FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

CARLSBAD VILLAGE REVITALIZATION

Isn’t it more important to spend resources on marketing the downtown rather than rebuilding it?

While the merchants plan and implement marketing promotions, landowners will be planning and implementing improvement projects. These two critical activities can work hand-in-hand.

Won't parking in the Village be a problem if some parking requirements are eliminated?

Not all parking requirements are changing. The parking requirements will be applied on a poject by project basis. This means that the public may weigh in with concerns during the approval process.

How can we make sure the Village atmosphere is preserved?

The City is intent on retaining the village atmosphere that makes downtown Carlsbad unique. Design standards, while changing, will reflect this desire. Land owners and developers will have to consider this in the design of their projects.

Why can’t we close State Street to traffic at least one night a week and host a weekly street fair to get people accustomed t

This is exactly the kind of idea that can be examined moving forward. There are very many potential methods of increasing traffic and they will be brought forward both in public review and also through the efforts of the businesses involved. The impact on the existing Farmers Market would have to be evaluated at the same time.

What can we do to get seniors comfortable? Shuttle buses through the area? More benches?

Seniors are a very important and growing market for many retail establishments. Consideration of those items that make a truly “walkable” community, such as benches and short distances from parking, will be evaluated. Any improvements made with seniors in mind will obviously positively affect all other visitors as well.

Who may we speak to about special events, such as children's art contests, entertainment and stores we'd like to see

Marketing ideas like this represent very good input to the Carlsbad Village Business Mainstreet Association, a group of downtown merchants who work together to promote retail growth downtown. The City’s recent study on downtown market offers a wealth of information on how merchants might proceed to build their businesses through cooperative efforts.

Isn’t this plan aimed at making developers happy rather than residents?

The City process will focus on both stakeholders as the best way to create a unique, walkable lifestyle neighborhood.

How did the City develop the Village plan?

The City has conducted extensive surveys of business and property owners in the downtown area since work began on the project in 2005. In January 2007, the City had the first public comment sessions and there will be others. You may also watch this Web site for updates.

Carlsbad Village Revitalization top buttons

Cityscape:

Keeping the Neighborhood Beautiful

Economic Vitality:

A Village Marketing Plan

Identity:

Updating the Design Manual

A SAFE VILLAGE ENVIRONMENT

Although Carlsbad is one of the safest cities in San Diego County, the City Council still strives to make sure that crime enforcement in the Village remains a top priority.

 

The City Council added four officers and one additional fire inspector to patrol the Village on Friday and Saturday nights. Carlsbad also contracted with a private transport company to escort arrested individuals to the Vista jail during the weekend. This allows police officers to more effectively utilize their street time patrolling the Village. With the additional personnel, regular sweeps will combat alcohol-related problems and monitor overcrowding at bar-related establishments.

 

Our City recently approved an entertainment ordinance as well. The ordinance bans the possession and consumption of alcohol in the Village’s public areas and mandates new City license restrictions for businesses that chose to serve alcohol and offer live music and/or other entertainment.

 

Furthermore, the city’s land use ordinance will be examined to ensure that Village businesses are operating with proper permits. By enforcing the land use ordinance, the city will reduce noise and other impacts associated with overcrowding restaurants operating as non-permitted clubs late into the evening.