Two Craftsmen-Style Turn-of-Century Homes to be Demolished & Replaced With 3 Story, Seven Units
Ocean Beach has never been safe from over-development and gentrification. It wasn’t in the past, and it’s still not safe now. The fight to “save Ocean Beach” has been on-going since at least 1970. Now, the latest skirmish is occurring right next to the entrance to Ocean Beach, where two, single-story craftsman style homes, built in 1912 and 1914, are slated for demolition. In their place are plans for a 3 story – at street level- building with 7 units, (the lots are on a slight hill), with little set-backs.
The two craftsmen-style houses, at 4824 and 4836 West Point Loma Blvd, are just one lot in from the site of the planned OB Entryway Project. Currently, the street is lined primarily with one-level, early 1900’s single family homes. There are two-story duplexes and apartments down and up the block, but the new project would physically sit way out ahead of the other homes on the street. In general, the bulk and scale of the project is out of character for the neighborhood, and the immediate area.
There are a number of factors that should take this new project off the building agenda, according to opponents who want people either to contact the City Council on this matter or attend the City Council Hearing on Tuesday, November 20.
These factors include: the development will mar the character of the entryway/ gateway to Ocean Beach. The project is out of character for the street compared to the type of houses presently located there. Some of these older homes have boat houses, from the time when they use to sit on the water’s edge. The overpowering three stories is a major factor as there are no such buildings with that height for a good distance away. The new project would set way out in front, not in the established setback. It will increase the density in the immediate area, and because of so many planned units, it will cause a traffic nightmare due to being so close to one of OB’s busiest corners. In all, the new project would be a major step, at a very key area of OB, of pure and uncategorical GENTRIFICATION.
SUPPORT the WEST POINT LOMA UNITS APPEAL, ITEM #338
Tues. Nov. 20, 2007 at 2 PM
Contact ALL Council Members or attend the Council Meeting at the City Admin., 202 C St., 12th Floor, Downtown San Diego (Support Slip)
The San Diego Coastal Alliance, in calling for folks to do this, believe that City Councilman Kevin Faulconer campaigned on how important it was to preserve our historic buildings and communities, and now wants to hold him accountable. Kevin Faulconer, Ph: (619) 236-6622; Fax: (619) 236-6996
kevinfaulconer@sandiego.gov
To carpool to Council of for more info. contact Trish Hausman at 619-223-9200 or pattilee6@yahoo.com
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
From friends, we heard that the appeal was denied, and that the City Council voted to uphold the new project which will force the demolition of the two craftsmen-style houses on W. Pt. Loma.
The appeal was denied unanimously with Donna Frye absent (she left right before this issue was heard.
We tried. It was obvious that it didn’t matter at all what we said, Kevin Faulconer had already made up his mind that this three story complex would be just fine for the neighborhood. None of them cared about the heritage, the history, the character of the neighborhood, much less the overpowering bulk and scale of the proposed construction.
The architect speaking for the developers was just as deceptive at this meeting as he was at the planning commission meeting and he got away with it again. I didn’t realize that I lived on a block of 2 and 3 story big box type structures. Could have fooled me!
We tried.
I would like to offer a sincere thank you for those of those of you who actually took a little time and emailed the council people. Your efforts are appreciated. In the end they didn’t care, but at least they did have some input, and from the letters that people coded me in on they had some great input.
Trish
There were 4 from my household, four from different addresses down the street and Pat James. Three of the people had to leave before the item was heard. The meeting started at 2:00pm and they told me to get there at 1:30pm. This item was not heard until almost 7:00pm.
I was not able to go to the OB planning board meeting for this one, but I understand they were split down the middle. Some of them realized that the bulk and scale of the project was simply inappropriate for the location.
I will never understand how they got through the local planning board and by the Coastal Commission.
It is most unfortunate.
Trish
What happened to our great OB Planning Board??!! Somebody tell me, please!
Local planning committees, often criticized for being simply NIMBYs – are a two-edged sword. They can restrict such moves as affordable housing but they can also be a last bastion against over development and gentrification – especially if they have any teeth.