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Council adopts Planning and Historic Preservation commission work plans for 2025–26
Summary
The council unanimously approved two resolutions accepting prior-year accomplishments and authorizing work programs for the Planning Commission and Historic Preservation Commission, with commissioners outlining priorities including large development reviews, CEQA training and a revived plaque program.
The Carlsbad City Council unanimously adopted two resolutions accepting the Planning Commission’s and the Historic Preservation Commission’s reports for the prior year and authorizing their work programs for 2025–26.
Mike Strong, assistant director of community development, told the council the filings fulfill the municipal code requirement that boards and commissions report annually to the city council. “The work plan includes a report on the accomplishments and those tasks and activities that were accomplished in the previous fiscal year,” Strong said.
Planning Commission chair (Means) outlined the commission’s priorities for the coming year, including workshops and recommendations on wireless facility policy, zoning amendments for accessory dwelling units, review of city capital-improvement permits and continued review of major private projects. Means highlighted several large developments expected to return to the commission, naming the Newidge Carlsbad Luxury Resort in Ponto (a proposed 198-room hotel and timeshare component), the Rincon Carlsbad Village Drive project (about 50 residential units) and Sunny Creek (approximately 330 townhomes).
Means also emphasized the commission’s new role reviewing CEQA exemptions and the need for training: staff has scheduled agenda time over the next several months for CEQA training to ensure commissioners understand the exemption standard and quasi-judicial responsibilities.
Historic Preservation Commission Chair Chad Major described priorities for his commission, including a website overhaul, updated brochure materials, restarting the city plaque program and continuing participation in educational projects such as the grade art contest. Major said the commission finalized an evaluation of the Mills Act program earlier in the meeting and recommended a uniform plaque program and incentives tied to a zoning code update.
Councilmembers thanked both commissions for their volunteer work. Councilmember Acosta noted the importance of the Mills Act outreach and urged continued work to publicize incentives to property owners. Councilmember Bob Patel and others praised the commissions’ service and encouraged training and coordination with staff on regional housing legislation that affects local review.
The two resolutions passed on a single motion to adopt both; the council recorded unanimous votes.
