Questions surround local Planning Commissions

Controversies in Carlsbad and Oceanside put spotlight on Planning Commission appointments and processes as residents voice concerns over merit, transparency

NORTH COUNTY — The spotlight on two planning commissions is bright after a controversial appointment in Carlsbad and a new proposal for appointments in Oceanside has emerged.

In Carlsbad, Councilwoman Teresa Acosta nominated Spencer Burrows to the commission and was approved by the council last week. Burrows is the director of the Political Action Committee for the Carlsbad Democrats club, which donated $200 to Acosta’s campaign in June 2024 and has brought frustration and anger from some residents.

He is also a history teacher at Pacific Ridge School, where he also is involved with civics and used to teach history, debate and politics at the Sanford College of Education, according to his Pacific Ridge biography.

In Oceanside, Deputy Mayor Eric Joyce and Councilman Jimmy Figueroa, who was elected in November, put forward an item for today’s council meeting to amend how the council appoints Planning Commission members. If approved as is, the commissioners would not require City Council approval and they would be announced to the public at the following council meeting.

Planning Commissioners hear matters relating to land use of planning and development and implement a city’s General Plan, zoning ordinances and review development applications, among other duties.

Dozens of residents in both cities have expressed disappointment with the Carlsbad appointment and the Oceanside proposal.

Messages were left with Burrows, Joyce, Figueroa, and four members of the Carlsbad City Council, but were not returned by deadline. Carlsbad City Councilman Kevin Shin said he won’t comment on another council member’s appointment outside a public meeting.

Typically, district elected officials will not challenge nominations outside their district, or initiate policy without the district representatives approval, according to political insiders. One example is the Tijuana River Valley when Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer initiated the area to be declared a Superfund site, which is in former Supervisor Nora Vargas’ district.