Feb. 10, 2022
This week we are seeing strong signs of a transition back to a more normal way of living and working, as COVID-19 cases continue to decrease. More on that plus:
 
  • Latest report shows strength of Carlsbad economy
  • Meeting state housing requirements
  • Final chance to weigh in on City Council district maps
  • City streets getting fresh surface
  • New county rules allow “microenterprise home kitchens”
  • Celebrating the Super Bowl safely (and 5 great hikes to enjoy before the big game)
  • Upcoming public meetings
COVID-19 update
Even though the changes we are seeing this week were anticipated, I am sensing a collective sigh of relief nonetheless. Among the good news:

  • Cases continue their steep decline, just as they had a steep increase (an “ice pick” rather than a “wave”).
  • The rate of new hospitalizations is lower this week than last week.
  • The latest statewide indoor mask mandate will expire next Tuesday (meaning it is in effect through Tuesday). Masks will still be required in some settings and for those who are not fully vaccinated. Here are the state’s rules as of Feb. 16, 2022.
  • Congregate care facilities (adult day care, assisted living, etc.) no longer need visitors to present a negative test to enter, as long as they are vaccinated (this change went into effect Feb. 8).
  • City meetings, including City Council meetings and meetings of our boards and commissions, will switch to an in-person format starting March 1. We are making modifications to the City Council chamber to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread and plan to have outdoor seating available.
 
What’s next?
According to an Associated Press story that is running today in local news outlets, the state is expected to announce an update to school mask requirements on Monday, and sometime next week will present a new overall strategy for managing COVID-19.
 
Epidemic, pandemic and endemic are among the many terms that have become part of our everyday vocabulary due to COVID-19. Here’s what they mean:
Latest data
Even though we’re seeing things head in the right direction, daily cases are still in the thousands countywide, and Carlsbad’s active cases are also over 1,000. So please continue to take precautions.
Carlsbad’s economy growing
Carlsbad’s economy grew by $1 billion in 2021 to $14.6 billion, second only to the City of San Diego, according to a report presented to the City Council Feb. 8. Since the COVID-19 emergency began, city staff has given the City Council quarterly updates on Carlsbad’s economy and city finances. The latest report shows revenues up significantly over last year, and the economy accelerating across all sectors.

Why this matters
A strong local economy helps Carlsbad businesses, provides more local jobs and generates tax revenue that supports a high level of city services.

What to know
According to our Economic Development Manager Matt Sanford, the diversity of industry in Carlsbad and the city’s focus on innovation have helped local businesses weather COVID-19 related economic impacts.

  • Jobs. Unemployment in Carlsbad was 3.4% in December, closing in on the city’s pre-pandemic unemployment rate of 2.9%. There were 15,418 unique job postings in Carlsbad between October and December, an increase of more than 2,000 postings from the previous quarter.
  • Tourism. The hospitality/tourism industry was one of the sectors in Carlsbad hardest hit by COVID, but December occupancy rates (56.9%) were only one percentage point below December 2019 levels and up sharply from 2020.
  • Home prices. The median home price in Carlsbad is now $1.3 million, up about 5% over the previous quarter. In the past year, Carlsbad median home values have risen 32%.
  • Commercial real estate. Vacancies for industrial properties are down to 3.9% compared to 10.8% before COVID, and office vacancies are at 14.4% compared to 15.25% pre-pandemic. Across all segments, however, average market rents per square foot have begun to climb, surpassing pre-pandemic levels for the first time.
 
Want to participate in our upcoming business focus groups?
Speaking of the economy, the city is creating a new Economic Development Strategic Plan and is looking for people willing to participate in focus groups next week. If you are in any of the categories below and would like to share your thoughts on how the city could best facilitate business expansion, attract new talent to Carlsbad and generally help create a supportive environment for local businesses, please sign up through the links below:


If you have any questions, please email business@carlsbadca.gov.
Meeting state housing requirements
In fall 2021, we gathered community feedback on 18 potential locations where new housing could be built. New housing is needed to satisfy the state requirement that all cities accommodate their fair share of the region’s housing needs, including homes for people of all income levels and stages of life. The input has been summarized in a new report that will be presented to the City Council when it meets Tuesday at 3 p.m. 

Why this matters
The decision about where to build housing affects residents’ quality of life, the economy and the environment.
 
What to know

  • At Tuesday’s meeting, the City Council will choose which potential housing locations should move forward into the environmental review phase.
  • Before the City Council votes, you can weigh in on the potential locations by emailing comments to clerk@carlsbadca.gov. 
  • You can also provide input by watching and participating in the City Council meeting, which will be held virtually and streamed live on the city’s website and cable channel.
  • Detailed instructions on how to comment during the meeting will be in the agenda packet on the city’s website no later than Friday.
  • In all, the city needs to show how about 3,900 housing units could be built over the next eight years to meet state requirements. Although Carlsbad can accommodate some of the housing on property already designated for homes, additional sites are needed, which requires rezoning certain properties.
 
Final chance to weigh in on City Council districts
A months-long process to create new City Council district boundaries is expected to wrap up next week when the Independent Redistricting Commission holds its final public hearing and selects a new district map.

Why this matters
City Council districts determine which neighborhoods vote together for the purpose of electing a City Council member. State and federal laws call for communities of like interests to be in the same district so they have more power to elect representatives to their government.

What to know
You still have time to review the maps submitted so far and share your thoughts with the commission via email and during its public hearing on Feb. 17 at 6 p.m. 

  • Local governments must redistrict at least once every 10 years, based on federal census data, to reflect changes in population and to ensure that all districts have about the same number of residents.
  • The city’s Independent Redistricting Commission has reviewed more than 65 proposed maps for the new boundaries and narrowed them down to just a few preferred options.
  • You can see the maps, including the three maps preferred by the commission and new maps created by the city’s demographer based on the commission’s feedback, on this interactive online map viewer.

Streets getting a spruce up
The City of Carlsbad will resurface parts of some major roadways and neighborhood streets during the next few months as part of the city’s annual program to keep the streets free of cracks and potholes. 

Why this matters
Regular maintenance of city infrastructure prolongs its life and helps avoid costly emergency repairs. Smooth and well-maintained streets also improve safety and make traveling around town a better experience.

What to know
The upcoming work includes 213 street segments throughout the city. By the time they’re finished, crews will have applied enough material to cover about 22 miles of average roadways. Areas this year include (see the map)

  • El Camino Real from Palomar Airport Road to College Boulevard
  • Cannon Road from El Camino Real to Faraday Avenue
  • College Boulevard from Sunny Creek Road to Palomar Airport Road
  • Alicante Road from Gateway Road to Paseo Candelero

The city evaluates streets every year using pavement management software and residents’ feedback to identify which streets need a fresh surface. Streets are selected based on their age and pavement condition. The city’s contractor will contact residents and businesses before work begins to let them know what to expect.
New county law allows “microenterprise home kitchen” businesses
The County Board of Supervisors has adopted a new law to allow people to operate small restaurants out of their homes for the next two years.

Why this matters
This law opens up many more business opportunities for county residents while providing standard practices for how food is handled, stored and served.

These mini restaurants – officially called Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations – can be operated by someone in a private home where food is stored, handled and prepared for customers.

  • The food has to be made the same day it’s being served.
  • The home-based restaurant can offer onsite dining, pickup or delivery.
  • The county will start accepting health permit applications for home-based restaurants on Feb. 25 and will work with home cooks to make sure their procedures and menus comply with state health and food safety laws.
  • In Carlsbad, operators of home-based restaurants must also obtain a business license from the city.
  • The county is hosting a training workshop on Feb. 15, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., via Zoom for people interested in starting one of these businesses.

Learn more on the county’s website.
Super Bowl Sunday health and safety
If you’re planning to watch the big game this weekend – or if you want to avoid the festivities altogether – city staff have put together some health and wellness ideas for you:
 
Safe celebrations
Although COVID-19 infections are on the decline, certain health practices are still recommended:

  • Open windows and doors if you’re going to gather with others. Good airflow reduces the spread of COVID-19
  • Spread out, just in case someone might be contagious and not know it
  • Wash your hands before eating. If you’re hosting, serve items that don’t require use of a common serving spoon
  • Stay home if you’re having COVID-19 symptoms or otherwise think you could be contagious
  • Utilize rapid tests for guests
  • Wear a well-fitting mask if you’re gathering with people outside your household
 
Here is the full list of CDC recommendations for gatherings. And, for good measure, take a look at the CDC’s food handling guidance if you’re planning to serve snacks.
5 city trails we recommend for a Sunday hike
I know access to natural open spaces is one of the things our community treasures most, and the city’s 67 miles of trails showcase beautiful and varied habitats as well as spectacular views.

Here are five great picks, ranked by degree of difficulty:

  • Oak Riparian Trail at Lake Calavera (easy) – Amazing hike along the wetland habitat through a few sections of elevated boardwalk with marshy vegetation and willows that provide some shade.
  • North Shore Hubbs Trail at Agua Hedionda Lagoon (moderate) – This trail has beautiful views of the ocean and the lagoon and is the perfect place to view shorebirds.
  • Rancho La Costa Switchback Trail (difficult) – A challenging hike and panoramic views from the top of Dank Mountain.
  • East Ridgeline Trail (difficult) – Spectacular views of the ocean and the San Marcos Mountains
  • Robertson's Ranch Trail (difficult) – This trail crosses the Agua Hedionda Creek with lots of good bird watching in the riparian area.
 
Visit our GoHike Carlsbad portal for more details, including where to park. Weather will be quite warm on Sunday, so please head out early and bring plenty of water.
Get involved: Upcoming meetings
The next City Council meeting will be held Feb. 15 at 3 p.m. There are three topics up for discussion (the third one is the housing plan update I mentioned earlier):

  • An update on city investments
  • Revising the City Council policy on how the city selects its citizens of the year
  • Where to accommodate 3,800 new state-mandated affordable housing units in Carlsbad in the next eight years

The meeting, which will be virtual, starts at 3 p.m. The full agenda and staff reports, along with instructions on how you can watch and participate, will be posted on the city’s website no later than Friday.

These city meetings are also coming up soon:

  • Feb. 10, 6 p.m. – Housing Commission
  • Feb. 16, 3 p.m. – Planning Commission
  • Feb. 17, 6 p.m. – Independent Redistricting Commission

That’s all for this week. If I haven’t told you lately, let me say once again, thank you for everything you have done to help Carlsbad have among the lowest COVID-19 case rates in the region. I know it’s been a long hard two years. Please continue to care for our community so we keep this positive momentum going! 
City of Carlsbad | Website