The current version of the Village and Barrio Master Plan was approved in 2019, following several years of community input. Since that time, the city has continued to receive feedback, which has prompted the prioritization of the following topics.

The master plan priorities range from accelerating the timing of projects already identified in the plan's implementation program (see Chapter 5) to adding new policies that will help retain the areas' unique community character. They include the following:

Historic district designation

• The city has a process to allow for the establishment of a historic district (CMC Section 22.06.030). This process requires three criteria to be met:
  1. Designation consented to by all property owners within the proposed historic district.
  2. A geographically definable area with a concentration of contributing resources linked historically, culturally or architecturally.
  3. At least 50% of the contributing resources within the proposed historic district are already designated as a historic resource. Currently, there are only three structures that are listed on a national/state historic registry.
• In April 2023, the city initiated a Mills Act Program to encourage the voluntary rehabilitation and preservation of qualified historic resources. These qualified historic resources will be added to the city's local registry for historic resources as needed for the Village and Barrio Master Plan area to be eligible to become a historic district. Learn more. 

 Grand Promenade

• Continue to keep the Grand Avenue Promenade project a priority in the Village and Barrio Master plan.
• The project includes the creation of a signature space for walking and gathering along Grand Avenue.
• The next step is for the Transportation Department to study the feasibility of the project, including traffic, cost and economic impacts, without conducting a temporary street closure.

Farmers and cultural arts markets

• Expand the locations where street markets for local food, arts and culture can operate, specifically within the Barrio Center and Barrio Perimeter Subdistricts.

Projects underway

Several projects requested by the community and the City Council are already underway or completed. These include:

Improved parking

• Reevaluate the city's Parking In-Lieu Fee Program to best serve the needs of the community.
• Update the 2017 Parking Management Plan and amend the Village and Barrio Master Plan to reflect current state requirements and implement improved parking strategies and recommendations. Learn more.

Encourage “vital uses” like small grocery stores, post offices, hardware stores, pharmacies and farmers markets.

• Update policies to encourage the kinds of small businesses that serve daily needs of residents. These uses are allowed in some areas already, but new policies would encourage these uses to continue and make it easier to add more.

Improving traffic flow

• The city is evaluating options for improvements to Tyler Street to accommodate all forms of travel.

Outdoor dining and shopping

• The City Council made a motion to create a plan for temporary outdoor dining areas located within the public right-of-way to be permanent.
• The city gathered input from businesses and residents on whether to allow businesses to continue to utilize outdoor spaces after the COVID-19 special rules expire.
• Staff is working with local businesses to provide direction and guidance if they want to make their temporary outdoor activations permanent. Learn more.
• Staff is also working with a consultant to update the Right-of-Way Program fees to allow for the outdoor activations to become permanent.

Better ways to get around

• The city completed a plan that will make it easier and safer to walk and bike throughout the city, including in the Village and Barrio.
• Projects included in the plan are being implemented, such as traffic circles, better lighting, new bike lanes and sidewalks that are easier for people using wheelchairs.

Completed projects

Objective design standards and a design review committee (completed)

• On Aug. 29, 2023, the City Council approved objective design standards for future multifamily housing and mixed use projects in the Village and Barrio areas. The new standards are incorporated in the Village and Barrio Master Plan as Appendix E. The new standards will help ensure that new apartment, condo and duplex projects built in Carlsbad meet objective criteria for building and site design features.
• The new standards will allow the city to have a say in a project's design to help ensure it fits in with the overall community character of the Village and Barrio.
• Because the Village and Barrio areas have unique characteristics, the City Council appointed a Citizens Design Review Committee to help translate existing design standards and guidelines for multifamily and mixed use developments into objective standards.
• The standards are currently in effect in the inland areas. The objective design standards are pending certification from the California Coastal Commission before they will be in effect in the Coastal Zone.

Decision making authority

The objective of the change in approval authority was to ensure development permits are subject to the same level of review and approval throughout all areas of the Village and Barrio Master Plan. Previously, City Council approval was only needed for development projects in the Village and the Planning Commission approved projects in the Barrio.

With the amendment, all future projects in both the Village and the Barrio will now require approval by the City Council. Projects will still go to the Planning Commission for review first and the commission will have the opportunity to provide recommendations for the City Council's consideration.

The decision making authority amendment became effective for the entire master plan area in August 2021.

Staff will continue implementing the recommended actions approved by the City Council on Nov. 16, 2021. Amendments to the master plan will need to be reviewed by the Planning Commission and approved by the City Council. Amendments that affect parts of the Village and Barrio located within the Coastal Zone must also be certified by the California Coastal Commission.

The city is currently conducting a review of the Parking Management Plan completed in 2017.

The Village and Barrio Master Plan, which was amended in September 2023, remains in effect in the inland areas. The Village and Barrio Master Plan, amended in February 2021, remains in effect in the Coastal Zone.

What is a master plan and how was it reviewed and approved?

A master plan is a focused planning document that provides direction and standards for land use and development that are specific to a particular area. It does this through graphics, text and tables. Because it is a document that regulates land use and development, it must be consistent with the city’s General Plan and was reviewed and approved by the Planning Commission and City Council. For the Coastal Zone portions of the Village and Barrio, the master plan was also approved by the California Coastal Commission.

What is the difference between the General Plan and the Village and Barrio Master Plan?

The General Plan is a citywide planning document and serves as a blueprint for all land use and growth in Carlsbad. All land use documents, including the proposed Village and Barrio Master Plan, must be consistent with the General Plan. The General Plan recognizes the unique qualities of the Village and Barrio and encourages revitalization of these neighborhoods.

Unlike the broad, citywide coverage of the General Plan, the Master Plan centers on the specific needs of two distinct Carlsbad neighborhoods only – the Barrio and the Village. The Master Plan implements the General Plan and guides land uses and development in a way that is tailored to each neighborhood.

What are the boundaries of the Village?

Generally, the boundaries of the Village are considered to be north of Oak Avenue, south of Laguna Drive, east of Ocean Street and west of Interstate 5. (View a map of the Village and Barrio neighborhoods.)

What are the boundaries of the Barrio?

Generally, the boundaries of the Barrio are considered to be north of Tamarack Avenue, south of Oak Avenue, east of the railroad and west of Interstate 5. (View a map of the Village and Barrio neighborhoods.)

What is "smart growth" and a "smart growth opportunity area"?

Together, the Barrio and Village neighborhoods are a “smart growth opportunity area” as designated by SANDAG, the San Diego Association of Governments. They are so designated because of their proximity to transit (e.g., the Coaster/Amtrak station), compact land use and grid street pattern, and flat topography that are excellent for bicycling and walking. Both neighborhoods represent an opportunity to accommodate smart growth, new residents and businesses located in close proximity to one another in a compact, walkable environment.

Smart Growth refers to a series of planning principles and strategies that support compact urban development that is environmentally sensitive, economically viable, community-oriented, and sustainable.

Although every community must define what Smart Growth means to them at the local and regional levels, there are generally 10 core principles which have been adopted by SANDAG.

View the sign standards for businesses in the Village and Barrio flyer.