A developer who wants to build a new upscale, open-air mall on the edge of Carlsbad’s Agua Hedionda lagoon pitched his plan Tuesday as a way to preserve open space at no cost to taxpayers.
The site is next to Cannon Road in Carlsbad, where drivers heading north on Interstate 5 currently see strawberry fields on the east side of the freeway.
Flanked by supporters and with the blue waters of the lagoon behind him, Rick Caruso, CEO of Caruso Affiliated, said he’s calling the plan "85/15" — 15 percent of the land closest to the freeway and the lagoon would be developed as an upscale outdoor shopping center, similar to The Grove in Los Angeles. The remaining 85 percent of the land, more than 170 acres, would be preserved as open space and for agriculture.
“And the important additional aspect is, it won't cost the taxpayers, or the residents of Carlsbad, a penny,” Caruso said.
Jimmy Ukegawa, president of the Carlsbad Strawberry Company, said he is pleased with the plan because it will allow him to continue growing strawberries, though some fields would have to be moved.
Ukegawa has cut back production in recent years, but would be able to increase from 30 to 50 acres by adding other fruit and vegetables that could be sold to the restaurants in the plaza, he said.
Maureen Simons, chair of the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation, also supports the project.
The developer said walking trails and viewpoints will be done before the commercial shopping and dining areas open for business.
Caruso said he plans to budget about $7 million for traffic mitigation measures.
Unlike development projects like One Paseo in Carmel Valley, which has encountered stiff resistance from the local community, Caruso said his plans are consistent with the area’s existing general plan and growth management plan.
Lennar Corp. in 2006 dropped plans to buy the land along the edge of the lagoon and build houses on it. Carlsbad residents voted for Proposition D to preserve the strawberry fields as open space.
Caruso Affiliated will begin collecting signatures from the public to present the plan to the Carlsbad City Council in late August. The council can approve it or put it on the ballot for the community to decide.
