by Kate Callen and Paul Krueger / Times of San Diego / April 30, 2025
The San Diego Community Coalition will make its public debut May 1 by addressing the San Diego Planning Commission when it discusses proposed changes to the controversial “Bonus ADU” ordinance.
The coalition is a citywide network of neighborhood activists focused on two interconnected issues:
Overbuilding in residential neighborhoods — from mid-rise towers to giant multi-unit ADU complexes — which erodes our urban infrastructure and produces minimal affordable housing.
City Hall’s disrespect for constituents, its refusal to engage the public in open dialogue, and its suppression of community planning groups.
So far, the coalition includes activist leaders in 15 communities: Bay Ho, City Heights, Clairemont, College Area, Encanto, Golden Hill, Linda Vista, Middletown, Mission Hills, North Park, Ocean Beach, Point Loma, Pacific Beach, Talmadge and University City.
The network will empower these leaders to mobilize residents and business owners in their individual communities, turn out large numbers at public meetings, and flood city offices with constituent messages.
The group’s plans include large public rallies at the sites of mega-projects that exemplify how politicians, developers, and corporate investors are colluding to plunder San Diego neighborhoods.
The coalition will have a special focus on two critical issues:
Family Housing: The most pressing housing problem in San Diego by far is the appalling lack of homes for families, especially working families with limited resources. Almost all the rental units produced by the Complete Communities program are unaffordable studios and small one-bedroom apartments.
Fire Safety: The construction of multi-unit complexes with very few or very small setbacks in high-fire zones puts San Diegans at risk for wildfire disasters when residents in saturated housing areas cannot evacuate safely.
The demographic reach of the coalition is bracketed by the two communities that have energized the rest of San Diego.
In 2021, residents of Talmadge who were alarmed over the construction of a multi-unit ADU with no parking, no yard space, and limited set backs formed Neighbors for a Better San Diego. Four years later, the non-profit group has become a powerful engine for educating the public about ADU excesses and for rallying support for sustainable land use policies.
This year, residents of Encanto fought back against the notorious Footnote 7 that sought to cram extremely dense construction into their underserved community. At a remarkable March 4 council meeting, Neighbors for Encanto were joined by hundreds of activists from across the city in a demonstration of united opposition to Footnote 7 and the “Bonus ADU” ordinance.
Faced with the collective anger of these unified neighborhoods and the courageous advocacy of District 4 Councilmember Henry L. Foster III, the council took the surprise step of considering serious reform to the Bonus ADU program.
That was a turning point. The new coalition will build on that momentum.
As current elected officials serve out their lame-duck terms and candidates emerge to run for their seats, the coalition will demonstrate that when the people of San Diego join forces, they can be more powerful than big donors, lobbyists, and special interest groups.
Kate Callen is a former chair of the North Park Planning Committee. Paul Krueger is a founding member of Neighbors For A Better San Diego
I’d like to add another entity that is speaking against the city’s destructive building.
It is SOHO. Apparently, the city wants to have THE SAY of whether or not a property could be declared historic. This is clearly a CONFLICT OF INTEREST because the city would rather turn properties over to developers than losing possible property tax revenue from historical designation and Mills Act. This perceived “loss of property tax revenue” is minimal in actuality. Additionally, SOHO believes that historically designated housing can also be affordable housing.
I agree with the footnote that Save Our Heritage Organisation (SOHO) should be included in the new City-wide coalition because SOHO members draw from all neighborhoods, including La Jolla where I live. And yes, I speak from over 50-years experience that those older houses were far better built with Redwood framing and 50 to 125 years for the fire-resistant wall stucco to cure. Older houses are more likely to be paid off, have lower property taxes, and are far more affordable for owners to rent lower and still make a good income. The Mills Act further reduces monthly costs, enabling more reduction in rent should the owner elect to do so. But more to the point, each old house designated historical drives up the value of the neighborhood and as those houses surrounding the Designated sell off, the State, County, and City gain increased property tax money that more than cancels out the individual loss to the City. All these factors work together to create affordable housing for young families, beginning to work in their careers, and for children to live in safe communities. So yes, invite SOHO to join the coalition.
Thank you for your eloquent description! Well said!
Ron May includes what is probably THE key reason certain decision makers are seeking to change the city’s historic preservation codes as well as the Mills Act: “Older houses are more likely to … have lower property taxes,….”
Judy Swink missed my point about the Halo Effect of historical designation driving property values surrounding the designated houses to higher value and as those sell, there will be higher property taxes reaped by the State of California, County of San Diego, and City of San Diego that cancel out the loss of the single designated house. The net result is there is more land to be taxed at the higher rate and that means more taxes, not less.
Sorry it’s taken this long to respond: SOHO’s Board of Directors has voted to join the SD Community Coalition. Bruce and Alana Coons received a warm welcome at the Coalition’s May 10 meeting, and Board VP David Swarens (Golden Hill ) was one of the first community leaders to support the Coalition. Given SOHO’s long and distinguished history of civic leadership in San Diego, the group’s endorsement is incredibly important.