Carlsbad City Officials Discuss New Density Bonus for Affordable Housing Units

The City of Carlsbad's Planning Commission meeting on August 20, 2025, focused on the city's housing strategy and the implications of recent developments in residential zoning. A significant discussion centered around the conversion of a hotel into residential units, which is part of the city's efforts to meet its housing needs as outlined in the approved housing element.

City officials explained that projects seeking a density bonus must remain as rental units, emphasizing the importance of maintaining affordable housing options. The city is currently working to address its housing allocation, which is determined every eight years by the Department of Finance in collaboration with local agencies like SANDAG. Carlsbad, along with 18 other jurisdictions in the San Diego region, has been assigned specific housing growth targets.

The city recently adopted a rezoning program, certified by the California Coastal Commission, to facilitate the development of additional housing. This program aims to address a shortfall in the city's land use inventory necessary to meet future housing demands. Officials noted that the hotel conversion project was not initially included in the residential land inventory, as it was expected to remain a commercial property. However, the conversion will contribute to the city's housing stock and help fulfill state reporting requirements regarding housing production.

The Planning Commission highlighted the importance of tracking building permits issued against the city's housing needs. The annual report, due in March, will detail how many units have been produced across various income categories, including low and very low-income housing. While the city has made some progress in these areas, officials acknowledged that it has not met the anticipated targets, a challenge faced by many cities in California.

The meeting underscored the state's ongoing efforts to encourage local agencies to actively pursue housing projects, including the implementation of SB 35, which streamlines the development process for cities that fail to meet their housing targets. As Carlsbad moves forward with its housing initiatives, the outcomes of these discussions will play a crucial role in shaping the city's approach to addressing its housing needs.