There’s another community in San Diego that feels like they’ve been victimized by a huge apartment complex coming in without any neighborhood input. This time it’s the community of Golden Hill where residents are feeling very agitated by a “stealth” 8-story, 180-unit complex planned for the 2900 block of A Street. And the residents feel abandoned by the City of San Diego.
Three adjacent lots on that block have been recently sold and are all now behind wire fences. And neighbors feel like the city has forgotten about the families who live around there and now favors big developers.
Prompted by a resident’s concerns, local TV station CBS8 looked into it and searched the City’s website. There’s a proposed development in the preliminary stage of the process at 2935 A Street, they reported.
Here’s an example of what the developer constructed (this is NOT the proposed apartments for A Street):
According to the website, it says the scope is:
“The proposed development (“the Project”) at 2935 A Street is for an 8-story multifamily building composed of a three-story Type I-A concrete podium and five-story Type III-A wood residential structure and a three-story underground parking structure. The project will include 180 for-rent residential units, with amenity spaces on levels 1-2, and a roof deck. The Project intends to utilize the Complete Communities Housing Solutions Program offered by the City of San Diego. Enclosed with this submittal is the preliminary massing study, concept design, and building layout with context and perspective imagery for your reference.”
As per CBS8, “The Complete Communities Housing Solutions Program from the City of San Diego means- the developer can apply for fast tracked permits that can be approved in 30 days, with no public review. It’s a development process people all over San Diego say they feel shut out of.
The resident who contacted the station, Joe Sevilla, remarked:
“If those are the rules let’s change them. They work for us. They work for us, we don’t work for them. If that’s the case we need to find a solution.”
Sevilla, a resident of Golden Hill for 57 years, said he and his neighbors feel shut out of the process or developing their community. They noticed 3 lots in a row on A street sold and now stand empty but they weren’t sure what’s coming.
The station did reach out to the Chicago-based property owner and developer, CEDARst to get more information about what it plans to do and their PR firm responded and said they would not comment nor would they give them any pictures or renderings of their proposal.
CBS8 reported that “this same developer recently opened a 7-story, 190-unit luxury apartment building on Park Boulevard between Balboa Park and University Heights. It’s right now listing 476 square feet studio apartments for $2400 – $2500/month.”
Here are images of other 8-story apartment buildings, none of which are the proposed building because neither the city or the developer has released images.
Sevilla says he and his neighbors feel frustrated by the lack of help from the City when they’ve tried to find information about the properties near him. He said:
“Unfortunately when you deal with the City sometimes, and developers that’s not from town, there’s not much you can do.”
CBS8 did report that they reached out to Councilmember Stephen Whitburn’s to see what he could tell his Golden Hill constituents who feel they are not represented as the City tries to add housing. Incredibly his office responded that no developers had applied for permits for that site. Here’s his office response:
“Golden Hill residents know their neighborhood well, and I want to hear their views on all projects. So far, no developers have applied for any permits at this site. I invite residents to send any comments to my office, and we will ensure their comments are heard if a developer submits a formal proposal.”
It should be noted that Whitburn is currently running for re-election. If his office made such a statement in the middle of an election, perhaps his office is also unaware of the project.
Sevilla says he and his neighbors would like to be part of the process and their community concerns addressed. They do have concerns about months of loud noise and billowing dirt, as Albert Einstein Elementary School is across the street from the lots on A Street. Also the huge building would be directly under the flight path to the San Diego International Airport. Other concerns are the lack of parking, traffic congestion, higher density and new rezoning increases. Also the Golden Hill Planning Committee was apparently not included in the plans.
Sevilla also stated:
“A lot of the residents are concerned about being ignored by city council and Mayor Todd Gloria as far as development. We need to be involved in the process. It’s community members. Its residents. it’s homeowners. We need to be involved.”
Golden Hill residents are having the same problems that Point Loma residents are having with the city and a proposed 56-unit apartment complex planned for Rosecrans without community input.
Simple: DEFEAT TODD GLORIA
If only it were that simple…. but neither candidate is a good one. While Gloria has betrayed constituents, the cop could only be worse. We need better options, but that won’t happen in time to address this issue. If this corporation gets its way, the project will start long before the next mayoral term begins and similar projects will as well.
“…the cop could only be worse…” yeah, probably not.
Even if you actually believe that, you must understand that a new mayor would not take office in time to change anything in regards to this project.
Doesn’t matter. The practice needs to stop ASAP! When you have a spill, you contain the source, and then the clean up.
Joe Sevilla has fought a long and heroic battle to protect his community from this predatory development by an out-of-town builder. Our neighborhoods keep getting plundered, and the profits keep flowing far away. The three houses pictured could and should be rehabbed. And yes, Whitburn will listen politely to his constituents. He’ll smile and thank them sincerely. And then he will do absolutely nothing. Golden Hill is a jewel. It deserves better.
You’re right, Kate, and I understand that while campaigning during the Primary this spring, you may it a point to investigate this project.
Hi Kate. You are right. It is a lovely jewel and deserves a better treatment
Thank you for hard work
Curious, does anyone know of ANY one building project that the mayor, councilperson, etc actually listened to the residents’ concerns over and decided to change course?
… excuse me while I laugh. Okay, it is rare. But I think Donna Frye did when she sat on the City Council. For example, she listened to constituents’ concerns about the possible toxic dump next to SeaWorld, found some money and sponsored a scientific study of the site.
Yes! 4705 Point Loma Ave. Neighbors filed a 79-page appeal and then a 79-page addendum, hired a lawyer, and another retired lawyer spoke as he showed our slide show. What a surprise to all of us, there was a unanimous vote to support the appeal and the project stopped. However, I am not suggesting that this is a done deal. Until the Gloria mandates are removed the City will write new “not laws” which replace existing laws. The President, the Governor, the Mayor write executive orders that usurp existing laws. We all have to THINK about who we vote for and the worse case scenario. We ‘see’ what they do after they are elected, and Gloria stripped our city of power and removed us from the ‘finest’ city label by setting up 30-day permitting for out-of-state financiers and developers. BEST choice we have in the moment is to FIRE THE MAYOR by voting him out. VOTE LARRY TURNER. Careful on the Propositions, they are written to trick you.
I completely agree with Kate’s comments. The houses could and should be restored. The size of the proposed building and number of units is absurd given the surroundings. At the very least, input from the community should be allowed and considered. These buildings are going up all over town in locations where they are simply out of place. North Park, PB, North PB/Birdrock. Joel has taken the first step in getting people on board to oppose this project. Please spread the word, because it’s going to happen in your neighborhood next if we don’t challenge these monstrosities.
Thank you
This 180-unit luxury apartment building would be bad for the community. It would not offer affordable housing and would be inaccessible to low- and middle-income community members. This project poses a huge threat to this cute little neighborhood in many ways, one of which is its certain negative impact on an already difficult parking situation.
When the community demanded that government officials make it easier to build additional AFFORDABLE housing, we never imagined this monstrosity could be the result. Multi-unit buildings are needed, but 180 units and 8 stories is obviously going overboard. It doesn’t fit the surroundings, doesn’t make sense, and would forever change the community. Gloria, Whitburn, and the entire City Council and other decision makers need to listen to the neighbors who will be directly impacted by such projects.
Why is nobody working on repurposing abandoned and un- and underused existing buildings as affordable housing? There are a number of city, county, and state-owned buildings which are currently empty or barely used. These buildings could be rehabilitated and/or redesigned to provide housing for the many community members who have been priced out of housing or lost housing due to various other reasons.
… seems to be just on the boundary of the South Park Historic District. See this https://www.sohosandiego.org/resources/southpark1.htm
Yes, it is within the historic district, but apparently the homes there have been modified so I was told by neighbors they cannot qualify as historic homes. I’m not sure whether anyone has actually pursued that.
As for new buildings in a historic district, our elected officials have apparently changed the rules. It was previously required that any new builds be consistent with the city’s historic preservation regulations:
Historical review: Any project within a historic district or on a site with a structure that’s 45 years or older requires a historical review.
Compatibility: New construction must be compatible with the historic character or style of the area.
Historical Resources Board: The Historical Resources Board is the appointed body that reviews and approves new construction projects.
Secretary of Interior guidelines: New construction must be consistent with the Secretary of Interior’s guidelines for historic property rehabilitation and preservation.
Apparently the 2024 changes focus on
Adaptive reuse: Use historic buildings for new purposes while maintaining their character.
Streamlined process: A simplified permitting process for projects in historic districts.
Potential for controversy: Some community members might be concerned about the potential for overdevelopment or alterations to the historic fabric of the neighborhoods.
And still, we aren’t talking about repurposing buildings which are currently un- or underused to provide affordable housing for those living in poverty, and with low and middle incomes. Why not?
I’m just saying … see this
If it is in a historic district, then the Complete Communities policies would not apply. Isn’t that why the planning commission denied 4705 Point Loma Avenue? Or am I mistaken.
No, Paul, you are correctomento.
This Golden Hill property is across the street from the Historic District. And did you notice how many units are low income? And how many were there before?
As it turns out, the rents of the existing (soon to be demolished) units were probably LESS than what the city finds suitable for low income housing. This may be the first project with a Double-Double. It is adjacent to Commercial Property.
That’s good info
Get Rid of Toad Gloria.
Aren’t the lots where the development will be constructed either empty or contain empty houses? I’m not sure I understand, would it be better to keep them empty than build the new units, even if the new building looks out of place?
Developers have the resources to purchase homes, leave them vacant, and create a situation where neighbors will say, “anything is better than what is there now.” Think of the Little Store at 4705 Point Loma Ave. It is the owners who create a vacant and derelict unit.
Well, start with why the houses became empty in the first place.
You are making a pretty big assumption here, that the 3 homes somehow became empty. At least two became empty due to their sales to this corporation. The same corporation is apparently planning similar projects all over town…. at least one has already been completed and offers studios of less than 500sf for something like $2500/ month.
The homes there can still be used a single family homes, or a smaller multi-unit project could fit in their place. This is a quaint neighborhood with no other similar structures or anything close to this size.
Yes, I agree.
One home is used to be own by an elderly lady who lived in it for many many years – she loved dearly her home and our community – it is very sad to see that it may be demolished – this like the other house just need TLC
Perhaps someone should teach Steve Whitburn and his staff to use the Internet, as his statement, ” So far, no developers have applied for any permits at this site.” This is from SanDiego.gov, for City Council reference: Record PRJ-111-2572, Preliminary Review, Status: Ready for Issuance. Scope of Work: The proposed development (“the Project) at 2935 A Street is for an 8-story multifamily building … The project will include 180 for-rent residential units. … Owner: A STREET CEDAR PROPERTY OWNER LLC\.” For anyone who wants to contact the city, the Project Manager is Martin Mendez. They do not give his email address.
Thanks nostalgic — It’s worse than anyone thought. Somebody please tell Collen Cusack that no one in Whitburn’s office knows how to use the in-TER-net, as George Bush used to say.
I guess you really don’t understand that a preliminary review is not the same thing as a permit. Whitburn had it right, maybe do a little research.
The city says, “Ready for Issuance.” What do you think that means, Josh?
Glad to hear that CBS8 News gave this some publicity, along with OB Rag. We need to encourage our local news media to continuously highlight these developments, to create more community engagement and push back on the City Council and other political entities that are allowing this bad behavior. Definitely VOTE. But need to protest against these with lots of media attention to stop the current pipeline of highrises. Similar situation is happening on the hillside by Washington and India Streets.
Whitburn chose his words carefully: “So far, no developers have applied for any permits at this site.” No permit has been applied for, but the Project application PRJ-1113572 has been under review since March 19, 2024 when the developer started paying fees on this project. This is a political response – not an honest response. The PRJ precedes the PMT or permit. If I can find the project description and details online, Whitburn or someone in his office certainly can!
Wow. This information was never provided to me in my various conversations with district 3 staff – very disappointing and sad –
Sadly, it’s the same template of micro units. I thought Todd Gloria and his city council minions agreed that there is a need for 2–3-bedroom units for families. Oh, I guess by the time the developer donates to city hall’s various political campaigns, the project for families ‘won’t pencil out’ and will have to be trailed for another project.
Thanks, Steve Whitburn, for throwing another community in your district under the bus.
There is just too much money to be made by the developers to stop these projects, I was a passive investor in a project in North Park similar to this one, the developer was cash poor, I told him my terms, I doubled my money in 2 years, the developer who had no skin in the project pocketed 2,000,000 in 2 years, he sold it before it was completed, good luck slowing them down or stopping them.
You are exactly right – I think these developers are all using a computer AI algorithm to select sites with specific characteristics. The original owner takes a part ownership, maybe a little cash, and waits patiently. The idea that these developers start with big bucks is not true. But they certainly have plenty when their first project is over, and if they ever rent at the promised rent is no longer the developer’s problem – a caution for potential donors to the developer side of the fence. The Golden Hill project has a nationwide developer who has targeted San Diego as one of the best markets for what they offer, which is a profit for investors, not rental housing.
Great! More housing for people! As a resident of Golden Hill, I fully support this project. More homes mean more opportunities for people to live and thrive. I’m all for it—YIMBY all the way. While I do look out for myself, my faith as a Christian reminds me to love my neighbor, and that means supporting more housing for everyone.
You gonna love the poor neighbor whose life is now ruined by this asinine decision?
Yeah I didn’t think so.
I assume you ride your bicycle everywhere and don’t mind a rent that is higher than that of the units being torn down – those old units didn’t even have their own microwave, washer, dryer, and dishwasher in your studio. A person HAS to have those things. Why, I can even remember when you took your clothes to a small, separate room in your apartment building to wash them. But other people used the same washing machine. Yuck!