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Commission approves three-unit development at 314 Date Avenue, despite neighborhood parking concerns
Summary
The Planning Commission adopted a resolution approving a three-unit site development plan and coastal permit for 314 Date Avenue (0.47 acres). Commissioners acknowledged neighborhood parking and beach-traffic concerns but concluded the proposal meets code and coastal requirements and voted 6–0 to approve.
The Carlsbad Planning Commission unanimously approved a site development plan and coastal development permit for a three-unit residential project at 314 Date Avenue on June 19.
Associate planner Lauren Izagiri told commissioners the 0.47-acre project proposes three single-family homes and includes a parking-modification request under CMC section 21.44.040. The staff report noted the project meets the R8 general-plan designation and the beach-area overlay standards; a cultural-resources analysis found the existing structures do not qualify as historic resources. "Staff recommends that the planning commission adopt the resolution approving the site development plan and coastal development permit," Izagiri said.
Architect Don Looney and project designer Anthony Ruiz presented renderings showing a three-bedroom, 4,064-square-foot front unit with a three-car garage; a middle one-bedroom unit (about 680 sq ft) with a pool patio; and a rear studio unit (about 260 sq ft) with a one-car garage. The applicant said the site plan demonstrates sufficient on-site parking and includes a condition requiring an uncovered parking space for Unit 3 to ensure adequate parking.
Nearby residents offered mixed comments. Phil Martin and Linda Brackman voiced support, saying the new homes would improve neighborhood character. Paula Koons and other neighbors raised safety concerns tied to narrow, dead-end streets, lack of sidewalks, beach-related parking pressures, and additional traffic; Koons said the neighborhood has a single access point used by roughly 241 residences and asked whether traffic counts had been performed.
City engineering staff (Jason Gelder) told the commission the project must meet strict water-quality and drainage requirements; any increase in stormwater flow must be attenuated and treated with retention/detention and biofiltration. Staff also noted the project would be conditioned to enter a neighborhood improvement agreement if future street improvements were pursued.
Commissioners acknowledged beach parking and traffic problems in the area but said the proposal is less dense than the site's maximum and fits the neighborhood scale. Commissioner Stein called the design a "tremendous improvement" over the existing structure, and Commissioner Means moved to approve the staff recommendation. The motion passed unanimously, 6–0. The commission closed the public hearing on item 2.
What this means: The resolution approving the site development plan and coastal development permit will be incorporated into the project record; staff noted conditions requiring parking management and drainage controls. Residents who raised outreach and traffic concerns may raise those issues in subsequent review or enforcement proceedings if problems arise during construction.
