Planning commission approves 50‑unit mixed‑use project in Carlsbad Village over historic‑resource objections

The Carlsbad Planning Commission voted 6–1 Wednesday to approve a five‑story, 50‑unit mixed‑use condominium and retail project at 840 Carlsbad Village Drive after extended questioning about height, parking and possible historic significance.

Senior Planner Edward Valenzuela told commissioners the proposal from Rincon Homes would redevelop a 0.72‑acre bank and drive‑through site into a 92,600‑square‑foot building with 50 residential condominiums, three commercial tenant spaces and a ground‑floor parking garage. The applicant is seeking a 92% state density bonus to increase yield to 50 units (staff described the resulting density as about 69.4 dwelling units per acre) and requested several waivers, including increased height (staff cited building sections up to roughly 63–71 feet and five stories) and reduced commercial parking requirements.

Under state density‑bonus rules and the city’s inclusionary housing ordinance, the project will designate four units as very‑low income and four units as moderate income; Valenzuela…