Carlsbad planning commission recommends approval of Roosevelt mixed‑use project, 4‑0, amid parking concerns

The Carlsbad Planning Commission voted 4‑0 on April 2 to recommend that City Council approve the Roosevelt mixed‑use development at 2621 Roosevelt Street, a proposal to demolish an existing two‑story commercial building and construct a four‑story structure with about 5,400 square feet of ground‑floor commercial space and 23 residential units.

The recommendation includes two linked actions: a finding that the project is categorically exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review under an infill exemption and approval of the site development plan with the applicant’s requested density bonus, concessions and waivers. The commission’s approval followed staff’s recommendation and public comment that emphasized parking and design concerns.

Associate Planner Kyle Van Lewin described the project site as a 0.46‑acre, infill parcel in the Village and Barrio master plan area and summarized the proposal: demolition of a two‑story commercial structure, a new mixed‑use building with five ground‑floor tenant spaces, 23 residences, and a parking garage with 24 residential parking spaces. Van Lewin said the applicant requests two 50% density bonuses tied to dedicating two very‑low‑income units and two moderate‑income units, which together…