Planning Commission approves 2026 Zone Code Clean Up - 2026-0001/MCA 2026-0002/LCPA 2026-0025, 5–1

Fiscal Year 2025-26 Housing Trust Fund Annual Report

5 yes, 0 no

Jan Neff-Sinclair (yes), Christopher Shayne Horton (yes), Chih-Wu Chang (yes), Barbara Berger (yes), Michael Ydigoras (yes)

2026 Zone Code Clean Up - 2026-0001/MCA 2026-0002/LCPA 2026-0025

5 yes, 1 no

Kiley Fitzgerald (yes), Peter Merz (yes), Roy Meenes (yes), Alicia Lafferty (no), Dave Hubinger (yes), Spencer Burrows (yes)

Fairfield Apartments at Bressi Ranch - SDP 2024-0009

4 yes, 0 no

Peter Merz (yes), Roy Meenes (yes), Kiley Fitzgerald (yes), Dave Hubinger (yes)

Adoption of 2027 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Calendar

5 yes, 0 no

Dave Hubinger (yes), Spencer Burrows (yes), Roy Meenes (yes), Kiley Fitzgerald (yes), Peter Merz (yes)

Love Shack - CDP 2025-0005

5 yes, 0 no

Dave Hubinger (yes), Spencer Burrows (yes), Kiley Fitzgerald (yes), Peter Merz (yes), Roy Meenes (yes)

Minutes of September 16, 2026

4 yes, 0 no

Reschedule Item 4 to First Departmental Report

4 yes, 0 no

Carlsbad Village Railroad Trench Project MOU

5 yes, 0 no

Keith Blackburn (yes), Melanie Burkholder (yes), Kevin Shin (yes), Priya Bhat-Patel (yes), Teresa Acosta (yes)

Consent Calendar (Items 1-6)

4 yes, 1 no

Kevin Shin (yes), Melanie Burkholder (yes), Keith Blackburn (yes), Teresa Acosta (no), Priya Bhat-Patel (yes)

Ordinance No. CS-520: All-Way Stop Controls

5 yes, 0 no

Priya Bhat-Patel (yes), Teresa Acosta (yes), Kevin Shin (yes), Keith Blackburn (yes), Melanie Burkholder (yes)

REPORT ON CITY INVESTMENTS AS OF AUG. 31, 2026

5 yes, 0 no

RESOLUTION OF INTENTION TO RENEW THE CARLSBAD TOURISM BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT

5 yes, 0 no

APPROVAL OF THE 2027 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING CALENDAR

5 yes, 0 no

AWARD OF CONTRACT TO BYROM-DAVEY, INC. FOR PHASE II OF THE SYNTHETIC TURF FIELDS REPLACEMENT PROGRAM

4 yes, 1 no

CONTINUING THE DECLARATION OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY TO ADDRESS BLUFF EROSION NORTH OF ENCINAS CREEK BRIDGE

5 yes, 0 no

Fairfield Apartments at Bressi Ranch

Southwest corner of Palomar Airport Road and Gateway Road

A 320-unit multifamily residential development featuring buildings up to six stories and an attached parking structure on a vacant 5.32-acre parcel.

approved (4-0) · still approved

Love Shack

4080 Skyline Rd.

Demolition of an existing single-family home and construction of a new 9,094-square-foot two-story residence with a four-car garage.

approved (5-0) · still approved

Capital Improvement Projects and Park Upgrades

Residents and environmental groups raised alarms over the council's approval of a turf replacement contract for Alga Norte and Aviara parks, pointing to environmental and health concerns like microplastics and high surface temperatures.

What it means: A construction contract of $5,683,957 plus additional fund appropriations from the Infrastructure Maintenance and Replacement Fund.

Federal Funding for Carlsbad Village Railroad Double Track Trenching

The city is partnering with regional transit agencies to study lowering the railway through downtown Carlsbad. By investing over $5 million in local match funds alongside state and federal grants, the city hopes to eliminate dangerous street crossings, reduce train noise, and improve emergency response times.

What it means: The city's commitment is capped at $5.22 million from general fund reserves, leveraged against $20.8 million in state funding and a $1 million federal grant, though total construction costs are projected to exceed $500 million.

Commercial Drone Delivery Concerns

Local environmental advocates raised concerns regarding proposed commercial drone delivery operations near Carlsbad boundaries, citing noise pollution and wildlife disruptions.

What it means: Local residents experiencing persistent aircraft noise and nearby wildlife populations facing habitat disruption.

Fairfield Apartments at Bressi Ranch Development

A developer is bringing 320 new apartments, including 43 affordable units, to a long-vacant commercial site at Bressi Ranch. The project adds much-needed housing to the city's inventory while utilizing state density bonuses and objective design standards.

What it means: Future residents and individuals seeking affordable housing options in Carlsbad.

State and Federal Legislative Advocacy & Bill Tracking

City officials discussed Carlsbad's active lobbying strategy in Sacramento, highlighting successes in sponsoring state bills and protecting local authority over housing and e-bikes.

What it means: Carlsbad residents through increased state funding and defended local autonomy.

Housing Trust Fund Annual Report & Fund Balance

The city's Housing Trust Fund sits at around $14 million, supporting affordable housing programs, resales, and rehabilitation projects. Staff explained how state density bonus laws are shifting developers toward building on-site affordable units rather than paying in-lieu fees, which slows fund growth.

What it means: Involves a $14 million fund balance, $510,000 in bridge funding for Tyler Court apartments, and an $850,000 commitment for Chestnut Apartments rehab.

State Homelessness Funding Access (AB 1708)

Executive Director Tiffany Zapico from Operation Hope North County spoke during public comment about their shelter services in Vista, noting that over 15% of their clients come from Carlsbad and asking for future operational support.

What it means: Operation Hope operates on a $1.4 million annual budget and is seeking additional local government and philanthropic support.