Aviara Petition to Reject PonteBello Rezoning & Inclusion in Housing Element

We, the undersigned, are concerned citizens who appeal to and petition the City of Carlsbad, CA, represented by the elected members of the City Council and the City Planning Department, to act now and reject the re-zoning to high density, and reconsider the council’s Dec. 22, 2009, adoption of the 2005-10 Housing Element with Mitigated Declaration for these reasons:

1. This rezoning of a low-density single family housing area to high density meets the definition of spot zoning, which is not in keeping with the Aviara planned community, or Carlsbad’s General Plan housing guidelines. We object to the introduction of non-conforming buildings within and adjacent to the established, city-approved Master Plan for this residentially zoned area.

2. The development’s proximity to the schools would imperil our children’s safety, bringing increased traffic, congestion and noise.

3. The grading required to create pads for these two- and three- story buildings would pollute the air, posing a threat to the health and safety of the middle and elementary school students, faculty, and homeowners.

4. The PonteBello development would disturb sensitive flora and fauna, threaten endangered wildlife, pollute nearby waterways and disrupt natural water flows, while defacing the perimeter slopes defining one of the last canyons in this part of the city.

5. Rezoning of this area arbitrarily serves the parochial interests of a private developer and represents a taking of property value from established property owners and tax payers.