Caruso Carlsbad Center Faces Opposition

Caruso Affiliated’s plan to build an open-air retail center in Carlsbad could go up for a referendum vote after residents opposed to the development collected more than 9,000 signatures in efforts to overturn the City Council’s approval of the project.

The Caruso Carlsbad center would feature retail and entertainment, with Nordstrom as an anchor store. The development would sit on 26 acres of a 203-acre site near the Agua Hedionda Lagoon. The rest of the site is planned for open space, recreation and public access.

County officials have until Nov. 5 to determine if there will be a referendum on the project. Referendum or not, Caruso still needs approval from the California Coastal Commission.