1.

Facility Performance Standards. Performance standards are established for each of eleven public facilities and services, eight of which are provided directly by the city of Carlsbad and three of which are provided (at least in part) by other agencies. These include: (city provided) city administrative facilities, libraries, parks, drainage, circulation (roads), fire response times, open space, and the sewer collection system, and (provided by other agencies) schools, water service/emergency water storage, and wastewater treatment.

2.

Establish how large the city will get. The future maximum size of the city is established by limiting the total number of residential building permits that can be issued for the city as a whole and for four sub-areas (called "quadrants"). This limit was established by a ballot measure in 1986 and cannot be changed except by another vote of the electorate. Existing and future development cannot exceed 54,600 dwelling units. The City Council has established both policies and an accounting system to assure that the limits are observed. (See links to "Monitoring System" and "Excess Dwelling Unit Bank".) The City's General Plan establishes the level of future commercial and industrial development.

3.

Plan facilities to match future demand. By having standards for public facilities and knowing how much future development will occur, it is possible a) to estimate how much demand there will be for facilities and services and b) then plan for and build these facilities. The city uses a three-phase approach. The "Citywide Facilities and Improvement Plan" sets the overall tone for capital project planning, including calling for sub-area facility plans and establishing principles for capital financing plans. In addition, "Local Facility Management Plans" (LFMPs) are established for 25 sub-areas of the city. Last, individual developments are reviewed for compliance with the Citywide Plan and the appropriate LFMP. Special conditions, phasing, and other requirements may pertain.

4.

Tie development to performance. If at any time a proposed development would result in a failure of any of the adopted facility performance standards, the development cannot be approved until the problem is resolved.

5.

Monitor development. Active monitoring programs assure that performance standards are being met and the limit on residential building permits is being observed.

For more information
about the City of Carlsbad's Growth Management Program, call or write:

Planning Department
Contact Us | Growth Management