Carlsbad subcommittee hears wide public support for 'Our Neighborhood Voices' local‑control initiative; council debates timing of endorsement

Summary

Public speakers urged the subcommittee to endorse a proposed constitutional amendment, Our Neighborhood Voices, to restore local land‑use control; councilmembers praised the principle but deferred endorsement until initiative language is finalized and procedural questions about city action were clarified.

Dozens of residents and representatives of a statewide coalition urged the Carlsbad City Council legislative subcommittee to support a proposed constitutional amendment called Our Neighborhood Voices that would return broad land‑use authority to local governments.

Speakers during public comment included Dean Szabo, Steve Linke, Mike Lewis, Nils Narenheim and Diane Bedrosian. Many said state housing laws in recent years had diminished cities’ authority and produced market‑rate development without local input or affordable housing guarantees.

Mike Lewis read a statement from the Encinitas mayor that he said reflected many cities’ frustration: “This decision is based on the unavoidable ramifications of state housing policies coupled with credible threats from HCD that will result in unavoidable and even greater harm to the city's…

Carlsbad subcommittee hears wide public support for 'Our Neighborhood Voices' local‑control initiative; council debates timing of endorsement

Summary

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