FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
PONTO
- What is the purpose of the Ponto Vision Plan?
- What is the vision for the Ponto area?
- Does the Ponto Vision Plan approve any specific developments?
- What public/community amenities are included within the Ponto Vision Plan?
- Was an environmental review completed for the Ponto Vision Plan?
- What studies were completed for the Ponto Plan?
- Does the Ponto Vision Plan support the approved Local Coastal Program for the area?
- Does the Ponto Vision Plan support the State Parks Master Plan?
- What is the timing for implementation of the Ponto Vision Plan?
- Why can’t the area just remain "as is?"
What is the purpose of the Ponto Vision Plan?
The Ponto Beachfront Village Plan was developed with input from property owners, Carlsbad residents and other interested parties over a two year period. It is used to guide development and project design within the area. This plan is important, to avoid a piecemeal approach to development, and ensure a balanced and cohesive land use strategy that could be implemented. It also ensures biking, hiking and walking trails, parking and the beach access is not overlooked.
What is the vision for the Ponto area?
Because Ponto is a special place enjoyed by many, the vision is to implement active pedestrian and bicycle traffic, while supporting the California coastal architectural character to border the beachfront. The area envisioned, includes an array of restaurants, retail shops and plaza-based gathering areas, including a nature and art center, that appeal to both residents and visitors.
Does the Ponto Vision Plan approve any specific developments?
The plan establishes development and design guidelines for the Ponto area and will approve specific development projects. Separate permits, reviews and public hearings will be required for all future development projects.
What public/community amenities are included within the Ponto Vision Plan?
The plan will include the following:
- A community trail that will protect views of the lagoon and ocean. There will be a wide multi-use, public trail connecting the regional trail around the lagoon.
- A pedestrian underpass to the State Beach entrance
- A community facility in the form of a Nature and Arts Center.
- Trails and pathways for pedestrians and bicyclists
- A park that will include benches and picnic tables
- Additional parking spaces on the west side of Carlsbad Boulevard
Was an environmental review completed for the Ponto Vision Plan?
With the assistance of an independent consultant, the environmental assessment analyzed all of the potential impacts that were foreseeable at the time of the review. The conclusion was that future development in conformance with the Ponto Vision Plan may have the potential to impact the environment unless mitigation measures are applied to the development in the areas of transportation/traffic, noise, biology, cultural resources and agriculture. Mitigation measures were incorporated into the environmental report and all future development will require a separate environmental review to determine their specific impacts.
What studies were completed for the Ponto Plan?
Comprehensive traffic analysis
Wetland Delineation
Biological Resources Survey
Cultural Resources Survey
Development potential
Does the Ponto Vision Plan support the approved Local Coastal Program for the area?
The Ponto Vision Plan supports the Local Coastal Program in the following areas:
- Visitor-serving uses
- Mixed-Use Development fronting on Carlsbad Boulevard
- Hotels and timeshares
- Bike/pedestrian path on the bluff edge overlooking Batiquitos Lagoon
Does the Ponto Vision Plan support the State Parks Master Plan?
The Ponto Vision Plan will increase beach access and provide other complimentary land uses to the area. California State Parks believes new opportunities for commercial development in the Ponto Area will arise and will work together to buffer urbanization of the beachfront. The State’s Plan’s purpose says, "San Diego beaches are made available to the people, for their benefit and enjoyment forever, the scenic and recreational resources inherent to the coastal beaches and adjacent uplands of San Diego County." The Ponto Vision Plan supports this purpose and is consistent with it.
What is the timing for implementation of the Ponto Vision Plan?
The property within the Plan is all privately owned. Therefore, it is difficult to determine the timing for implementation. It is anticipated that some development may begin within the next two to five years.
Why can’t the area just remain "as is?"
Ninety-eight percent of the parcels in the Ponto area are privately owned; therefore, it is not the City’s decision whether or not the land can be devleoped. In efforts to gain cohesion in development and greate a sense of place, the Ponto VisionPlan was created to help guide any future development and avoid piecemeal construction.
Ponto top buttons
PONTO VISION PLAN
What is the Ponto Vision Plan?
Ponto is the area located in South Carlsbad, north of the Batiquitos Lagoon and east of the South Carlsbad State Beach and campground. The City, along with property owners, and area residents, put together a plan to ensure that any future development would be consistent with Carlsbad’s high standards and would be well coordinated for maximum benefit to residents and visitors.
The beach itself cannot be developed, nor can the lagoon. However, about 98 percent of the land across the highway from the beach is privately owned and could be developed —depending on the underlying zoning of the specific property — into homes, hotels, and other businesses — with or without an overall vision plan. A vision plan does not change the zoning of any of the land nor impact how quickly development may or may not occur. Every development would still need to go through the approval process. Individual property owners will still have the ultimate decision about the right time to develop their property.
How was the Ponto Vision Plan Developed?
About three years ago, the City began to discuss ways to ensure that the inevitable development that would occur in this area would be conducted in aesthetically pleasing, and sensitive manner. Another important issue for the City was the development of public or community amenities, such as biking, hiking and walking trails, parking and preservation of beach access.
The Ponto Vision Plan was developed with input from property owners, Carlsbad residents and other interested parties over about a 24-month period. It provides a vision for guiding development and project design. Developing a vision for the area helps avoid a piecemeal approach to development, and provides a balanced and cohesive land use strategy that could be implemented.
On Nov. 13, 2007 the City Council unanimously approved the Ponto Vision Plan.