Carlsbad Seeks Public Input About Parking In Community Meeting This Week

CARLSBAD, CA — The city of Carlsbad is holding a community meeting Wednesday to get public input about parking in the Village, Barrio and nearby beach area.

The meeting will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 24 at the Carlsbad Senior Center, 799 Pine Ave.

The city began a parking study last spring, analyzing how parking is currently being utilized in these areas and projecting future needs. According to city officials, input gathering from the community meeting, as well as interviews with community members in the project area, an online survey and technical data, will be used to develop the parking management plan.

The San Diego Association of Governments is assisting with the data collection and analysis.

The resulting plan will be a road map for how the city can maximize the efficiency of existing parking. The study won’t just look at parking spaces, city officials say; the city will explore increasing alternatives to cars, such as making the project area more inviting for walkers, bikers and people who use public transportation.

“We appreciate the hundreds of community members who have already shared their thoughts about parking around the Village, Barrio and beach area,” said Pam Drew, city planner and project manager for the parking study. “We really want community members to weigh in so we’re providing another opportunity for those who would like to provide input in person.”

For those unable to attend the community meeting, an online survey is available at Carlsbadca.gov/input.

Once a draft of the parking management plan is complete early next year, it will be released for public review and input, with plans to have the parking study and management plan complete in the spring of 2017.

Findings from the parking study will be incorporated into the Village and Barrio Master Plan, which is currently under way, according to city officials.

Patch file photo/Maggie Avants