The updated housing plan must show the exact locations where future housing can be built and identify the potential number of homes that can be built at those locations. When it comes to these important decisions, the City of Carlsbad is not starting from scratch. Some of the basic guidelines around where housing can be located include:

Off the table

The city wouldn’t consider sites:

• With sensitive habitat or species
• Where the topography isn’t conducive to building
• That aren’t safe because they’re in a flood zone or high-fire area 
• Within areas deemed off limits by the airport because they’re in the flight path or noise would be too loud

Locations considered

Areas that could be designated for additional housing include:

• Vacant lots not designated as open space
• Underutilized sites, such as lots with uses that are no longer needed or are in need of rehabilitation
• Locations where housing could be become more dense than it is today
• Locations near public transit and essential services like libraries and neighborhood serving retail centers
• Areas where housing could be added to commercial buildings or in business parks, creating “live-work” neighborhoods
• Sites where infrastructure, such as water and sewer service, can support more housing