Carlsbad council members seek follow-ups on sober living homes, state parks and coastal projects

Council members used the subcommittee’s comment period on Sept. 9 to request follow‑up briefings and local outreach on sober living homes, state parks maintenance and coastal projects.

Council member Burkholder said she is organizing a meeting on Sept. 11 to discuss sober living homes and noted the city has materials from state offices to support local conversations. “We are just opening a conversation,” she said. Council member Acosta said he has worked with people in recovery who live in sober living homes and asked staff to assemble information about the number and distribution of those homes in Carlsbad so the council can better understand whether regulatory or support actions are warranted.

Members also asked staff to invite representatives from California State Parks to discuss facility management, recent ADA access work at South Carlsbad State Beach and a pilot native-habitat restoration area at Ponto. Burkholder said residents frequently ask about the cordoned-off area at Ponto and suggested a State Parks briefing describe the goals and science behind the restoration project.

Mr. Haber, city administrative staff, said the California Coastal Commission was unable to provide a speaker because of staffing capacity but that the committee could seek the city’s local coastal commissioner as an alternative. Council members requested the city continue outreach to find an appropriate presenter and suggested coordinating the parks discussion with questions about sea-level-rise planning and campground management.

No formal action was taken; council members asked staff to report back with options and potential dates for the requested briefings.