Yesterday’s Rag announced the upcoming meeting of the Project Review Committee of the OB Planning Board — Wed., April 17 — and recounted how the committee only had one project to review. (Usually, the committee makes recommendations on proposed projects to the full board.)
Yes, the Committee only has one project to review — but what a dousey!
What’s being proposed at the corner at 4705 Point Loma Avenue is a 3-story, 20 unit complex — but only 3 of its units will be “affordable” and it will only provide 9 parking spaces.
The density that is being proposed in way out of whack with OB’s normal density limits. But the developer can bypass local community plans as long as it’s complying with Mayor Gloria’s so-called Complete Communities.
The developer calls it “The Point” and we’ve included a few of its renderings and statements below for your enjoyment (the Project Review Committee meets Wednesday night at the OB Rec Center at 6pm) — and links are at the very bottom:
Here are direct links to the unzipped plans and presentation.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VNF3G1–jQ2EDFe50b7PHZ12x5r8Qb5R/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/13qiitCU4_KHRVgTiopbh9M1iZyHGN_rs/view?usp=sharing
Multi family development? WTF? Does a family of 4 rent 4 separate units?
Stack ‘n’ Pack!
Architect said tonight that this is not envisioned to be a family oriented complex. He then rephrased to say not “family centric.” One of the Planning Board members then said what does that even mean?!!
Coke and strippers oriented
I did need that spelled out for me, kh, thank you. That makes sense to me now. Single individuals, as in 1 person, with no children, who can afford premium San Diego rent and who also may spend their income on coke and strippers — comprendo. The window openings designed around the stairs with mesh wire netting (not glass windows and not open air) will contribute an architectural aesthetic to the coke and strippers vibe. Isn’t mesh wire usually used to keep rats out?
Todd Gloria is ruining this City with his push for massive development with no urban planning whatsoever. ??If this continues, Point Loma and other areas will quickly become ridiculously over-crowded. Neighborhoods will be lined with cars with absolutely no where to park. Quiet suburban streets will become downtown Los Angeles. Once it happens, there is literally no turning back.??Hiding under the guise of “affordable housing”, Gloria clearly intends to allow developers to do anything they want. Why? Follow the money. How much money have developers given Gloria.??The Mayor is building a power base so he can leave San Diego in a shambles and get a higher office.??We must stop him.
It went to the committee that recommends yea or nay to the OB Planning Board. A 3-2 vote was in support of a 20-unit, 3-story building with only 9 parking spaces for a possible 40 people and their cars and dogs. THERE IS AN APPEAL PROCESS, DEADLINE IS APRIL 24, and each appeal application has a $1,000 fee. This committee does not represent the concerns of the immediate neighbors and/or home owners. Careful who you vote for, this is what you get. A state that promotes more people, hhigh density housing, and penalizes cities who do not show projects called Complete Communities in our area. Big State Fines, BIG $$$ INVESTING.
I think the 9 parking spaces is history; it is 3.5 parking spaces, or maybe 4 or maybe 3.
Square sardine cans.
I wonder if the developer gave any money to the mayor’s charity?
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/watchdog/story/2024-04-16/gloria-fined-over-10k-for-failing-to-disclose-donations-to-charity-that-supports-mayors-office
How many affordable units should there have been?
If the goal of upzoning is to make housing affordable then every single unit over the prior maximum should be made affordable or not built at all.
That’s what I thought.
There has to be at least 15% affordable units to get the density bonus which in this case is an FAR of 2.5 instead of 2. (So they can build 2.5 times the size of the lot instead of 2) and more units.
I thought it was 40% of base density. It would be interesting to see how the affordable density bonus would apply to this project vs Complete Communities. I think the affordable density bonus is based on total units, not base density. And I really hate that talking about it sounds has to sound like a foreign language. These programs are far too complex.
3 “affordable” units in the plans. Unlimited density currently allowed as part of some concoction called a Complete Community.
Looks like college dorms.
3.5 parking spots. Whatever a half spot is. Which would all go to any handicapped tenants. I think. Leaving close to 40 people looking for parking, if other units have 2-3 people per unit. Lots of claims about green space on the sidewalk but don’t see where the greenery is going to go except in a spruced up architects drawing.
As BTO sings you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.
An application was filed on March 1, 2024 – for 4591 Pescadero proposing a “3,836 square-feet three-story detached multifamily building consisting of (8) accessory dwelling units,(3) accessory dwelling units on the first floor, (3) accessory dwelling units on the second floor, and (2) accessory dwelling units on the third floor, at a site with an existing single dwelling unit.”
Details are available on the City’s website public record/land use.
Why are they applying Complete Communities to this project? The City Code says that Complete Communities only applies within the Sustainable Development area (https://docs.sandiego.gov/municode/MuniCodeChapter14/Ch14Art03Division10.pdf) and per the City’s map – this site is not in the Sustainable Development area (https://webmaps.sandiego.gov/portal/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=0295d35b03a14d929d3459fe0b9b50cf).
OB is not on the SDA map because that code update has not been approved by the Coastal Commission. Nor have the zero-parking code updates that were mentioned yesterday.
But OB is in a Transit Priority Area, which does allow Complete Communities, in some cases. The code that is in effect in the Coastal Zone also requires the Complete Communties projects to have a 10ft clear-width sidewalk with trees on both sides. And the program isn’t allowed in designated historical districts.
Don’t worry if you’re confused, the building department is too.
Here is the code that is legally-binding in the Coastal Zone: https://www.sandiego.gov/sites/default/files/ordinance-21275.pdf
If you want to see what the future looks like, 3781 32nd Street at North Park Way a block from the North Park Library. A three story abomination dropped in the very small side yard of a 100 year old bungalow. If that side yard is 25′ wide I’d be surprised. Access to the units if only via an outdoor stairway that is only fit for goats. No parking, period, and those streets are already packed.
I feel sad for the residents of the bungalow first, and North Park second. Once started, this won’t stop.
We need to appeal by the deadline, and that means collaboration and planning based on the $1,000 appeal fee per applicant. btw, I want to see something beautiful on that corner, and I would support a reasonable 8 unit building with some parking. All of the neighbors had heard about this. NONE of us heard about the 20 units. Is it legal to hide the project from the closest neighbors? Who is responsible for notify impacted people? ON A LONG TERM NOTE: If you care about OB/Sunset Cliffs then consider running for the OB Board or the City Planning Board who has the power. Also, why were not told about the $1,000 fee at the meeting? I hope I a wrong about that fee. If the fee is $1,000 how do we get a waiver, the contractor has applied for many waivers already!!!!!!!!