Planning Commission approves coastal permit for new home and ADU at 3451 Garfield Street

The Carlsbad Planning Commission unanimously approved a coastal development permit and a CEQA exemption for a new single‑family residence at 3451 Garfield Street during its April 15 meeting.

Senior Planner Jason Gough presented the proposal, describing the project as a demolition of existing on‑site structures and construction of a 4,045‑square‑foot, two‑story home with a 547‑square‑foot attached two‑car garage and a 667‑square‑foot accessory dwelling unit over the garage. "The project before you tonight is located at 3451 Garfield Street on the Northwest Corner of Garfield And Maple," Gough said, and noted the ADU will be subject to a separate administrative coastal permit.

The staff report says the lot is 5,365 square feet, sits in the city's coastal zone and the proposed footprint complies with setbacks, lot coverage and parking standards. The project proposes moving vehicle access from Maple Avenue to Garfield Street, replacing the Maple driveway with new curb, gutter, sidewalk and parkway. Staff recommended the commission adopt a categorical CEQA exemption and approve the coastal development permit; the report and draft notice of exemption were posted and circulated to interested parties, staff said.

Commissioner Lafferty pressed staff about driveway location and neighborhood safety, citing local bicycle safety concerns: "our community has spent a lot of time on, legislating ebikes, and 1 of the big concerns is corner designs because people can't see people going around the corner," she said. Engineering Manager Jason Geldert responded that the proposed driveway is about 20.87 feet wide and "does comply with accessibility," adding that traffic engineering reviewed the site and found no safety conflicts.

The applicant was not present and no members of the public signed up to speak. Commissioner Mertz made the motion to approve the staff recommendation; Commissioner Burrows seconded. The commission voted unanimously to approve the CEQA exemption determination and the coastal development permit.

The ADU shown in commission exhibits will proceed under a separate administrative coastal permit reviewed by the city planner; staff noted required building permits and standard coastal zone conditions would follow the commission's action.