Carlsbad subcommittee unanimously opposes AB 17 51, citing concerns about ministerial approval of townhomes

Councilmember Burkholder moved that the subcommittee oppose AB 17 51, the 'missing middle townhome' ministerial-approval bill; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously on July 6.

"This would reduce our role to ministerial approval of the missing middle townhome," Councilmember Burkholder said during the discussion, arguing that although the bill’s intent to increase workforce housing may be laudable, the approach is not appropriate for Carlsbad. City staff and the contract lobbyist from California Public Policy Group explained that AB 17 51 had reached the Senate Appropriations Committee and that the city had not taken a position previously; after recent amendments and discussion, the subcommittee agreed to oppose the bill.

The subcommittee’s action instructs staff and the city’s legislative advocates to register opposition and to continue monitoring the bill as it moves through the Legislature. No formal tally of named roll-call votes was recorded in the transcript; the chair announced the vote was unanimous.

The meeting record and public materials referenced several other housing bills discussed during the session, including AB 956, AB 748, AB 2676, SB 677 and SB 1116, which public commenters and staff identified as items of interest or concern for the city. The subcommittee’s formal opposition applies specifically to AB 17 51 as voted on July 6.

Next steps: staff will work with the city’s contract lobbyists to communicate the subcommittee’s position to legislators and committees handling the bill.