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Carlsbad planning panel approves variance for Normandy Lane accessory dwelling unit
Summary
The City of Carlsbad Planning Commission on June 18 approved a variance, coastal development permit and CEQA exemption to convert a garage into a two-story 1,025-square-foot accessory dwelling unit at 224–226 Normandy Lane. The decision was unanimous; no public comment was received.
The City of Carlsbad Planning Commission on June 18 approved a variance and coastal development permit to convert and expand a detached garage into a two‑story, approximately 1,025‑square‑foot accessory dwelling unit (ADU) at 224–226 Normandy Lane, and approved a concurrent California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exemption for the project.
Senior Planner Borne told commissioners the project is on a 0.06‑acre (about 3,000‑square‑foot) substandard lot in the R‑3 multiple‑family residential zone and the beach area overlay. The applicant proposed an 86‑square‑foot first‑floor addition and a 444‑square‑foot second floor, producing a two‑story ADU about 21 feet tall; the request includes a variance to exceed the 18‑foot ADU height limit. Borne said many adjacent parcels are two to three stories and that the lot cannot accommodate the ADU without the height variance. Staff recommended approval, including a CEQA categorical exemption under CEQA Guidelines section 15303 for small residential structures.
The project will remove a one‑car garage and retain one on‑site parking space in the driveway. Borne said that if the ADU were to encroach into the front yard setback — an option under state ADU law for units up to 800 square feet — the remaining driveway parking could be lost.
Commissioners asked about neighborhood building heights, parking and the CEQA procedure. Commissioner Stein, after walking the area, said the neighborhood is “chock full of 2 and sometimes 3 story buildings” and that denying the variance would leave the property owner unable to pursue the same opportunities neighboring owners have used. Stein said the exemption appeared to apply and stated, “In other words, another 3 feet.”
Commissioner Lafferty expressed concerns about safety and precedent, saying, “I have a lot of problems with this project being on the lot line, with no additional fire preventative methods.” Lafferty also questioned whether granting a variance on tightly configured, substandard lots could set a difficult precedent.
Staff and other commissioners noted the municipal code and recent council direction on how CEQA exemptions are processed. Mr. Strong (staff) explained the ordinance change and how it affects the final decision maker, saying, “The ordinance change did not make any direction or provide any guidance on the manner in which the final decision making body when making a environmental determination of exemption needs to make, the format of that decision.” Commissioners agreed that, for a small project, combining the CEQA exemption and project approvals in a single resolution was procedurally acceptable.
No members of the public submitted speaker slips. After discussion the commission voted to approve the resolution prepared in the staff report — which included the CEQA exemption, coastal development permit and height variance. Commissioner Stein made the motion to approve the Planning Commission resolution in the staff report; Commissioner Mertz seconded. The motion passed unanimously, recorded as 6–0 with one commissioner absent.
The commission closed the public hearing and moved on to other business. Staff noted a planned CEQA procedural presentation for the commission in the coming fiscal year and reminded members of upcoming meetings on July 2 and July 16.
