A 122-townhome project on Bernardo Plaza Court heads to the Rancho Bernardo Planning Board for a vote Thursday, Sept. 17. The board will also weigh in on childcare zoning near MCAS Miramar and a proposed Mission Bay free-parking measure.

The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at Seven Oaks Community Center, 16789 Bernardo Oaks Drive.

122 townhomes on Bernardo Plaza Court

The board's biggest agenda item is an update on the "City View Rancho Bernardo" project. Developers Latitude 33 and KB Home want to convert roughly 5.5 acres of commercial land at 11818 Bernardo Plaza Court into 122 townhomes, according to the board's meeting agenda. The conversion requires both a Community Plan Amendment and a rezone.

The project calls for 50 two-bedroom units and 72 four-bedroom units, all with two-car garages. Thirteen units would be designated affordable at 100% of area median income, according to city development plans filed under permit PRJ-1123397. The proposed density is 22.6 dwelling units per acre.

The board voted 7-2 on July 18, 2024, to approve initiating the Community Plan Amendment. Board members June Smith and Gary Long voted against it. Guest parking drew concern at an Oct. 1, 2024, Development Review Committee meeting, when Brad Sonnenburg of Latitude 33 and John Abboud of KB Home reported only 24 guest spaces were planned. The current guest-parking count was not available in the latest submittal.

The project has gone through four city planning reviews since September 2024, the most recent on Jan. 30. The board's Development Review Committee, chaired by Benjamin Wier, is also scheduled to review the project Tuesday, Sept. 15.

Childcare centers near Miramar

The board's Regional Issues Committee, chaired by Victoria Touchstone, is asking the full board to recommend that the San Diego City Council deny the city Planning Department's request to overrule the Airport Land Use Commission on childcare centers near MCAS Miramar.

The City Council unanimously approved a Land Development Code update May 11 that would allow childcare centers in Miramar's airport transition zone, as reported by the San Diego Union-Tribune. But the county Airport Land Use Commission voted in July to reject the change. The commission's compatibility plan states that children are considered "less ambulatory, vulnerable occupants" whose presence would impede "swift evacuation" during an aviation emergency.

City planning officials announced Aug. 24 that the City Council will hold an initiation hearing on the overrule in October. The Miramar transition zone covers University City, Mira Mesa, Clairemont, Kearny Mesa and Torrey Pines, according to the Union-Tribune.

Mission Bay parking

The board will discuss a proposed ordinance to keep parking free at city-owned beach and Mission Bay lots. The City Council's Rules Committee unanimously approved the measure Aug. 27, according to KPBS. The ordinance would bar parking fees at those lots under the Municipal Code.

The board's agenda states the council voted to preserve free parking for city residents while non-residents would pay current rates. Whether the full council has formally adopted the ordinance could not be confirmed. How the city-resident distinction will be enforced is the focus of Thursday's discussion.

The meeting is open to the public. The board also plans to seat new members and hear subcommittee reports.