BOARD OF SUPERVISORS - LAND USE - 2025-12-10
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved a three-year ground lease with United Airlines for commercial service at Palomar Airport in Carlsbad, with flights beginning March 30, 2026 to San Francisco and Denver. The vote passed 4-1 with Chair Lawson Reimer opposing due to concerns about community noise impacts and the City of Carlsbad's objection that the county should first obtain a conditional use permit amendment. The board also received updates on the countywide food contract with Sysco and directed staff to return in 90 days with improved local sourcing goals and technical assistance plans for small farms.
Key Decisions (5)
United Airlines Ground Lease at Palomar Airport
Approved a three-year lease with two one-year extension options for United Airlines to operate at McClellan-Palomar Airport in Carlsbad. United will operate Embraer 175 aircraft (70 seats) with up to four daily departures to San Francisco and Denver hubs. The county authorized waiving approximately $517,600 in first-year fees, with full revenue of over $1 million annually for years two through five. The lease begins March 1, 2026 with first flights on March 30, 2026.
Consent Agenda Items 1-4
Approved routine consent agenda items including land use matters.
San Diego Community Power Partnership for Affordable Clean Energy
Directed county staff to inventory potential eligible sites on county property for the Disadvantaged Communities Green Tariff (DACGT) program, which funds small-scale solar installations in disadvantaged communities and provides low-income households with 20% discount on power bills. The program could serve up to 9,000 low-income households.
Countywide Food Contract Update with Sysco
Received update on countywide food contract implementing Board Policy B-75 for sustainable, equitable, and local food sourcing. Annual spending is approximately $12 million, primarily for Edgemoor Nursing Facility and Sheriff Detention Facilities. Local sourcing remains at approximately 2.5% of purchases.
Homelessness Response Transparency Update
Received update on advancing transparency and accountability for homelessness response in unincorporated areas. Staff will implement monthly dashboard specific to unincorporated communities and quarterly memos to the board with analysis of data and by-name list information.
Development Activity (1)
United Airlines Commercial Service Expansion
Commercial airline service with Embraer 175 aircraft (70 seats), up to 4 daily departures to San Francisco International and Denver International airports, 4 arrivals per day. First flight at 7:30AM, final arrival at 9:50PM.
Market Signals (4)
Commercial Demand
United Airlines expanding commercial service to North County indicates strong regional demand for convenient air travel connections to national and international markets.
Housing Demand
County has 1,700 new housing units in pipeline on county-owned land, indicating continued focus on addressing housing shortage.
Infrastructure
Palomar Airport currently operating at only 30% capacity, with commercial service expansion expected to bolster economic impact and FAA funding commitments.
Sentiment
City of Carlsbad formally opposed United Airlines lease, requesting county delay until conditional use permit amendment is obtained, indicating tension between regional development and local community concerns.