‘The Voices — and Votes of Local Residents Matter’

By Lynne Miller

“We need more housing in San Diego.” This is an opinion, not a fact. Where this opinion originated matters. If this opinion originated and was promoted by state and local governments then it is important to know why the state came to this conclusion and how it will benefit government.

Homelessness was probably a factor, And homelessness is a complicated issue, unfortunately involving addiction and mental illness as well as unemployment.

As I look at the formula for qualifying for high density homes, I see that the motivation and the promotion could be based on profit, and revenue for government, rather than solutions to help the homeless.

I admit, I am suspect of government opinions that drive agenda. In my humble opinion, the government opinion that we need more housing and that we need high density housing could be a springboard to ensure that there are agendas such as less cars, more public transit and bikes, and less support of single-family zoning.

While all of these concerns could be Noble issues, compassionate in their origins, they could also be driven by the collaborative efforts of corrupt government and profit with big money corporations.

Hidden by the cloak of belief that government knows best, it looks like California’s local and state governments are usurping the rights and voices of citizens. The local government has created “Complete Communities Housing Solutions” and new ADU permitting in order to act upon their opinion that high density housing is great for our city.

Mayor Gloria is hiding real time construction through bureaucratic deception. Try to find out about a project coming to your neighborhood. Try to find out about that 30 day rush to build. Try to find out who is building. Try to get the city to help you unravel the mysteries of the next large, housing development, i.e. apartment building in your area.

The mayor and the council are changing the game by changing the rules right in the middle of the game and the game is your life. By the time local residents find out about the 23 story tower and Pacific Beach or 56 units in point Loma all of the paperwork and the planning and the permitting has already happened.

Remember, this is all based on an opinion that we need more housing. My opinion is that the state and local opinion is not the opinion of the citizens of San Diego, or California. The opinion has some strange factors that should have been considered; people are leaving the Golden State rather than coming to the Golden State and the people who are coming to the Golden State may be coming because we are a sanctuary state or because our borders are open — this is complicated!

The opinion of local residents matters. The Voice of local residents matters. The votes of local residents matter so be sure and VOTE out those people who seem to be intent on destroying the quality of life in the city of San Diego.