The project proposes the redevelopment of an existing single-family residence and a secondary structure with 19 new three-story residential condominium units through 6 detached condominium buildings, not to exceed 35 feet in height. The proposed residential condominiums feature a mix of three floor plans, ranging in size from approximately 1,757 square feet to 2,420 square feet. Each of the 19 units will include an attached two-car garage. Individual building sizes range from 5,040 to 7,224 square feet. The applicant proposes 43 total parking spaces, 38 garage spaces + 5 visitor stalls.

The property, located at 2499 Jefferson Street in Carlsbad, CA 92008, is adjacent to the Buena Vista Lagoon and is a short walk to the coastal amenities of Carlsbad Village. The project is aligned with the City's housing goals and is zoned RD-M (Residential Density-Multiple), which allows for higher-density residential development. The development will provide 18 market-rate units and one deed restricted affordable unit for a very-low-income household. The applicant will purchase 1 housing credit to meet the 15% requirement per CMC 21:85.

The project is currently in the second cycle of review comments, issued on March 26, 2026, and is progressing through the City’s discretionary entitlement process. The applicant’s next key milestone is to submit responses to City comments by May 25, 2026, which will be critical to maintaining review momentum and avoiding additional resubmittal cycles. Based on typical processing timelines and assuming standard review durations, a Planning Commission hearing is anticipated around February 2027. The project requires a public hearing and will ultimately be considered by the City Planning Commission as the decision-making body.

The 0.99-acre site (43,299 square feet) is currently developed with a single-family residence and a detached secondary structure. The property is located within the City’s Local Coastal Program, specifically the Mello II Segment, and is immediately adjacent to the Buena Vista Lagoon along the western property line. Its location also offers strong proximity to Carlsbad Village and nearby coastal amenities, supporting a walkable infill context with convenient access to neighborhood-serving uses, recreation, and transit-oriented village amenities. The surrounding land use pattern is predominantly residential, with multi-family residential development located to the north and south, single-family and multi-family residential uses to the east, and the Buena Vista Lagoon ecological preserve to the west.

The project requests waivers for the following standards to accommodate affordable housing:

1. Front-Yard Setback, Code: CMC 21.16 (R-3 Multiple-Family Residential Zone). Requirement: 20 feet minimum, Proposal: 9 feet, Deviation: 11-foot reduction. 2. Upper Floor Area Reduction, Code: Development Standard 3.A.2.a. Requirement: Upper floors max 90% of ground floor area, Proposal: 3rd floors exceed by 211–263 sq ft; 2 second-floor units exceed by 31–42 sq ft, Deviation: Floor area increase. 3. Side Yard Width, Code: CMC 21.16.050. Requirement: 10% of lot width (minimum 5 feet, maximum 10 feet), Proposal: 5-foot minimum side yard, Deviation: Complies with minimum. 4. Visitor Parking Stall Depth, Code: CMC 21.45.060, Table C, Reference C.7. Requirement: 20 feet minimum depth, Proposal: 15 feet depth, Deviation: 5-foot reduction. 5. Community Recreation Space, Code: CMC 21.45.060, Table C, E.7. Requirement: 200 square feet per unit (3,800 sq ft total for 19 units), Proposal: All units with 60 square feet private recreational space per unit (decks/balconies), Deviation: Type change to private space. 6. Parallel Visitor Parking Stall Length, Code: CMC 21.45.060, Table C, 7.b. Requirement: 24 feet minimum length, Proposal: 19 feet length, Deviation: 5-foot reduction. 7. Private Recreational Space (Minimum Dimension), Code: CMC 21.45.060, Table C, E.7. Requirement: 6-foot minimum dimension, Proposal: 5.3-foot minimum dimension (two units), Deviation: 0.7-foot reduction. 8. Tandem Garage Configuration, Code: CMC 21.45.080, Table E, E.6. Requirement: Tandem garages permitted only in R-23 General Plan designation; project in R-3 zone, Proposal: Two tandem garages (23 feet wide × 35.5 feet long interior), Deviation: Zone exception. 9. Guest Parking Visual Screen Height, Code: Citywide Objective Design Standards (ODS) 2.B.4. Requirement: Minimum 6 feet (solid wall, fence, or landscaping), Proposal: Landscape screening (hedges) at 2–3 feet maximum height, Deviation: 3–4 feet reduction. 10. Pedestrian Paseo (Dedicated Walkway), Code: ODS 2.C.1.b. Requirement: Dedicated pedestrian walkway connecting units to public right-of-way, Proposal: Internal drive aisle serves as functional pedestrian connection; no separate dedicated walkway, Deviation: Substitution. 11. Pedestrian/Vehicular Circulation Separation, Code: ODS 2.C.1.d. Requirement: Separation of pedestrian and vehicular circulation systems, Proposal: Shared internal drive aisle for pedestrian and vehicular circulation, Deviation: Waiver.

Any comments can be submitted through the "Provide Feedback" tab on this webpage, or can be sent to the project's city planner: Lauren Yzaguirre, Senior Planner, at 442-339-2634 | lauren.yzaguirre@carlsbad.gov.

Public Hearing Information: A public hearing will be held before the Planning Commission to consider approval of this project. The date and time will be posted as the hearing is scheduled. The meeting will be held in accordance with the City's adopted Rules of Procedure and will allow for public comment. Future Hearing Location: City of Carlsbad, City Hall/Council Chambers Address: 1200 Carlsbad Village Dr, Carlsbad, CA 92008.

For more information, please contact Jonathan Frankel at jfrankel@rincongrp.com or call 925-708-3638.  

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