At its meeting on Tuesday, January 28, the Community Planners Committee (CPC) voted 23 to 3 in favor of writing a formal recommendation to the City of San Diego calling for an emergency moratorium on all infill construction projects in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ) that more than double dwelling unit density until comprehensive risk assessments and mitigation measures are completed.
The proposal was prepared and presented by Paul Coogan, Chair of the Normal Heights Community Planning Group and Secretary of the Community Planners Committee. He also serves as Secretary of Normal Heights for Smart Growth.
The CPC’s decision was influenced by growing concerns over the increasing threat of wildfires in urban areas, citing recent devastating fires such as the Pacific Palisades and Eaton Fires, which illustrate the extreme danger of wildfires spreading in densely populated communities. The committee also considered the vulnerabilities of San Diego’s aging infrastructure, limited evacuation routes, and a significant funding gap in fire prevention resources.
The recommendation now moves to City officials for review and potential action. If adopted, it would temporarily halt high-density infill construction in wildfire-prone zones, such as University City, while the City conducts a thorough assessment of evacuation planning, firebreak management, and emergency response capabilities.
You may view the slide presentation HERE. We will notify you of the timeline for the City’s approval and hopeful acceptance of this proposal at a later date, as well as let you know how and when to take action to express your support of it to city officials.
A 17-unit accessory dwelling unit bonus program project is being built on Almayo Avenue in Clairemont. The original lot housed a 1,018-square-foot single-family home.
Welcome Motion by District 4 Council Member Sets Stage for Possible Repeal of ADU Density Bonus Program
In more encouraging news, San Diego might roll back or eliminate a controversial city incentive that allows the owner of a single-family lot to build dozens of backyard apartments on it.
Arguing the incentive is damaging quality of life and impeding safety in neighborhoods across San Diego, council members unanimously directed city planners during the January 28th City Council meeting to bring forward legislation that could kill the incentive.
“We must pause this program and address all unintended consequences and negative impacts that are affecting communities citywide,” said District 4 Councilmember Henry Foster III, who represents Encanto and other parts of southeastern San Diego. “These provisions go way beyond state regulations and are doing more harm than good. The current ADU Density Bonus Program, as implemented, is destroying community character, impacting for-sale opportunities and potentially creating unsafe conditions.”
Critics have said San Diego’s ADU programs are making previously quiet neighborhoods more crowded, creating parking problems and putting more pressure on neighborhood libraries, parks and other amenities without paying to upgrade them.
Thousands of residents across San Diego have been fighting back against the program since its inception in 2020. With the explosion of Bonus ADU projects in Encanto—with over 40 ADUs on some properties—this pushback came to a head at Tuesday’s Council meeting.
Councilmember Raul Campillo indicated he was likely to join Foster and Councilmember Jen Campbell in supporting a major rollback. We urge you to send an email to District 6 Councilmember Kent Lee to urge him to do the same.
Help Shape the City’s Budget by Attending One of Four Town Hall Meetings
Now that Measure E has failed, community leaders in every city council district have collaborated with the City of San Diego’s Independent Budget Analyst (IBA) to host four important interactive town hall meetings designed to provide residents with the opportunity to ask questions and share their input directly with the city. Meeting dates are as follows:
Saturday, February 8th, 11 a.m. to 1 pm. – Mission Hills Library, 215 W. Washington St., San Diego, CA 92103
Thursday, February 13th, 6 to 8 p.m. – Porter Elementary School North Campus Auditorium, 445 S. 47th st., San Diego, CA 92113
Saturday, February 15th, 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. – Mission Valley Library, 2123 Fenton Parkway, San Diego, CA 92108
Thursday, February 20th, 6 to 8 p.m. – Mira Mesa Senior Center, 8460 Mira Mesa Blvd., San Diego, CA 92126
From UC Peeps email newsletter
And the bus stop is .7 mile away. Where are all those cars going to park? Thanks Mayor Toad!