Council Chamber
1200 Carlsbad Village Drive
Carlsbad, CA 92008
CALL TO ORDER: 5 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Blackburn, Bhat-Patel, Acosta, Burkholder, Shin.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF CONCURRENT MEETINGS: None.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Pro Tem Bhat-Patel led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: None.
PRESENTATIONS:
Proclamation in Recognition of the Retirement of Laura Rocha
Mayor Blackburn presented the proclamation to Laura Rocha who said a few words.
PUBLIC REPORT OF ANY ACTION TAKEN IN CLOSED SESSION: City Attorney Cindie McMahon announced that there was no reportable action.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
The following individual attended the City Council Meeting and shared their comments for the record:
Equitable Land Use Alliance Representative Kris Wright expressed her concern regarding parking in the Village.
The following individual called into the City Council Meeting and shared their comments for the record:
Steve Linke requested that the City Council direct staff to explore a new objective standard for development projects that include less than the city’s minimum required number of parking spaces.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Bhat-Patel, seconded by Council Member Acosta, to approve Consent Calendar Items Nos. 1 through 5. Motion carried unanimously, 5/0.
1. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH CARLSBAD UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR THE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER PROGRAM – Adoption of Resolution No. 2026-159 approving a memorandum of understanding between the City of Carlsbad and Carlsbad Unified School District for the School Resource Officer Program for the 2026-27 school year. (Staff contact:
Darbie Ernst and Shaun Lawton, Police)
July 28, 2026, 5 p.m.
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July 28, 2026 Carlsbad City Council Regular Meeting Page 2
2. SEMIANNUAL TRANSPORTATION REPORT – Received the Semiannual Transportation Report. (Staff contact: Tom Frank, Public Works)
3. AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO THE AGREEMENT WITH DUDEK FOR ADDITIONAL ENGINEERING
DESIGN AND ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITTING SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE MERWIN DRIVE STORM DRAIN IMPROVEMENTS, CIP PROJECT NO. 6608 – Adoption of Resolution No. 2026- 160 approving Amendment No. 4 to the professional services agreement with Dudek for additional engineering design and environmental permitting services for the Merwin Drive Storm Drain Improvement Project, increasing the not-to-exceed amount to $575,467 and extending the term by two years. (Staff contact: Jason Evans, Public Works)
4. AMENDMENT NO. 5 TO THE AGREEMENT WITH CARRIER JOHNSON FOR DESIGN OF THE FLEET MAINTENANCE BUILDING REFURBISHMENT PROJECT, CIP PROJECT NO. 4714 – Adoption of Resolution No. 2026-161 authorizing an amendment to the professional services agreement with Carrier Johnson for design of the Fleet Maintenance Building Refurbishment Project. (Staff contact: Steven Stewart, Public Works)
5. TERMINATING THE DECLARATION OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY CONDITION IN THE NORTH AGUA HEDIONDA INTERCEPTOR SEWER IN THE HEDIONDA POINT NEIGHBORHOOD – Adoption of Resolution No. 2026-162 terminating the declaration of a local emergency condition in the North Agua Hedionda Interceptor Sewer in the Hedionda Point neighborhood and determining there is no need to continue the emergency procurement action. (Staff contact:
Amanda Flesse, Public Works)
BOARD AND COMMISSION MEMBER APPOINTMENTS: None.
ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION: None.
ORDINANCES FOR ADOPTION:
6. ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. CS-519 TO ESTABLISH ALL-WAY STOP CONTROL AT THE
INTERSECTIONS OF ALICANTE ROAD AND GALENA AVENUE, CALLE HIDALGO AND CAMINO DE AMIGOS, AND PASEO CERRO AND PASEO DESCANSO – Adoption of Ordinance No. CS-519 amending Section 10.28.360 and adding Sections 10.28.361, 10.28.362, 10.28.363, 10.28.364 and 10.28.365 of the Carlsbad Municipal Code to establish all-way stop control at the intersections of Alicante Road and Galena Avenue, Calle Hidalgo and Camino De Amigos, and Paseo Cerro and Paseo Descanso. (Staff contact: Morgen Fry, City Clerk) City Manager’s Recommendation: Adopt Ordinance No. CS-519.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Bhat-Patel, seconded by Council Member Acosta, to adopt Ordinance No. CS-519. Motion carried unanimously, 5/0.
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July 28, 2026 Carlsbad City Council Regular Meeting Page 3
PUBLIC HEARING:
7. MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT AT 840 CARLSBAD VILLAGE DRIVE (CT 2024-0007/SDP 2024- 0021/CDP 2024-0035, DEV2024-0004) – 1) Hold a public hearing; and 2) Adoption of Resolution No. 2026-163 approving a California Environmental Quality Act determination for a Class 32 In-Fill Exemption, a tentative tract map CT 2024-0007; site development plan SDP 2024-0021; and coastal development permit CDP 2024-0035 to demolish a vacant bank building and construct a five-story mixed-use building consisting of 3,801 square feet of commercial space, 50 residential condominium units and 50 covered parking spaces on a 0.72-acre property located at 840 Carlsbad Village Drive in the northwest quadrant of the city, the Village & Barrio Master Plan and Local Facilities Management Zone
1. (Case Name: RINCON CVD; Case No.: CT 2024-0007/SDP 2024-0021/CDP 2024-0035 (DEV2024-0004)). (Staff contact: Edward Valenzuela, Community Services)
City Manager’s Recommendation: Take public input, close the public hearing and adopt the resolution.
Assistant Director of Community Development Eric Lardy and Senior Planner Edward Valenzuela reviewed a PowerPoint Presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk).
Mayor Pro Tem Bhat-Patel disclosed that she spoke with the applicant Jonathan Frankel on July 27, 2026, to discuss the waivers and community outreach that was conducted.
Council Member Acosta disclosed that she spoke with the applicant Jonathan Frankel who was representing the project at the Art in the Village event on June 28, 2026.
Council Member Burkholder disclosed that she spoke with the applicant Jonathan Frankel on Sept. 12, 2025.
Council Member Shin disclosed that he had a conversation with the applicant Jonathan Frankel on Nov. 7, 2025.
Mayor Blackburn disclosed he had conversations with Mr. Frankel, but not regarding this project.
Vice President of Forward Planning with Rincon Jonathan Frankel spoke about the project.
Mayor Blackburn called for a recess at 6:00 p.m.
Mayor Blackburn reconvened the duly noticed meeting at 6:10 p.m.
Mayor Blackburn called for a recess at 6:17 p.m.
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July 28, 2026 Carlsbad City Council Regular Meeting Page 4
Mayor Blackburn reconvened the duly noticed meeting at 6:22 p.m.
Mayor Blackburn opened the duly noticed public hearing at 6:23 p.m.
The following individuals attended the City Council Meeting and shared their comments for the record:
Kris Wright reviewed a PowerPoint Presentation (on file in the Office of the City Clerk) and expressed opposition to the project.
Lori Robbins asked the City Council to encourage the developer to reevaluate their color palette to respect the surrounding area.
Jim Scanlon expressed his concern with the potential gridlock the mechanical lifts could create once they are installed.
The following individual called into the City Council Meeting and shared their comments for the record:
Steve Linke expressed his concern regarding parking and the safety criteria of this project.
Mayor Blackburn closed the duly noticed public hearing at 6:34 p.m.
City Manager Geoff Patnoe confirmed he would direct staff to send a letter to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to review the Equitable Land Use Alliance’s parking proposal, and to report back HCD’s response to the City Council.
Council Member Burkholder expressed her opposition to the project stating that the 23 mechanical lift parking spaces will be based on a tenant request at an additional cost, and the lack of parking in Carlsbad is a common complaint that is more concentrated in the Village.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Bhat-Patel, seconded by Council Member Acosta, to adopt Resolution No. 2026-163 with the addition of the parking condition as proposed by staff and agreed to by the project applicant as follows:
Resolution No. 2026-163
Exhibit 1
4. That the following Condition 72, which was offered, confirmed and agreed to by the project applicant at the City Council Meeting on July 28, 2026, is also adopted:
Prior to occupancy of the first residential unit, the project will offer to install and, if accepted, install mechanical lifts to provide 23 additional spaces to Docusign Envelope ID: 3F9FF66E-D76C-8092-83CE-8C0F8C79F5A7
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serve the residential units, assigned proportionately to the market rate and affordable units. Evidence of compliance will be provided to the City Planner.
Motion carried, 4/1 (Burkholder – No).
DEPARTMENTAL AND CITY MANAGER REPORTS: None.
COUNCIL REPORTS AND COMMENTS: Mayor Blackburn and the City Council Members reported on activities and meetings of some committees and subcommittees of which they are members.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
This section of the Agenda is designated for announcements to advise the community regarding events that Members of the City Council have been invited to, and may participate in.
Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026, at 3 p.m.
Corvette Guiness World Record Event
The Shoppes at Carlsbad
2525 El Camino Real
Carlsbad, CA 92008
Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026, at 9 a.m.
ROADEO Event for Republic Services
The Shoppes at Carlsbad
2525 El Camino Real
Carlsbad, CA 92008
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS: City Manager Geoff Patnoe congratulated Deputy City Manager Laura Rocha on her retirement, and thanked Community Relations Manager Tom Mallory for his service to the City of Carlsbad.
CITY ATTORNEY COMMENTS: None.
CITY CLERK COMMENTS: None.
ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Blackburn adjourned the duly noticed meeting at 6:55 p.m.
______________________________
Liana Somepalli, CPMC
Deputy City Clerk
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