Residents want time to gather more information on negative effects of building 218 apartments
A hearing for a proposal to replace the Smart & Final shopping center in Carlsbad’s downtown Village with 218 apartments, ground-floor shops and a parking garage was delayed for a second time Tuesday by the city’s Planning Commission.
The first delay was approved two weeks ago at the request of the developer, who asked to wait for the return of an absent commissioner over the objections of residents. Tuesday’s continuance was granted at the residents’ request, postponing the hearing to July 17, so they can further study the project and the ways it will affect traffic and other issues.
It also gives the Carlsbad City Council time to fill a vacant seat on the seven-member commission, to the dismay of the developer.
“We wish to proceed this evening,” said Jonathan Frankel of the Atlantis Group, who represents the property owner.
“Issues of traffic, infrastructure and fire (raised by the project’s opponents) all have been comprehensively studied,” Frankel said.
Opponents of the project disagree, and have engaged their own consultant to review the issues further.
“We have started working with a highly qualified expert, who is reviewing this project and intends to present additional evidence that merits the judicious consideration of the Planning Commission,” resident Martin Danner said.
He did not identify the consultant, but said it was a former Carlsbad city engineer with decades of experience.
“However, he could not be here today, and he needs at least two weeks to prepare,” Danner said. “The public should be afforded the same courtesy and procedure that was afforded the developer at the last meeting.”
The commission voted 5-1 to support the request, with Commissioner Roy Meenes opposed. The commission’s decision is advisory to the City Council, which will consider the project later this year.
Commission Chair William Kamenjarin said some of the commissioners had received phone calls and emails accusing them of bias after they granted the developer’s request. He assured everyone there was no bias, and that he would support another delay.
Commissioner Alicia Lafferty said that “given the magnitude of this project” the new request should be honored.
“The developer specifically burned through the last Planning Commission meeting, when we were all ready to hear the project,” Lafferty said.
The 4.12-acre site is on Carlsbad Village Drive just west of Interstate 5. It is on a Breeze bus route and about half a mile from the Carlsbad Village Coaster Station, which makes it a transit-oriented development.