San Diego County Zoning Decisions: May 2026

In May 2026, San Diego County held 4 public meetings covering zoning matters. 4 zoning decisions had a recorded outcome this month: 4 approved (100% approval rate). Activity was up 186% compared to April (43 activity items across 2 meetings).

Zoning Decisions This Month

San Pasqual Academy Transition Plan (Item 35)

Approved.

Board amended staff recommendations for San Pasqual Academy, a residential education facility for foster youth on a 238-acre campus. Struck the first recommendation to begin a planned/phased wind-down; replaced it with direction for the CAO to return with a high-level plan for the future of the campus including transitional age housing. Amended recommendation two to continue community engagement with clearer framing of staff perspective and a 90-day report back; retained recommendation three (12-month and 18-month report backs). Motion passed unanimously.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Cost Recovery Fee Ordinances - Land Development, Environmental Health, Agriculture Weights and Measures (Item 6)

Approved.

Board set a hearing for June 10, 2026 and approved the consolidated cost recovery proposal to adopt ordinances related to fees, deposits, and hourly rates for land development, environmental health and quality, and agriculture weights and measures effective FY 26-27, with CEQA exemption. Included fee increases for industrial hemp cultivation program. Passed with Supervisor Desmond voting no over concerns about permit fee increases for residential housing.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

American Airlines Lease at McClellan-Palomar Airport (Item 7)

Approved.

Board approved a three-year lease with two one-year options with American Airlines to continue commercial service at McClellan-Palomar Airport in Carlsbad, using Embraer 175 aircraft (76 seats, Stage 5 engines), with four arrivals and four departures per day plus up to 10 seasonal flights. Board found the 2021 Master Plan Program EIR complied with CEQA with no additional review needed. Expected revenue over $1 million per year. Advisory committee vote was. Passed unanimously. City of Carlsbad opposed, citing CUP amendment concerns and emergency response capabilities.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Behavioral Health Wellness Campus grant acceptance (item 33)

Approved.

Authorizes acceptance of a $99.5 million conditional Bond BHCIP round two grant (largest award in the state), waives board policy B-29, and authorizes up to $14.35 million in unspent behavioral health impact funds (partnership with City of San Diego) for development of a Behavioral Health Wellness Campus on county-owned property in the Midway District. Campus will include a crisis stabilization unit, mental health rehabilitation center, peer-focused social rehabilitation facility, adult residential substance use program, and outpatient community mental health clinic, adding 210 treatment slots serving ~23,000 clients annually. Construction expected 2028, completion May 2031. Passed unanimously.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Top Keywords This Month

• residential: 22 instances
• commercial: 20 instances
• land use: 19 instances
• industrial: 4 instances
• comprehensive plan: 2 instances

What to Watch

• Residential mentions were up 340% from April.
• Commercial came up 300% more often than April.
• Land use is new this month with 19 mentions, not present in April.

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