Carlsbad planning commission votes 3–2 to continue Carlsbad Village hearing to June 19 after CEQA, VMT concerns

The Carlsbad Planning Commission voted 3–2 on June 5 to continue the hearing on the Carlsbad Village Mixed‑Use Project to a date‑certain of June 19 at 5 p.m. in council chambers, after a split among commissioners and multiple public commenters urged delay while questions about a CEQA exemption and the project’s vehicle‑miles‑traveled analysis are addressed.

The decision followed a series of non‑agenda public comments and discussion with the applicant and staff. Resident Christine Wright asked the commission to postpone consideration until after the vacant planning commission seat is filled and to remand the city planner’s CEQA exemption determination back to staff so the public may comment, saying notification had been flawed. ‘‘I would like the commission to grant the request by the developer to a date after June 25 or after the vacant planning commissioner spot is filled,’’ Wright said.

Another commenter identified from the clerk’s list as Steve Linke challenged the staff’s VMT analysis supporting the CEQA exemption and urged reopening public comment. Linke said the exemption’s claimed ‘‘net reduction of over 20,000 daily vehicle miles is absurd’’ and estimated the project could instead add ‘‘about 20,000 to 40,000 vehicle miles traveled,’’ which, he argued, would make the project ineligible for the exemption.

The applicant’s project manager, Jonathan Frankel of Tule Interest, said the applicant requested a continuance to allow consideration by more commissioners but said his team ‘‘would be comfortable proceeding on June 19 with 6 members.’’ City planning staff described the commission’s historical practice of offering continuances when membership is below full strength and suggested a date‑certain continuance to June 19 as an option.

Commissioner Roy Means moved to continue the hearing to June 19; Commissioner Joseph Stein seconded. By voice vote, Commissioners Hubinger, Means and Stein voted yes; Commissioner Alicia Lafferty and the chair voted no. The motion carried 3–2. The hearing will resume June 19 at 5 p.m. in council chambers at 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive.

What happened next: staff said the continued item will be first on the June 19 agenda and that the planning department will discuss schedule changes with applicants if the item is expected to run long. The commission also noted there will be city council items on June 25 including the growth management plan annual report and a variance the commission previously reviewed.

The transcript records public concern about the CEQA exemption and the VMT calculation; commissioners did not take a substantive vote on the underlying project at this meeting and did not rule on the exemption itself. The continuance means the commission will revisit the project, public testimony and any staff responses on June 19.