Planning commission approves paired Normandy Lane coastal permits amid debate over sidewalks and variances
May 01, 2024 | Carlsbad, San Diego County, California
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The Carlsbad Planning Commission on May 1 approved coastal development permits and minor variances for two mirror-image single-family projects on Normandy Lane, voting 5–1 on each item after extended questioning about sidewalks, neighborhood precedent and potential rental use.
Staff recommended approval for both Lot 38 and Lot 39, telling the commission the roughly 2,200–2,900 square-foot proposed homes would be consistent with the local coastal program and that the lots are legally substandard—about 2,500 square feet, roughly half the R3 minimum. Associate planner Kyle Van Lewin said the variance requests would reduce the front setback to 10 feet (standard 20) and the rear yard setback to 5 feet to accommodate two-car garages and livable floor plans on narrow parcels.
The commission asked whether Normandy Lane is designated an “alternative design street,” which can alter frontage and sidewalk requirements. Following a five-minute recess for staff to check engineering records, city planner Eric Lardy confirmed the street is an alternative-design street and noted condition 18 in the staff report will require the developers to enter a neighborhood improvement agreement to contribute if a future city project installs sidewalks or other street improvements.
Commissioner Lafferty objected to approving variances that, in his view, are common in the neighborhood and reduce pedestrian access, particularly close to a nearby school. He also raised concerns about the potential for ground-floor layouts to function as short-term rentals. Applicant Kevin Dunn said his team held voluntary outreach in January with 12 attendees (eight from Normandy Lane) and reported no opposition; he said the proposed ground-floor bedroom lacks kitchen plumbing and was not intended as an accessory dwelling unit.
Other commissioners supported staff’s findings. Commissioner Mears said the narrow street makes sidewalks impractical and praised the design; Commissioner Means and others said the projects respond to the physical constraints of pre‑Subdivision Map Act lots. With motions to adopt staff recommendations made and seconded on each item, both projects were approved 5–1 with Commissioner Lafferty dissenting and Commissioner Stein absent.
The actions included neighborhood-improvement agreement requirements and standard coastal-review conditions; staff noted the projects remain subject to building-permit review for landscaping, parking layout and any conditionally required utility work. The commission moved on to other agenda items after closing the public hearings on both lots.
Staff recommended approval for both Lot 38 and Lot 39, telling the commission the roughly 2,200–2,900 square-foot proposed homes would be consistent with the local coastal program and that the lots are legally substandard—about 2,500 square feet, roughly half the R3 minimum. Associate planner Kyle Van Lewin said the variance requests would reduce the front setback to 10 feet (standard 20) and the rear yard setback to 5 feet to accommodate two-car garages and livable floor plans on narrow parcels.
The commission asked whether Normandy Lane is designated an “alternative design street,” which can alter frontage and sidewalk requirements. Following a five-minute recess for staff to check engineering records, city planner Eric Lardy confirmed the street is an alternative-design street and noted condition 18 in the staff report will require the developers to enter a neighborhood improvement agreement to contribute if a future city project installs sidewalks or other street improvements.
Commissioner Lafferty objected to approving variances that, in his view, are common in the neighborhood and reduce pedestrian access, particularly close to a nearby school. He also raised concerns about the potential for ground-floor layouts to function as short-term rentals. Applicant Kevin Dunn said his team held voluntary outreach in January with 12 attendees (eight from Normandy Lane) and reported no opposition; he said the proposed ground-floor bedroom lacks kitchen plumbing and was not intended as an accessory dwelling unit.
Other commissioners supported staff’s findings. Commissioner Mears said the narrow street makes sidewalks impractical and praised the design; Commissioner Means and others said the projects respond to the physical constraints of pre‑Subdivision Map Act lots. With motions to adopt staff recommendations made and seconded on each item, both projects were approved 5–1 with Commissioner Lafferty dissenting and Commissioner Stein absent.
The actions included neighborhood-improvement agreement requirements and standard coastal-review conditions; staff noted the projects remain subject to building-permit review for landscaping, parking layout and any conditionally required utility work. The commission moved on to other agenda items after closing the public hearings on both lots.
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