CARLSBAD, CA—On Tuesday evening, the Agua Hedionda 85/15 Specific Plan received unanimous approval by the Carlsbad City Council after six hours of presentations, public comment and deliberation.

This means that the plan, which GlobeSt reported on in June, is one step closer to full approval, and its related retail development, an open-air retail, dining and entertainment promenade at the intersection of I-5 and Cannon Road, is one step away from being implemented.

“I am honored by the trust that mayor Hall, the city council, and the community have placed in the Agua Hedionda 85/15 Plan, and by the overwhelmingly positive response it has received,” said Rick Caruso, founder and CEO of Caruso Affiliated, the firm that seeks to preserve a bit of Carlsbad wetland and character while allowing for the development of a Nordstrom-anchored retail project. “We have spent more than three years getting to know the character of Carlsbad, and the people who love and cherish their community. In hundreds of community meetings with thousands of residents, we have developed a plan that seamlessly fits with the fabric of Carlsbad.”

The 85/15 Plan is designed to preserve the unique lifestyle and character of Carlsbad by creating new access to 85% of the land along the south shore of the Agua Hedionda Lagoon (176 acres) as dedicated open space for the community, which today is mostly inaccessible to the public. In addition to maintaining and prtecting historic strawberry farming and coastal agricultural, the plan will create miles of new trails, picnic areas with lagoon views, and an environmental education program. Private revenue from the open-air shopping, dining and entertainment promenade (15% or 26 acres) will fully fund the creation and maintenance of the open space for generations to come—at no cost to the city or taxpayers. Leading fashion specialty retailer, Nordstrom, Inc., will serve as fashion anchor for the pedestrian-friendly promenade.

Seattle-based Nordstrom is planning a two-level, full-line store with its latest design concept, totaling approximately 123,000 square feet. Other community wishes for the pedestrian-friendly, open-air promenade will include a curated collection of high-quality retailers, both local, independent merchants and global brands, along with a best-in-class market and state-of-the-art movie theater. Dining options will range from casual on-the go eateries to sit-down, approachable and full-service operations, including chef-driven concepts and local farm-to-table eateries offering fresh produce from the Carlsbad Strawberry Company, grown on the property.

“This is truly a great, great day for Carlsbad, said mayor Matt Hall after Tuesday's action. “This is a one-of-a-kind piece of property and we guard that. What is exciting is we have found a one-of-a-kind developer. Rick is going to develop the land in such a way that we are going to not only be able to walk it and bike it, but also we will be able to continue to farm it. This is going to be the nicest project in San Diego County, if not the nicest project in Southern California.”

The Agua Hedionda 85/15 Specific Plan was submitted to the City of Carlsbad on May 12, 2015. The plan will now require approval from the California Coastal Commission, before development work can begin.

“The big winners today are the people of Carlsbad,” said plan proponent Bill Dominguez “(We) are one step closer to gaining 176 acres of newly accessible open space, sustainable and expanded strawberry farming, miles of new trails, picnic areas with lagoon views, an environmental education program for our kids and a great place for us to dine, shop and enjoy time with our families. All of this at no cost to taxpayers.”

Instant Insights /

Carlsbad Nordstrom Plan Closer to Reality

Related Stories

Recommended For You