Residents of the 4600 block of Point Loma Avenue in Ocean Beach are feeling very frustrated.
They have found out that a developer plans to build 8 ADU’s on a back property of a single-family house on that block. This is happening on 4648 – 4650 Point Loma.
They do understand that adding a couple ADU units is normal, but to add 8 more units with one existing house – they consider “insane.” What was supposed to be a nice granny flat or a couple units in the back to help with income, has turned into a plan for everyone to live in condos and not have any green at all. The developer is planning eight 2-story units.
Local residents trying to understand what is going on and finding something they can do to try to prevent this development, have read up on the laws, but feel they are so vague for the general public, that they allow “developers to find every loophole they can find to screw over the public,” as one resident stated.
Some of the residents contacted the group, Neighbors for a Better San Diego and were told that the developer in question is taking advantage of San Diego’s egregious 2020 Bonus ADU program. Plus, this is more example of developers acting on the opportunity that our own City Hall has handed to them. Neighbors wrote one resident in an email:
“It was a gift come true for these developers and that this code was written WITH developers FOR developers. The city created so many incentives that, of course, they are taking advantage of this golden opportunity. It’s maddening to say the least and you are not alone in your frustrations.”
The group also offered the following links to their extensive writings about the programs:
- https://www.neighborsforabettersandiego.org/so/8aOUSXG_K?languageTag=en
- https://www.neighborsforabettersandiego.org/so/11OOzkqc0?languageTag=en
- https://www.neighborsforabettersandiego.org/so/f9OOLLcvz?languageTag=en
- https://www.neighborsforabettersandiego.org/so/ddOCLWnBo?languageTag=en&cid=2b5e53a1-824b-4415-8dd1-f52c1b18bef1#/main
Another obvious recourse is to approach the local community planning committee, the Ocean Beach Planning Board.
What can individual residents do in a situation like this — facing an “insane” intrusion into their neighborhood such as this?
Although the residents of that block are frustrated, these are desperate times for housing, and immediate measures (including 8! ADU’s on one! property) are needed (even if, unfortunately, developers line their pockets in the process).
I’ve been living in my van for 8 months because housing costs are too high for my single income as a teacher. While I’m grateful for my van (and have made the best of it) I hope one day to live inside of a building again. Doing so will make it easier for me to date, take continuing education classes that will
help me advance my career, start a family, and provide them stability.
These 8 units will significantly increase the local housing supply, affording me a better chance at living in a building again and allowing me to focus less on my immediate needs (like where I can park my van for the night without getting hassled) and instead spend my mental energy planning for my future.
Although van life has been fun at times, haha, and I’m grateful to not have to be in a tent on the street, my dream is to come home from my full time teaching job to a building – in part just so that I can feel more like others I know in my community.
Well, Marc, the process you’re applauding will result in the departure of those “others” you know in the community. Also, I know how much teachers make and it’s difficult to see how you as a single person cannot afford anything or anywhere to live except your van.
Fortunately for Marc and others like him if the others do leave the community all the better more units for them
No offense Marc, but if you are in that dire of a situation, I would suggest moving somewhere that is more affordable. And by the way, you will not be able to afford one of these “houses,” so you should really reconsider your life choices.
Sam,
I don’t know Marc’s full situation and can’t say if ADU’s are the answer, but I mean this with all due respect. GFY!!!
Chris, your command of the English language is absolutely exquisite!
It get’s the point across Sam I Am.
Chris, the views you express are false due to the fact you don’t sincerely hold them yourself.
Vern,
I know what you’re doing but I’m rightfully calling people out when I make that accusation. Wouldn’t you agree?
Nope, don’t agree with your “GFY!!” comment. You might consider climbing back in your pothole for spell to let some of your anger & self-righteousness wear off.
Nevertheless, Marc should consider finding more affordable digs elsewhere, shack up with roommates or get a second/third job to earn what it takes to live in America’s Most Expensive City. A teacher should be able to figure this out on his/her own and, possibly, with the help of family, friends and colleagues.
Vern,
I’m not talking about the GFY comment. I stand by that. I’m talking about when I call people out for expressing opinions that are so absurd there’s just no way they truly believe their own words. Example, the belief that an explosion of dense housing will lower rents. Based on things you’ve posted in other articles about housing and homelessness, it appears to me you agree with that as well.
In the case of Sam I Am, the dismissive “pick up and move somewhere cheaper” attitude is just cold hearted and as far as I’m concerned, disgusting. That and other things he’s said. He has a right to his opinions and I (we all do) have a right to mine which includes opinions about him personally.
Our homeless population has gotten to the point it has because people are being priced out, so when someone who’s “got theirs” dismissively says, “Just move”, I say f**k them. Everyone can’t just pick up and move and it’s s***y that some of the more fortunate think that way. So teachers, nurses, hospitality workers, etc should be just move? That may be necessary but it shouldn’t be that way and it’s a situation that needs to be fixed. I don’t know Marc’s circumstances. Maybe it is from bad decisions or bad luck or both.
Well, my opinion is the S#!TTY comments should be left on Facebook and X (the platform formally known as Twitter). The Rag is way better than that.
Chris, regarding high density, yes, there’s no way it’ll reduce housing costs in SD. Agreement on that point.
Housing costs in SD will always keep increasing well ahead of wages. The cost of infrastructure will go up as will water, gas, electricity, food, services, public transit, taxes, etc.
It appears only private equity/hedge funds, the brainwashed YIMBYs and other delusional dullards believe otherwise.
As you may be aware, wages in America’s Most Expensive City are and have been low forever and a day. There are at least ten colleagues of mine that, in the last four/five years, have moved away from SD and are earning far more wage, in several cases over double, doing the same type of mechanical engineering/detailing, and are paying far less for housing. Four of them purchased homes within a year of resettling elsewhere and are building equity as we type. Good for them!
Vern,
I’m glad your colleagues are doing well and that they’re happy with their decisions.
SD has always been expensive in relation to the cost of most other cities, even before it got to the point that it’s in now. Once upon a time, it was a matter of bang for your buck, now it’s gotten to absolute survival. I think you will also agree with me it’s due to pure greed.
Um, ya know when I was emitting too much salt and it was showing up in my litter box, I had to look to reduce that with other activities.
Bless you Chris Schultz!
Agree with Sam. Marc, if you are struggling that much now, it might serve you better to move to a city where living is cheaper. It will take thousands more of these projects to pull housing costs back down to affordable levels and probably a decade or so of time. This one development will make little difference in the interim. It will however clog the streets and make the neighborhood much more dysfunctional do to a lack of required parking spots.
It’s clear to me that people in this thread have strong feelings about this topic. I apologize to have triggered some of you. I can’t imagine how frustrating it would be to live beside a new development that had negative impacts.
I consider moving away from OB often, all because of my cost of living issues. But I have some life circumstances that make it more beneficial for me to stay, despite living in my van. My dad, who lives in OB, had a stroke two years ago and needs a decent amount of assistance about 3 times a week. Currently I provide that. I also have a happy third grader who goes to elementary school here – his mom lives in PLOB. I get to see him every week. And I’m happy at my job – I work for a local private school. They don’t pay as much as the public school wages you listed. In the next few years I do hope to promote and increase my earnings.
For now, and the next few years, OB fits where I’m at in my life. I think eventually there will come a time when I move on: my dad may pass, my son will be a teen and may not care to see me as often, my student loans will be paid off, and hopefully through raises and promotions I’ll earn enough to afford an apartment somewhere else in the county. But for now, OB is my spot – plus I like the people.
If I could take a redo on my life from about 16 years old on, I’d take it. Choices I made have made me fully responsible for the low wages I earn. And for all sorts of reasons, I currently have some strong ties to OB that influence me to stay here awhile longer. But those ties also push me to work hard, payoff bills, and promote, all to be able to actually rent an apartment here.
In the meantime, I’m very happy that I get to live amongst kind people like you who don’t harass me for living in my van in your neighborhood.
No offense Sam but I’m not sure you understand what ADUs are it stands accessory dwelling units that are specifically designed to not only be affordable but also to generate revenue for the home owner and I’m certain that Marc will qualify for the incentives and programs that allow housing cost to depend on income and service to the community such as teachers and officers and first responders. It would probably be best if you withdrew from this conversation because you sound entitled and callous to the plight of your fellow man perhaps if you made better word choices you wouldn’t sound like such a horrible person
I’m fully aware of what they are and how much they rent for. I know someone who is renting a 300 square foot “1 bedroom” craphole in an alley with no parking for $3,000/month. These ADUs are not going to bring rents down, and will only piss off the neighbors. I think it is naive to think otherwise.
That seems to under cut a big argument against STVRs. If STVRs are such a threat that they take away housing for residents, how does building housing not help in the aggregate? Macroeconomics exist.
I hate having STVRs around but I haven’t had any neighbors I’ve disliked other than two terrible landlords who do not reside locally. I also have multiple neighbors who don’t drive as I know parking is always contentious with this topic. I know they are not typical, but they do exist and I want more of them.
STRs remove existing naturally occurring affordable housing, and increase surrounding property values and long term rents.
Upzoning adds new units (3 of these will be “affordable” at 110% AMI ~$2600/mo and the other 5 will be market rate, and the front house already has obtained an STRO permit. Upzoning also drives up property values. Not to mention parking issues and lack of infrastructure funding for the additional density.
So the new units help housing, but with more negative consequences. Cutting Tier3 bnbs is low hanging fruit for creating housing with very few negative consequences. And it would have positive side effects, reducing surrounding property values and rents, and would force some offsite hosts to sell, creating new ownership opportunities. I can’t think of any negatives really. On site hosts would still be able to do their thing.
Can you afford $2600/mo for a tiny 1-br with no parking or yard or laundry? That’s what the “affordable” ADUs can be listed at.
It is almost like, we have to keep AirBnB happy, we allocate about 3500 STR licenses over an area of 324 square miles, but then to keep the STR manageres job easy, we put 1082 in Mission Beach with an area of 0.5 square miles. No, no, no!
Found: The average Public School Teacher salary in San Diego, CA is $62,379 as of January 26, 2024, but the range typically falls between $52,085 and $76,084.
He did not say he was a public school teacher. Private schools, charters, religious schools normally have lower salary schedules. I know this from experience: I taught for 32 years.
It true an entry level teacher doesn’t make anywhere near that my first year contract was $23500 plus you also have to factor in cost of materials for lessons which come out of the teachers pocket
As a fan of development and progress, this one leaves a bad taste in my mouth. We can and will take a closer look at it at the OB Planning board Meeting, assuming it shows up. If you care one way or another, show up! We will listen.
9 dwelling units in a single family zone.. eh.. I’m a huge fan of housing first but at what expense? What about fire hazard?
There is no longer any requirement for the developer to come before the OBPB.
Good Ole Cindy Wing was the listing agent and advertised this property. Maybe someone could buy a house next door to hers and build some 30″ tall units
**Attention High End *Builders, *Developers and *Homeowners looking to build the dream.**** The 7000 sq ft ocean view lot , Zoned Rm2: Multiple Minor should accommodate *2*: 30’ tall homes with potential ADUs. There’s an alley, so both homes could have private entrances. Current home is cottage built in 1940, with an ocean view from the front porch. Imagine blue ocean views from a 3rd story deck. *****Location,Location, Location, just 1.5 blocks to the pacific ocean, and entrance to Sunset Cliffs Natural Park. *****Create you high end nest egg, in a luxury way, in this multi-million dollar neighborhood.**Attention High End *Builders, *Developers and *Homeowners looking to build the dream.**** The 7000 sq ft ocean view lot , Zoned Rm2: Multiple Minor should accommodate *2*: 30’ tall homes with potential ADUs.Theres an alley, so both homes could have private entrances. Current home is cottage built in 1940, with an ocean view from the front porch. Imagine blue ocean views from a 3rd story deck. *****Location,Location, Location, just 1.5 blocks to the pacific ocean, and entrance to Sunset Cliffs Natural Park. *****Create your high-end nest egg, in a luxury way, in this multi-million dollar neighborhood. There’s money to be made here!
Listed by:
Cindy Wing DRE# 00897648 619-223-9464
Coldwell Banker West
Thanks Debbie for the fill-in info.
Yes, Debbie, It’s all about the money $
Units selling for 1.85 million each.
Todd Gloria et.al are in the pocket of developers.
This is yet another gift to developers under the guise of “affordable housing”
Additionally, no green space or parking for these units equals more pollution, traffic, water use, and inadequate infrastructure all impacted by population density. The City never disappoints with their poor planning and lack of consideration for the impact of their decisions. They pass these ordinances and walk away leaving the community to handle the consequences of their poor planning and as usual zero support later. It pains to say “I told you so”
Thanks Cindy ? I live on this block, a few spots over and when this home was bought the “couple” that bought the house was in front and said they purchased it for their firefighter son and his wife and kids. Of course, after renovations were done and it looked like every other boring rental, neighbors realized they had been lied to bold faced. What a great way to treat your neighbors! They said they were from OB but I don’t believe that now either, obviously. We have not seen them back since lol
Also, Warren Walker elementary is right across the street and parking is limited during the day into the evening. I would like to know where all the new tenants are going to park. 8 back units is excessive…..
Isn’t it the city of SD’s plan to have all “tenants” riding bikes, scooters, walking, & taking transit to get to and from work, school & the various & sundry other obligations individuals & families have. Seems SD wants landlords & tenants rather than homeowners… meaning a permanent, taxpaying renting-class.
(forgot one ampersand. dang it!)
Also the new buyer just obtained a short term rental license, presumably for the front house. I’m guessing they know ADUs are prohibited from renting for less than 30 day periods. But some are getting away with it anyways.
And they are converting the front garage to living area or maybe a 9th ADU? So yeah zero parking for 9 or 10 units. But it’s ok I’m sure the rental contracts will stipulate they’re commuting by pixie dust or bird scooters.
Also DSD reviewers are in violation of the LCP, which only allows 1 base ADU on this property, before having to follow the ADU bonus program for any additional.
And there will be zero noticing or public hearings on it. Most ADUs here are now being processed as a Process 1 administrative CDP now.
This is my neighborhood. Born and raised here, never leaving. This sickens me and even more so knowing all parties involved are laughing their way to the bank. It always has been and always will be about $$$. Follow the money trail all the way up to the city raking in the profits.
Say goodbye to “well established neighborhoods”. Say hello to transient resort living. Invest in a case of earplugs and a heavy dose of patience.
Just, booo.
If you want to see how crazy ADUs are getting, look at 1704 Hanford Drive. It’s a cul-d-sac neighborhood just west of the 163 as you approach the Friars Road off ramp. You can see it from the freeway. Somebody built two, 2-story apartments behind a tiny home in front. The lot size is probably 2,500 square feet. Mind you, there is no on-site parking, only parking in the cul-d-sac. I bet the neighbors LOVE the owner of this property. Not.
FrankF, whoa! What a mess that is. And trapped up against that soaking wet hillside with only one way in, one way out. Ouch!
Who really eats up this will make rents affordable? What’s the target for that affordablity? Whether you’re for it or not, all this accomplishes is being a major cash cow for the owners and upset the neighborhoods. This won’t even put a dent in the affordability issue and that this is the go-to argument is amusing, really. Rental expenses won’t be crashing over these apartments (let’s call it what it is).
I’m grateful we had the chance to buy 10 years ago and feel for those starting out these days. SD is tough on the finances but it can be done.
Gee, only 8? I live in Bay Ho. Across the street in our single family neighborhood developer putting up 12 units behind beautiful home on canyon at 4578 Jicarillo in Bay Ho. Neighbors have a go fund me (Friends of Bay Ho) and have hired an attorney. City discovered several code violations and have stopped the developers from building until all are cured. The 12 units will be 411 square feet each, with no parking required. Will that be 12, 24 or 36 cars here ? I wonder if 1 person can pay the “affordable” rent. This project is going allowed per city’s Bonus ADU program. Developers have to leave the front house, but it is the “wild west” behind. Todd Gloria pushed this and had all city council members in agreement when it went for vote. Our representative Jen Campbell is now backtracking, way to late for that now. Neighbors know we can’t stop this project and instead are trying to get it scaled down. If you have a moment drive by and see the mess. Garage torn down (with no permit) to get Caterpillar equipment out back to clear yard and dig up canyon. Plastic on roof, etc.
Who do we want to represent the City people? Affordable housing? Hah!!
Scott Lewis is right: San Diego Municipal Code prohibits the use of ADUs for short term rentals and will result in a Code violation. Only permitted companion units in existence before the September 2017 prohibition may be used as a STRO.
Scott corrected me in a comment to the facebook post. But he also implied that OB Elementary is not losing enrollment and teachers because of short-term rentals. Which is not true. OBE is losing students because short term rentals are eating up the local housing stock – which is something even OBE’s principal has claimed.
Cool story bro. Now ask the city why they’re issuing vacation rental licenses to ADUs?
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/969090579065137669
How can you possibly have 2,500 to 3,000 displaced residents in a community? There were some older residents who passed, but most were younger renters from 25-35. Many of these were professionals, potentially families and property owners. All, so that a relatively small group can make 3-4 times off of these properties.