Planning Commission Recommends Changes to Quarry Creek Project Before Approval

The Carlsbad Planning Commission Wednesday night recommended the City Council approve the Quarry Creek residential project, but with several changes to the Quarry Creek Master Plan.

The proposed 656-home development project would be developed by The Corky McMillin Companies on the 156-acre former rock quarry site located on the border of Carlsbad and Oceanside, south of state Route 78 and west of College Boulevard. In a 6-1 vote with Commissioner Victoria Scully voting against, the commission recommended the plan eliminate development on two of the proposed 17 lots – a residential lot and a park both proposed to be located in an undeveloped portion of the land known as the panhandle. Scully said she believed there shouldn’t be development on any portion of the panhandle.

The commission’s decision came after continuing the hearing during the Feb. 20 meeting where roughly 50 community members shared their opinions on the plan. Many of the speakers campaigned for an alternative plan that would not include development of the panhandle. Opponents raised concerns about the development’s affect on the site’s historical significance, open space, density, traffic and emergency services.

“We do need to listen to our community, and listen to what the people are saying,” Scully said.

Commissioner Stephen “Hap” L’Heureux said compromise is a big part of this project and that the plan should eliminate development on the two lots, but not the entirety of the panhandle.  

“I’m afraid that a lot of people conceptually would like to have no development on the panhandle. I just don’t think that that is feasible,” L’Heureux said. “I think that if that option is adopted, the project won’t be built and the benefits that will accrue to the city and to everybody … will be lost.”

Commissioner Jeff Segall advised against redesigning the project from the dais.

“I think that’s dangerous,” Segall said. “When we start doing that, everyone starts coming up with different concepts and the applicant has 10 minutes to try to redesign something.”

The commission also voted to eliminate tandem parking from the plan and include a pedestrian trail connection to Simsbury Court that was originally proposed by the applicant but since removed from the plan. In addition, the plan proposed residential buildings that feature five architectural styles. The commission preferred the buildings be Early California style and recommended the developer work with city staff to come to a final agreement.

Todd Galarneau, a senior vice president at The Corky McMillin Companies, said the company has consistently compromised on the project, providing 56 percent of the site as open space and 44 percent developed.

“We’ve been extremely flexible. We’ve followed all your rules,” Galarneau said. “I think we’re being penalized a little bit for coming with a plan that was too good.”

Galarneau added that the company could eliminate development on the lots the commission recommended, but would need to construct the 56 units that were planned for those spaces elsewhere in order to retain the proposed 656 units and make the project viable.

Commissioner Michael Schumacher noted it is difficult for the commission to evaluate the economic impact of the project when The Corky McMillin Companies hasn’t provided financial data. Therefore, the commission approved 600 units and recommended the City Council increase or decrease the number of units after receiving and reviewing financial data from the developer.

The commission’s recommendations will be forwarded to the City Council, which will make the final decision on the project.