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T he C oast News
APRIL 19, 2019
Carlsbad digs in against state housing bill By Steve Puterski
CARLSBAD — The City Council has formally sided against one of the most controversial bills in front of the California state legislature. Senate Bill 50, authored by State Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) has pitted cities against the state in a battle to retain local control over planning, zoning and housing. During its April 16 meeting, the Carlsbad council voted unanimously to oppose the bill during a presentation from California Strategies & Advocacy, LLC, the city’s lobbying firm, on its legislative platform. “It doesn’t show much popularity here,” Mayor Matt Hall said. The bill calls for allowing for unlimited density near “high-quality” transit and “job-rich” areas; requires low-income housing in new development; a 55-foot height limit with unlimited
density and no minimum parking requirement within one-half mile of a major transit stop; and up to three density bonus incentives. According to Kathrina Gregana, a legislative advocate for California Strategies, the bill would apply to the Carlsbad Village and Poinsettia stations, but not along any bus routes as those are not classified as high quality. Another issue with the bill is the definition of “job-rich” and “high-opportunity” areas. Much of the council targeted the vague definition, although it does not provide any clear specifics and how it would be applied. Councilwoman Cori Schumacher said another issue with the bill centers on the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and taking away a community’s ability to “weigh in” on development.
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It doesn’t show much popularity here.” Mayor Matt Hall on California State Senate Bill 50
Gregana said the SB 50 could allow developers to bypass CEQA and some of the local processes and force the cities to expedite or have no say at all. Councilwoman Priya Bhat Patel said the high limits were a major concern. “The height limits and how astronomical that could be for our community,” she said. “Being a coastal city, I think that is something that is important for us.” However, there is another set of bills the council will follow with a close eye regarding housing, land use, transportation and redevelopment. Those bills, SB 4, 5, and 6, which are authored
by Assemblyman Jim Beall (D-Campbell) and Sen. Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg). The council did not support or oppose any of the three bills, instead opting to monitor the bills for any future amendments. SB 4 calls for a streamlined approval process for housing projects within onehalf mile of a transit station with a coastal zone exclusion; 15-foot height bonus over the maximum allowed by a city within the half-mile radius; eliminates parking requirements; streamlining fourplexes; and requires prevailing wages and project labor agreement (PLA) for projects with more than 50
PEARSON
state grants and scholarships on academics,” Pearson said of his time at California State University of Los Angeles. “Because I was already doing work in my community, I did not want to leave.” Part of his service was engaging gang members through the Boys Club (prior to the merger with the Girls Club). Some of those responsibilities were to help those gang members leave the life through public service projects such as public murals and sporting events. Pearson also worked with the Reading Olympics and other community-related issues during his time in L.A. But when he and his wife, Karen, moved to Carlsbad in 2008, Pearson decided to get more involved with city issues. He volunteers with several nonprofits —
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Pearson recalled of his first entry into public service. Raised by a single mother in a blue-collar neighborhood, Pearson said his childhood was a reason for his commitment to public service. He started in high school and has been doing so ever since. “I went to college on I’ll Sell Your Home for
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units. SB 4, according to California Strategies’ report, would apply to the two transit stations in the city, although the firm noted there are compliance concerns with the Growth Management Plan. SB 5, the Affordable Housing and Community Development Investment Program, would provide for up to $2 billion for affordable housing, transit-oriented projects, infill development, neighborhood revitalization and restoration and protecting communities from sea-level rise. In addition, the bill would establish processes for applications, distribution of funds and accountability measures. SB 6 would require the Department of General Services to create a public and searchable database of local land available for development. Hi-Noon Rotary, the Carlsbad Charitable Foundation, North Coastal Prevention Coalition, the Carlsbad Fire Department Foundation and the Mitchell Thorp Foundation. “I will represent the needs, wants and dreams of the people who live in the North County area,” he said. “That’s my priority. It’s not a national special interest agenda.” He said his experience on Carlsbad Unified’s board of trustees is also another reason for his decision to run. Pearson, who is in his second term on the board, said one priority is to find positive pathways for students to succeed, attend college and afford homes in North County. In addition, he is also prioritizing seniors and finding ways to make those living on fixed incomes more comfortable with the state’s challenging and rising costs of living. But, perhaps his biggest concern is the rising influence of actions and proposals coming from Sacramento. Pearson said cities are losing local control and few state legislators are pushing back. He met with mayors Matt Hall (Carlsbad), Peter Weiss (Oceanside) and Julie Ritter (Vista) to discuss their concerns. Managing land and housing elements are pressing concerns, Pear-
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County flu cases continue decline despite more deaths REGION — Five more flu-related deaths were documented last week in San Diego County, though the number of influenza cases decreased countywide for the third consecutive week, health officials announced April 17. The five residents who died due to flu-related causes ranged in age from 47 to 77 years old. All five had additional medical issues, as well, according to the county’s Health and Human Services Agency. The deaths bring the county’s flu season death toll to 64; flu deaths at this time last season totaled 339. “While the numbers continue to decline, the flu season is not over yet,” said Dr. Wilma Wooten, the county’s public health officer. — City News Service son said. “When I saw our state becoming more centralized from Sacramento, our communities here are losing the ability to manage their future,” he said of his decision to run. “Another was how negatively people were commenting on our state legislators and constitutional officers. They’re not meeting their needs, wants and dreams.” Other issues he is concerned with is limited government, more accountability and consideration for different income levels. Specifically, he said pushing back against more and higher taxes is a concern, especially for seniors on fixed incomes and the younger generation, which is finding it more difficult to meet those demands. “They only have so much money,” Pearson said. “We get a lot of money from people already. That separates me and the incumbent.” He said experience is also a difference between he and Horvath, citing his experience on the school board working with the budget, noting 60% of the state’s budget is for education and its impacts on the economy, students and stakeholders. Pearson is a marketing executive for Jewelry Television and his prior work includes positions with Interlink Electronics, Disney, The Weather Channel and in government relations with Westinghouse Broadcasting and Cable. His public service also includes serving on the Carlsbad Senior Commission and Mayor’s Education Advisory Committee and Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce Education Committee. Pearson and his wife have three children and three grandchildren. He graduated from California State University of Los Angeles. Note: Pearson and this reporter both serve on the Board of Directors of the Carlsbad Charitable Foundation.