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News from the City of Carlsbad | March 12, 2026

First off, thanks to everyone who shared input about installing an all-way stop at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Madison Street in the Village. The City Council gave that project the green light at its meeting on Tuesday.

I’ve got more road improvements to tell you about in this week’s update, including a behind-the-scenes video of new stop signs going up in the Barrio.

Before I get to the lineup, pop quiz: What is Ranunculus? Unfortunately, none of the contestants on a recent episode of Jeopardy could name the Ranunculus as the icon of the Carlsbad Flower Fields, missing out on an extra $2,000. I imagine viewers across Carlsbad yelling the correct answer at their TVs in unison at that very moment. Either way, I was glad to see our city and the recently reopened Flower Fields make a cameo on the iconic game show.



Now, here’s today’s full lineup:

• New all-way stop signs installed in the Barrio
• City Council advances projects to address parking needs downtown
• Share your input on sidewalks in Terramar
• Reminder for riding bikes and e-bikes when it’s dark out
• New council subcommittee to guide veterans recognition at Veterans Memorial Park
• Trail volunteer event this Saturday
• Registration open for summer camps and classes, plus community activities
• Extra enforcement on St. Patrick’s Day
• Apply to serve on our Historic Preservation Commission
• Upcoming city meetings
• Remembering Ann Kulchin

New all-way stop signs installed in the Barrio

During the last couple of weeks, crews were busy installing new all-way stop signs at four intersections in the Barrio.

You can follow along with our crews in this video, which shows the all-way stop being installed at the intersection of Chestnut Avenue and Madison Street.

These new stops signs are designed to slow speeds and make it safer for everyone walking, biking and driving through the neighborhood.

This work is part of additional improvements happening in the Barrio through spring 2027, including traffic safety improvements, water and sewer pipeline replacements and new pedestrian lighting. You may have already noticed the new pedestrian lights going up around the neighborhood, helping support walkability and safety.

We know construction can be inconvenient, so we appreciate your patience while we work on these improvements! I encourage you to sign up for email updates on these projects so you can get the latest information right to your email inbox.

City Council advances projects to address parking needs downtown

Along with street and safety improvements, addressing parking needs in the Village and Barrio remains a top priority for the City of Carlsbad. We added 44 parking spaces in the area last year and we’re continuing to evaluate new opportunities to increase that number.

Earlier this week the City Council advanced several related projects, aimed at both near-term and longer-term strategies to increase parking availability downtown:

New stop signs at Grand Avenue and Madison Street

On Tuesday, the City Council took the first step to approve a new all-way stop at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Madison Street, following community concerns about the intersection and traffic studies that showed an all-way stop could be effective.

As an added bonus, an all-way stop at this intersection could allow the city to add three new parking spaces by removing red curbs that would no longer be needed.

What’s next: The City Council will consider final approval at its next meeting on Tuesday, March 24, and crews could install the all-way stop in April.

New diagonal parking on Grand Avenue

In the same part of Grand Avenue, the City Council advanced a project to convert parallel parking to diagonal parking on westbound Grand Avenue, between the Tyler Street alley and Jefferson Street. This project will:

• Reduce the number of westbound lanes on Grand Avenue from two to one
• Create a center turn lane with turn pockets at intersections
• Add 11 new parking spaces

When the city is considering a project that would reduce the number of traffic lanes, the City Council reviews the initial concept early in the process and directs staff to either move forward, as they did with this project, or change course.

What’s next: Staff will begin final design and return to the City Council for approval to award the construction contract by the end of the year. 

Comprehensive parking study for the Village, Barrio and beach area 

Another way the city is working to improve parking in the Village, Barrio and nearby beach areas is through a comprehensive study the City Council approved Tuesday. 

A contractor will collect parking data throughout the year as part of the study. The information will supplement parking data collected each summer and help inform recommendations for how the city could improve parking availability and efficiency in the area. The project will also include gathering information from area visitors, as well as residents and business owners.

What’s next: Work on the study is scheduled to begin this spring with completion expected in spring or summer of 2027. Staff will present the final report to the City Council once the study is concluded. 

You can sign up to receive regular updates on projects to improve parking in the Village and Barrio and visit this webpage for more information. 

Share your input on sidewalks in Terramar

The City of Carlsbad is also developing options for street improvements in the Terramar area and we are seeking input to help guide decisions about how the project should move forward.

Improvements being considered include:

• New sidewalks on one or both sides of the street
• Resurfacing and restriping Carlsbad Boulevard and Cannon Road in this area

If you live in the area or visit frequently, I encourage you to take a few moments to provide input through a brief online form by Wednesday, March 25. We will review all comments received and provide this feedback to the City Council to consider when deciding how to move forward on the project.

Parking impacts

It’s important to note that if new sidewalks are installed, some of the parking currently available off the shoulder of Carlsbad Boulevard would need to be removed. On the west side of the street, new parking spots could be added near the southern end of the new sidewalk to help offset parking loss further north. 

There are three ways to provide input:

• Share feedback online by Wednesday, March 25
• Email traffic@carlsbadca.gov by Monday, April 6, at 1 p.m.
• Attend the Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission meeting in April

Traffic Safety & Mobility Commission

Monday, April 6, 4 p.m.

City Council Chamber

1200 Carlsbad Village Drive

You can visit the project webpage to learn more or sign up for email updates on this project.

Reminders for riding bikes and e-bikes when it’s dark out

Earlier this year, the state adopted new laws for riding bikes or e-bikes when it’s dark outside. As we continue to adjust to the time change, I thought I’d share more information about those new state laws along with tips that can go even further to help you stay safe when you ride. 

The new state laws are a little different depending on whether you’re riding a pedal bike or e-bike. Here’s a quick summary: 

In addition to what’s legally required, wearing bright or reflective clothing, or even attaching small lights to your outfit can help make you more visible to drivers.



This video helps summarize the laws and tips for riding safely at night.

New Carlsbad e-bike laws starting soon 

On the topic of e-bikes, I also want to remind you that new e-bike laws will be effective in Carlsbad starting March 26, 2026, after the City Council formally adopted the laws last month. The new laws include:

• Anyone operating an e-bike must be at least 12 years old, as allowed by Assembly Bill 2234.
• The Carlsbad Police Department may impound an e-bike when a minor breaks the rules and creates an immediate or substantial public safety risk. The minor must complete an in-person safety course to retrieve the e-bike.
• Riders must go at a safe speed for the conditions, factoring in weather, whether pedestrians are present and how quickly other traffic is moving. 
• Riders under 18 years old must wear a properly fitted and fastened helmet. 
• Only e-bikes designed for passengers can carry more than one rider. 
• Parents are responsible for knowingly allowing their children to commit violations.
• E-bikes are prohibited at Poinsettia and Pine Avenue community parks.

After the new laws take effect on March 26, a 60-day warning period will begin. During the warning period, officers will focus primarily on education and increasing awareness of the new laws. The warning period will end on May 25, which happens to be Memorial Day. 

New council subcommittee to guide veterans recognition at Veterans Memorial Park

At Tuesday’s meeting, the City Council approved forming an ad hoc Veterans Memorial Park Veterans Recognition Subcommittee to gather additional community input on ways to honor individual veterans at the future park.

The two-member council subcommittee will hold community meetings to gather input from veterans, nonprofit veteran organizations and residents on ideas for recognizing veterans, such as commemorative pavers or similar elements that could be incorporated into the park.

The Veterans Memorial Park memorial plaza is currently designed to honor all six branches of the U.S. military with etched panels describing each branch’s history, bronze inlays featuring each branch’s motto set into the plaza and a central platform with a large American flag. The subcommittee’s work will focus on additional ways the park could recognize veterans through a potential donation-based program or other memorial elements in the park.

The subcommittee is expected to hold at least three community meetings between June and December of this year to hear ideas and develop recommendations for the full City Council. These meetings will give the community an opportunity to learn more about the project and share input.

The action comes shortly after the City Council approved the construction contract for Veterans Memorial Park. Construction is expected to begin later this spring and take about two years to complete.



I’ll share more information about upcoming meetings and next steps as they are scheduled.

Trail volunteer event Saturday at La Costa Glen Trail

Our next trail volunteer event is this Saturday, March 14, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at La Costa Glen Trail. Being a trail volunteer is a great way to connect with others who love the outdoors and give back to our community.

Trail volunteer event – La Costa Glen Trail

Saturday, March 14

8:30 to 11:30 a.m.

1923 Calle Barcelona, near The Forum Carlsbad

Limited parking is available in the section of the Jimbo's parking lot closest to the trail.

Know before you go

• All tools, gloves and instructions are provided.
• No prior experience is required, and volunteers of all skill levels are welcome.
• The work includes restoring trail surfaces and improving accessibility
• Please wear proper protective clothing, such as closed-toe shoes and gloves. 

Learn more about upcoming trail events.

Registration open for summer camps and classes, plus community activities

Just a reminder that registration opened Wednesday for our summer camps and classes. You can find more details and the full lineup of programs in the Summer Community Services Guide.



Here are a few more fun activities happening soon at our city libraries, community centers and the Carlsbad Senior Center:

• Cinema Club Friday: "Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel" – Friday, March 13, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., Dove Library
• Front Row Saturday concert: Cracow Duo – Saturday, March 14, 5 to 6 p.m., Schulman Auditorium, Dove Library
• Shamrock Social (ages 10-14) – Saturday, March 14, 6 to 9 p.m., Pine Avenue Community Center
• Morning Music with a Slice of History – Tuesday, March 17, 10:30 a.m. to noon, Carlsbad Senior Center
• Reel Wednesday: "One Battle After Another" – Wednesday, March 18, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., Dove Library
• Pirate Plunge – Saturday, March 21, 5 to 8 p.m., Alga Norte Aquatic Center

Extra enforcement on St. Patrick’s Day

I want to wish a safe and happy St. Patrick’s Day to all who celebrate.

If you’re going out, please plan ahead and if need be designate a driver or use a rideshare service. This weekend and on St. Patrick's Day this coming Tuesday, Carlsbad Police will have extra officers on patrol looking for signs of impaired driving.

We’re also asking our community to follow the “see something, say something” rule. If you see someone you suspect is driving under the influence, report it by calling 911. 

Thank you to everyone for working together to keep our community safe. 

Apply to serve on the Historic Preservation Commission

If you have some experience and interest in historic preservation and want to help make a difference in our community, we have two scheduled vacancies on the City of Carlsbad’s Historic Preservation Commission.

• The commission advises the City Council, Planning Commission and Housing Commission on how to identify, protect and preserve historic sites within the city.
• Applicants must have a background in architecture, archaeology, geology, history or a related field and must be Carlsbad residents who are registered to vote in the city.
• Commission members are nominated by the Mayor and approved/confirmed by a majority City Council vote.

You can apply online or pick up an application in the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall, 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive.

Applications are due by noon Monday, April 6.

Upcoming city meetings



There’s no City Council meeting next week, but the city’s Planning Commission is scheduled to meet. Board and commission meetings are livestreamed on the city’s website and available to watch afterward. See the full meeting schedule on our city calendar.



Remembering Ann Kulchin

In closing, I want to take a moment to remember longtime Carlsbad champion Ann Kulchin, who passed away Monday at the age of 93.

Kulchin served on the City Council for 32 and a half years (1980 to 2012) and was a driving force behind much of what makes Carlsbad special, including the Sea Wall and the city’s Growth Management Plan.

Kulchin was also instrumental in the creation of the Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane, which opened in 1999. In 2022, the City Council renamed Dove Library’s courtyard in her honor.

Ann’s life of service won’t be forgotten and her impact on our community lives on.

Geoff Patnoe

City Manager