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Carlsbad council narrowly backs resurfacing and restriping — no sidewalks for Terramar stretch
Summary
After months of outreach, the council voted 3–2 to proceed with resurfacing and restriping Carlsbad Boulevard through Terramar without installing sidewalks now; staff said sidewalks would remove up to 23 parking spaces on the west side and up to 11 on the east side, and the Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission had recommended no sidewalks.
The City Council voted 3–2 to direct staff to proceed with final design for resurfacing and restriping Carlsbad Boulevard in the Terramar area without installing sidewalks, following a lengthy presentation and public comment.
Transportation Director and City Engineer Tom Frank told the council staff had prepared two options after outreach and a Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission review. He said 347 responses were received in the March input form and that the commission voted unanimously to recommend resurfacing and restriping with no sidewalks. Frank said adding sidewalks would reduce on‑street parking: "If sidewalks are installed on the west side, 23 spaces would be removed. On the east side, 11 spaces would be removed. And if sidewalks were installed on both sides, 34 spaces would be removed." (Tom Frank)
Public commenter Paul McManus, a 35‑year Terramar resident, urged the council to consider parking and safety for properties that rely on existing on‑street spaces. Several council members weighed pedestrian safety, neighborhood character, and parking loss in their remarks. Councilmember Acosta said the community vision emphasizes walkability and active lifestyles and urged compromise: "Not having sidewalks on either side of the street along our precious California Coast is not in alignment with these community values... I am open to having a reduced width." (Councilmember Acosta)
Mayor Blackburn and others said stripe-based compromises could add two feet to the west side and preserve the neighborhood character while improving safety. After discussion, Councilmember Shin moved to adopt staff's recommended Option 1 (resurface/restripe; no sidewalks) and the motion passed 3–2.
The council directed staff to proceed with final design work consistent with the adopted direction; staff noted that a secondary project to pursue parking opportunities could be explored after completion of the Seaside Transaction Agreement and other property-transfer work.
