By Kate Callen
Golden Hill has long been a community with abundant charm – Wikipedia describes it as “one of San Diego’s most historic and architecturally eclectic zones” – where peaceful people live on quiet streets.
Not anymore.
The saturation density that has engulfed San Diego is hitting Golden Hill especially hard. It’s bad enough that massive ugly projects are disfiguring its picturesque neighborhoods. But developers are deliberately building eyesores at sites most beloved by the community.
That has made the normally peaceful community deeply angry.
Turnout at the May 20 Greater Golden Hill Planning Committee meeting was so large that it had to be moved to a bigger room at the Golden Hill Rec Center. Even then, the crowd filled every seat and spilled out into the hallway.
They came to protest two informational agenda items. The first project will put five homes on canyonland near the popular Grape Street Dog Park. The second will build an 8-story,180-unit tower near Albert Einstein Academy Charter Elementary School.
Furious public comments included, “You’re looking to cannibalize what made this a wonderful neighborhood,” “You are monsters and leeches,” and the ultimate grievance, “We’re starting to look like North Park.”
Too Close to the Dog Park
Paul Benton of Alcorn & Benton Architects presented the first project, a 5-unit complex on an empty site of “dedicated ‘paper’ streets 28th and Fir” with “no formal address, as the streets have not been developed.”
When the audience started booing early in his remarks, Benton remained composed. He doesn’t need the community’s approval – in San Diego, developers can build what they want where they want. Still, he wanted to make a show of good faith.
But his nice guy façade slipped when he hinted in ominous terms that his project could be worse. “I’m offering you a trade-off,” Benton said. “We’re not going to fill the entire canyon. We’re just building on half of it.” He added, “I’m not talking about using the ADU [program] as an excuse to expand to the other side.”
The audience was not mollified. Neighbors were anxious about construction noise and dirt. Hikers wanted to know if popular trails would close. A dog park regular warned that infill tumult “is going to affect our dogs – they will get stressed out.”
Too Close to the School
In boxing terms, Benton was the undercard. The main event was the 8-story bunker that Chicago-based developer CEDARst is going to build at 2935 A Street. It’s the former site of three historic homes that were recently and abruptly destroyed.
CEDARst specializes in colossal box buildings that blight urban landscapes. Their website portfolio, a hall of architectural shame, doesn’t yet include the atrocious Golden Hill project. But it does feature the equally appalling FLATS Hillcrest (pictured at right).
The CEDARst team had a rough night in Golden Hill. The presentation in their laptop didn’t connect with the overhead screen, so they had to hold the laptop up in the air to display project images.
A young CEDARst rep kept telling the crowd he was a native San Diegan. He brought to mind Hallmark movies where a developer’s agent returns to his hometown to oversee the demolition of a landmark diner. Then he falls for the daughter of the diner’s owner, and he figures out a way to stop the project. Golden Hill will not have that happy ending.
The developers looked weary. It’s no fun selling a hideous structure to a community with high architectural design standards. One resident said, “It is horrifying to see what looks like a giant white blob. How on earth did you have the nerve to design that for Golden Hill?”
But aesthetic concerns were just the start of community complaints. They included:
Housing Affordability: Asked about unit pricing, the CEDARst team cited a range of $1,800 for a studio to $2,466 for a two-bedroom. The audience wanted to know more. Then the presenters clarified their answer. Those rents were or the eight “affordable” units (out of 180 units). Rates for 172 units will top off at $4,000 for a two-bedroom.
Parking: Roughly half the new residents will have access to on-site parking for up to $175 a month. The other half will have to find street parking in a neighborhood already crammed with cars. Picture dozens of cars circling around in a hunt for rare spaces. Imagine the buildup of gasoline exhaust.
Solar Panels: One resident asked what would happen if the 8-story building blocked sunlight from his expensive rooftop solar panels. No one had an answer.
Albert Einstein Academy: Every schoolday, cars driven by parents wait in long slow queues to drop off students in the morning and pick them up in the afternoon. Golden Hill residents schedule their car trips to avoid those crunch times. What will happen when hundreds of new residents with cars flock in? And how will faculty teach schoolchildren during months of noisy construction?
In Hindu mythology, a sleeping tiger is a dangerous animal. It appears calm one minute, but it can suddenly attack. The public comment that most incited the audience was, “Our political leaders have failed us.” Note to City Hall: Golden Hill is awake. And it’s really pissed off.
Kate I agree with your goals but boy do I disagree with your arguments to get there. In the last few weeks you’ve defended an article suggesting that new homes shouldn’t be built because of mental health concerns. Now you’re highlight dog stress and complaining – using a variety of terms – about how you think these things shouldn’t be built because you don’t think they look good. These are ludicrous, self-defeating arguments that make us look like the cartoon villains our opponents say we are. I mean the inverse of your argument is I think your house is ugly so we should demolish it. I’m sure you’d disagree with that statement (and i don’t know where you live or what your house looks like) but it’s essentially the same argument you’re making. We need to come up with REAL reasons why more homes are bad backed by studies and actual evidence. We also need to offer solutions instead of incessant complaints. Our movement isn’t growing beyond people who look like us – older homeowners who got lucky to buy in a different time – and we’ve got nothing to offer anyone else. Our strongest arguments are about ADU overreach and breaking rules, not subjective stuff like the things mentioned above. Kate, if you want to lead this crusade, and it’s one I want to win, we need to change our tune otherwise we’re just the NIMBYs they say we are.
ProtectPLNOW1, please take a deep breath and read the article again a little more slowly. This is what news reporting looks like. I’m describing what people said, how they felt, how they appeared. I’m not making arguments. I’m presenting arguments that people have made at a public meeting. I don’t want to lead any crusade. And I certainly don’t want to demolish anyone’s home, however ugly it might look to me.
I have worked in community activism, but honestly, I am much happier reporting on it. I’m grateful Frank has given me this opportunity to practice my craft and exercise my First Amendment rights. After reading your comment, I’m inclined to stick to full-time reporting and leave activism behind. I suspect you would agree.
I think we know each other. If I’m right, you probably have my email address. Drop me a line. I’d like to talk further.
Excellent clarification about what you wrote, Kate. Isn’t it amazing how often people will get angry when all you’ve done is report the facts. The problem is that a professional, like yourself, reports all the facts, even the bad ones.
The only defense is what you used, tell the person to re-read the article and pay attention. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t, I’m sure you’ve more experience than the rest of us with this.
Kate, Thank You. Personally, I don’t respect responders who do not use their name! It’s easy to comment anonymously. :{
ProtectPLNOW1, Kate is one of the best reporters in San Diego. She has reported on the real issues the people of San Diego are facing as we are assaulted by dense housing that is unaffordable, unattractive and unplanned. It’s not complaining about “new homes being built.” It’s expressing concerns about huge developments disproportionately sized for the community or space. It’s shoving 9 ADU’s in a backyard. It’s disregarding impacts on the coast or fire risks. It’s ignoring infrastructure and evacuation needs. Mental health issues related to all of these transgressions are real. Statistics were cited for that argument. People being upset of how this affects dog parks is real. We don’t even take care of the green space we have now. Do you think the developers give a rats about how they impact parks? People being upset it’s destroying the character and charm of their neighborhood is real. As you drive down 5 South and see the largest, ugliest and out of place development they allowed off Imperial Avenue, your sense of connection with reality unravels. What Todd Gloria and our City leaders have allowed under the guise of CCHS is misguided and an abuse of power. It can’t be walked back and will forever change the landscape of this City. What’s currently happening in San Diego is an epic failure. Leave Kate to do her job.
ProtectPLNow turned out to be a long-time troll here at the Rag and has made nasty comments for over a year now under a dozen assumed names. The first time was under “Lilah Bancroft” – and is definitely NOT part of Protect Pt Loma.
We have to ask the question: Has Todd Gloria or Steve Whitburn ever said ‘no’ to these horrendous projects that have been built since 2020.
The YIMBY’s have it wrong, we are not opposed to growth, we are opposed to ugly. The Pepto Dismal pink elephant on Goldfinch and W. Washington is a perfect example of a developer raising their middle finger at the community, taking profits and moving on.
Hillcrest has been ruined with all these ‘ticky tacky boxes
Melvina Reynolds: Little Boxes
Lyrics
Little boxes on the hillside
Little boxes made of ticky-tacky
Little boxes on the hillside
Little boxes all the same
There’s a pink one and a green one
And a blue one and a yellow one
And they’re all made out of ticky-tacky
And they all look just the same
And the people in the houses
All went to the university
Where they were put in boxes
And they came out all the same
And there’s doctors and lawyers
And business executives
And they’re all made out of ticky-tacky
And they all look just the same
And they all play on the golf course
And drink their martinis dry
And they all have pretty children
And the children go to school
And the children go to summer camp
And then to the university
Where they are put in boxes
And they come out all the same
And the boys go into business
And marry and raise a family
In boxes made of ticky-tacky
And they all look just the same
There’s a pink one and a green one
And a blue one and a yellow one
And they’re all made out of ticky-tacky
And they all look just the same
Developers used to, well… live in San Diego County. They did not sit in Chicago on 4 BILLION dollars worth of investments. CEDARst does not think like we do. They hand-pick locations. I think AI picks them. Across the street from schools, near (but not quite in) historic districts, sometimes (although not this time) former gas stations with huge lots. Their website shows their target location. They hit a bulls-eye in Golden Hills. Again. They love San Diego. They find us ungrateful for their interest.
Forget what Kate wrote. Forget the OB Rag. It’s time to throw in the towel and bite the bullet. Admit that we’re powerless and stupid. The politicians and developers are smarter, more powerful and do what’s best.
Take your pick. San Diego is a military town of active duty and veterans. They are locals who truly care about our community. And people like Frank and Kate. They’re different from the Chicago developer who shows up for to build and make a big financial gain.
Is Kate reporting facts for personal gain and financial profit? Is she getting a big payoff from a building lobbying group? Trying to climb a political ladder?
9,500 new housing permits in 2023. 2024 numbers not in yet. 84% are for the top echelon. Homes for people who earn 120+% of Area Median Income. Whatever is getting built in Golden Hill is not affordable for people living on 60% or less AMI.
Since the developer will make a big profit, why not build something that jives with the neighborhood?
Remember Lyndon B. Johnson? When running for reelection, he promised the American people that he would be a dove and get us out of Vietnam. He got elected and went full hawk. Remember 4 kids got shot to death at Kent State for opposing the war.
The only equipment the guardsmen had to disperse demonstrators that day were M1 Garand rifles loaded with .30-06 FMJ ammunition, 12 Ga. pump shotguns, bayonets, and CS gas grenades. They attacked the unarmed crowd with real bullets and weapons.
Kate’s not hurting Golden Hill with overdevelopment, beautiful or ugly. She’s telling it like it is. What other news service is covering these meetings? Will the developer and the DSD department answer our “w” questions?
im against this but atleast our city can get extra property tax money because the properties will get reassessed
Oh yeah, and then the cohorts at the city look good reducing some meaningful less fee they jacked up to quash a deficit by not cutting staff. Oh yeah, more taxes. We don’t care who.
As a happy Golden Hill resident who looks forward to his daily dog walks through the neighborhood, sends his kids to Golden Hill schools, supports Golden Hill small businesses on a daily basis, plans gatherings with friends at Golden Hill park and is proud to have met some of the nicest people in the world in this beautiful neighborhood, I find this article both hysterical and offensive.
Golden Hill is beautiful. It remains beautiful today. It is not under any threat of not being beautiful, with or without the small amount of new development under construction.
We have seen a handful of new projects in the last five years. They have not had any negative impact on the neighborhood. They are not ugly. They are not colossal. The new residents are the same kind neighbors and friends who have always lived here, only now there are more of them.
My neighbors who oppose these projects are entitled to their opinion. We disagree, and that’s fine. The overwhelming majority of my neighbors who did not care enough to attend this meeting have also spoken. The many friends who I speak to regularly who enthusiastically welcome these projects are also entitled to their opinion.
Golden Hill’s abundant charm is not remotely under threat.
I’m glad that you feel so happy. You make a series of claims that you haven’t substantiated. How do you know these projects haven’t had any negative impact? Just curious: how did you poll your neighbors? The meeting was packed, in case you didn’t actually read the article. Perhaps you should become more aware of how many of your neighbors feel.
Tell me what you think is unsubstantiated. I said the overwhelming majority of my neighbors did not attend the meeting. Despite the large crowd, that is obviously true, an estimated 15,000 people live in Golden Hill. I said that my friends who I speak to regularly welcome these projects, which says nothing about their share of the community (unlike your website, I recognize that confirmation bias exists).
My conclusionn that there have not been any negative impacts is driven by the same subjective determination as the people insisting otherwise. I live one block from the “Praise the Healers” building and on the same block as the proposed project. Parking is abundant. Traffic is nonexistent. The walkable neighborhood is vibrant and beautiful, just as we like it.
When one person – you – claim there’s no negative impacts vs. 150 of your neighbors who say there are — that’s more than subjective bias. When a planning group meeting has standing room only attendance, that says much more than your subjective feeling. I’ve driven thru that neighborhood, and I know there’s traffic, and a lot of it. Parking is not abundant near businesses — as I’ve had to search for parking when I’m in the business area. And yes, we agree, parts of it are walkable –and it is vibrant. Just how beautiful the future is, is up for debate. Citing just your friends as proof of something is not sufficient.
I agree Frank, citing just your friends as proof of something is not sufficient. That’s why people shouldn’t listen to this website to get an understanding of what San Diego feels like in total, not just the same 12 people who comment here on behalf of 3.3 million. In fact let’s look at recent election results to get an actual understanding of where San Diego stands –
Voters supported – Todd Gloria, Sean Elo Rivera, Steven Whitburn, Jen Campbell, Midway height limit raise (twice), residential trash pick up fees.
Voters did not support – Barbara Bry, Terry Hoskins, Mandy Havlik, Lori Saldana, keeping the 30 foot height limit (twice), keeping trash free for homeowners, Kate Callen ( who’s OB Rag style of policy points finished a distant 3rd in the recent primary).
So when you WILL you realize you’re out of touch with residents of San Diego? When will YOU stop telling people their lived experience is incorrect? When will YOU stop believing you’re always right when you’re constantly wrong? Why does Bonnie Kutch get to speak for University City, Paul Kreuger for Talmadge, Lisa Mortensen for Mission Hills, Trudy Grundland for Birdrock and you for Lemon Grove when this guy can’t speak for his community in your eyes? Why do 45 people (when there were 30 in the photo) count as a “historic” meeting when it’s the same people who are always complaining? Frank you’ve grown so reactionary you’re not just a NIMBY you’re a NITGBY – not in that guy’s backyard too!
You have no constituency beyond the 30 same people who dredge up the same complaints only to reveal, when given everything they want around housing (like at Famosa Canyon, exactly the kind of development you all say you want and yet this website and editors have said no to countless times) that actually the only thing you care about is no new homes. Since 2018 you’ve held never ending events fighting more homes but never held a rally in support of a new one. You got yours, everyone else can go screw themselves.
You guys are losers – literally and at the ballot box. Keep playing in your own safe space here, just like Trump supporters and climate change deniers it’s easier to wave away criticism in screeds of “bias” than it is to recognize you’re wrong.
Dear readers: here’s an absolute curmudgeon, whose lengthy rant tries to take everything the Rag says and does and its supporters and writers to task; they did their homework; they’ve dredged up stuff from 7 years ago and attempt to smear everyone who’s active around here. They hide behind their fake title “ProtectPLNOW1” and simply blast us, me personally and Kate,and Mandy, and Bonnie, and Paul, Trudy, Lisa. Wow. They’re obvious Gloria supporters and then even try to equate us with Trump supporters and even climate deniers. It’s amazing their headset.
I won’t respond to this dribble but want to allow our readers and supporters to check out the reactionaries out there who oppose what we’re doing, oblivious to the 1,500 to 2,500 daily Rag readers and to the thousands of dollars we raise every summer, and to the issues we promote or shine the spotlight on. That’s right, we’re all losers, we only have the 30 same people and have not won anybody at the ballot box. They really want to shut us up, don’t they, bottomline. We obviously challenge their own narrow narrative – and they just can’t stand it that someone disagrees with their views of San Diego and the world, apparently.
I really hope somebody sane responds to this absolute crapola. I don’t have the time or energy.
I just figured out who this is; it’s Lilah Bancroft — the same troll that has made really crappy comments here under at least 10 different names. They’re not who they say they are, that’s for sure. They’ve been trolling the Rag at least since August 2024 under the following different names: PLMiddleman, Paul Anderson, Amelia Anderson, SouthParkWill, Will McDowell, Shelly OB, PointMannJF13, John Farley, Carol Ann and now ProtectPLNow. – Wow; he or she has spent so much time going after us that they don’t have a life. It’s incredible that someone would go to such a length to diss us. Well there ya go.
The troll began in August 2024 under the name Lilah Bancroft when we published articles critical of the “Property Bros” who wanted to make gobs of money from that Point Loma Ave project that was blocked by the SD Housing Commission.
So Protect PL Now and to hell with the rest of us? Is that what you are saying?
We would respect your argument if you would stop the name-calling and ranting. There’s a great book that I highly recommend: Dale Carnegy’s How to win friends and influence enemies. Read that and then we could have an enriching ‘two-way’ conversation. Otherwise I have no interest in engaging in a shouting match. I choose a more productive use of my time.
Good luck to you!
Lisa M – turns out this is a troll who has nothing to do with Pt Loma but who has been trolling the Rag for over a year ever since we exposed the “Property Bros” who wanted to only make $$ off of their proposed 20 ADUs in south OB.
Mark Streater, you have your friends; other people have friends also. All of the people who showed up at the meeting have friends. And their friends have friends. The people there were there to tell CEDARst that eight stories is too much in that location. It is “Golden Hills” or “Golden Hill” (different argument) for a reason. Kate told you: The Tiger is waking up and it is growling. It is hungry.
When people respond to my posts with personal rancor expressed in shrill tones, I feel a sense of satisfaction, because it means I hit the mark.
Dear Naysayers: I just want affordable housing for people who live on meager incomes. The other arguments are tit for tat. So, after all is said and done with the new buildings, what’s the net result of “affordable” units for folks living on less than $68K?
If the facts are great, I’ll stop bitchin’. 5/23/25
I’m a San Diego native and I’ve lived in Golden Hill for over six years. I serve on the Greater Golden Hill Planning Committee. Like many of you, I love this neighborhood- its history, walkability, architecture, and strong sense of community. That’s why I live here – and also why I believe more people should be able to live here too.
That’s why I found your reporting so frustrating. Frankly, it feels slimy and disingenuous. Like the CBS segment, your coverage amplified only the loudest voices – primarily a vocal group of homeowners with time on their hands – and ignored others in the room. Multiple board members, myself included, expressed support for new housing, reduced parking minimums, and thoughtful density tied to transit. None of that was reflected in the article.
Without outing myself completely, I’ll add this: I live in a housing complex built in the past decade – something that, at the time, probably drew accusations of “ruining the neighborhood.” I often wonder if there were meetings just like this one, where neighbors railed against the very building I now call home.
The piece could have been much more impactful if it had included the full story. Yes, some neighbors are angry. That’s their right. But there were also residents – and board members – who spoke in favor of welcoming new neighbors, who see development as part of a thriving, growing city, and who believe that housing is a right, not a privilege reserved for those who arrived first or own the most.
And regarding the traffic around Albert Einstein Elementary, let’s be honest. AEE is a CHARTER school, and many (if not most??) of its families drive in from across the county. As someone who primarily walks and bikes, I’ve witnessed countless examples of pickup-time gridlock, reckless driving, drivers parking ON crosswalks and bike lanes, and total disregard for the neighborhood and those who live here. If we’re going to talk about strain on local infrastructure, let’s be honest about who is causing it.
Saying no to new housing in Golden Hill doesn’t stop people from moving here. It just makes the neighborhood less affordable, drives longer commutes, and worsens sprawl, traffic, emissions, and displacement. If we’re serious about equity or climate action, we can’t keep defaulting to “not here” every time new housing is proposed.
GHS-
I need to begin by saying –
I respect your opinion. But Kate is right on the money with her articles
I have lived in Golden Hill for close to 60 years; was part of the GH citizens patrol for many, many years and helped clean ip both GH and SP of many problems the area had; served on GHPC years ago, served on the Einstein Academies board when no GH/SP neighbor knew about or wanted it to serve on it; worked as youth soccer coach for over 20 years at GH rec center and Morley field and have worked on community projects – ranging from Barrio Logan to North Park. In addition – I have family members who have lived in GH for more than 50 years
Because of my unique background and qualifications – I support the Kate’s and the OB rag’s articles. Kate – please continue with your wonderful articles. Thank you
Golden Hill Res: Nobody is saying no new housing, Einstein Elementary inherently has drop-off, pick-up vehicle traffic – one of the issues an 8-story, 181 unit development will exacerbate. An 8-story building in place of three craftsman homes does worsen downtown sprawl, traffic, emissions. $1800 for a studio with an extra fee for a parking space is not advancing affordability. Golden Hill and South Park are desirable now, coming after decades of economic slide, due to adherence of the careful provisions of the Golden Hill Community Plan. Gloria and his tools in the Planning Dept. have made up their Complete Communities and SDA parameters in spite of California law (including what is and is not a Transit Priority Area) – clearly creating unintended consequences and neighborhood upheaval. This is predatory exploitive capitalism, and clearly no respect given to the people who live in the community.
FYI – Golden Hill Community Plan Land Use goals:
Historic character and scale of single-family and lower density residential neighborhoods retained.
Multifamily development that enhances its surrounding neighborhood and is sensitive to historic character and scale where present
Design new residential development to complement the scale and architecture of other buildings within the same block. Where there is a mix of styles on the same block, maintain any shared characteristics such as setbacks, heights, rooflines and massing.
New doesn’t have to be 8 stories tall and 180 units, up to 305 eventually with sewer lines the same as 3 houses. And water lines. And Affordable is a floating word for developers.