Point Loma Residents Protest Proposed Development at 1004 Rosecrans

Dozens of Point Lomans protested in front of 1004 Rosecrans on Saturday, March 29, to show their opposition to the proposed development of 56 units and a 4-story complex at that site.

Called by Protect Point Loma, a newly formed nonprofit established to oppose the development, the demonstration was on the sidewalks of the busy Point Loma Village street corner in front of the housing development site being leased by a rental car agency. Many carried “No on 1004 Rosecrans” yard signs.

As proposed, the project would include 56 units (8 affordable) plus 45 basement garage spaces with 1,779 square feet of commercial space with no lot line or street setbacks. The site previously was a gas station, another concern about possible lingering environmental contamination. The site would be immediately adjacent to Cabrillo Elementary School and directly across from Point Loma Assembly at 3035 Talbot St.

Point Loma resident Sally Bixler was there and was quoted by the Beacon:

“We’re small but mighty at the moment – but we’re growing. This (project) started as being 14 units, and the City said, ‘Oh no, you can do much more than that because you can qualify for Complete Communities.’ So now we have 56 units. And it’s a ruse that eight units are affordable.”

One of the leaders of the movement against the project is Eric Law, and he told the Beacon:

The developers “Want to put 56 units on a lot that’s zoned for 14, and because they want to build a four-story structure that dwarfs the most historical building on Point Loma (Jennings House eatery next to the project). That’s just insane to think about. You’re going to dump over 100 people here, with all their vehicles; there’s no parking. There’s a drop-off for kids twice a day (at Cabrillo Elementary).

“There’s a commute to Naval Base Point Loma with thousands of people going through here twice a day. And there’s no consideration by the City to do anything. They’re quite happy to proceed ministerially with no public review whatsoever. They’ve taken us (public) out of the loop.”

The proposed project is on the books because of the City’s Complete Communities program. Activist Margaret Virissimo said: “It’s the shadiness of Complete Communities that bypasses the Coastal Commission and local planning boards. Those community conversations are being lost with a project this large. This Complete Communities is the problem because it’s so vague.”