and remain a Carlsbad landmark.
Commonly Asked Questions regarding the Flower Fields are:
1. Can the Carlsbad Flower Fields? be turned into homes & shopping centers?
No, the Flower Fields? are part of a 53.42-acre property in the Carlsbad Ranch. As part of the approval of the Carlsbad Ranch project in 1994, the City placed a condition that required the property owner to preserve the Flower Fields and keep them in flower production in perpetuity.
2. Is there anyway to change this requirement?
This requirement can only be modified if the property owner provides a five-year advance notice and the Carlsbad City Council approves a modification after conducting a public hearing.
3. Does the City have an option to purchase the Flower Fields property if the property owner provides the five-year notice?
Yes. The City has the right of first refusal to purchase the Flower Fields for purposes of keeping them in flower production.
4. Who pays for the Flower Fields??
The agricultural mitigation fees paid by the Carlsbad Ranch project ($935,000) were placed into a special account held by the City. Interest from this account is used for grants to enhance the continuation of flower production at the Fields. The City has awarded these grants annually since 1996.
5. Can the money be used to purchase the Flower Fields? if the property owner provides a 5-year notice?
Yes. If the property owner wanted to sell the property or modify the use after providing the five-year notice, the $935,000 could be used by the city to acquire the Fields and keep them in flower production.
6. Is the land located adjacent to Cannon Road part of the Flower Fields??
No. Although people sometimes perceive it as part of the overall Flower Fields? operation, the property to the north is known as Planning Area 8a. It is not part of the preserve, although the same company, Carltas Development, presently owns it.
7. Are these properties required to be used for farming?
No. Under the Carlsbad Ranch Specific Plan, the northerly portion of the property of the property allows for golf course and related uses. From time to time the land has been used for agriculture, flower production, research related to flower production and storage of materials used for the operation of the Flower Fields?, but the land is not exclusively zoned for agricultural use. These two parcels are presently for sale with the intent to use them for an alternative use.
City News & Updates…
On January 17, Carlsbad Mayor Bud Lewis called for the City Attorney to review the City's development processes to ensure the public that the City is following state and federal laws. In future columns, the results of that inquiry will be reviewed as well as an overview of the development process.
Did you know the City produces a monthly report of building permits issued? Have you wondered how the City budget is managed? This information and more is available on the City's website. Additionally, a monthly newsletter with highlights of City news and events is available to subscribers. Just sign up under "Subscriptions" on the home page at www.carlsbadca.gov.