Couple Hundred Local Residents and Supporters at Town-hall Meeting at Pt Loma Assembly
By Jillian Butler
A proposed 56-unit apartment complex at 1004 Rosecrans has sparked fierce opposition from Point Loma residents, who say the project violates zoning rules, threatens public health, and endangers the neighborhood’s historic character.With residents of other San Diego neighborhoods faced by the same issue, and former Coronado Mayor turned policy advocate Richard Bailey given a platform, this meeting of a couple hundred folks at the Point Loma Assembly on Tuesday, September 30 served as a rallying cry to fight for the interests of the citizenry and against the push of shadowy developers and their political backers.
Protect Point Loma is a grassroots 501c4 organization which aims to protect the often overlooked interests of Peninsula residents and preserve the rich history and heritage of the Point Loma area. Their mission is “making certain that our community projects are built with responsible guidelines and community input.”
Additionally, Protect Point Loma was integral in the formation of the San Diego Community Coalition, which addresses two imperative issues faced by Point Lomans and Obceans: massive overbuilding in residential areas and City Hall’s disrespect for the public. Coalition members from both San Diego and Golden Hill attended to provide updates about the struggles they are facing with developers, and to reiterate that “apartment developments are a San Diego wide issue.”
The currently proposed apartment building at 1004 Rosecrans Street — initially zoned for only 14 units — would boast an entire 56 units. Eight of these units would be 412 square foot low-mid income housing spaces, with the rest being priced for regular income. Despite there being commercial parking in the underground level, this complex would provide no resident parking. An influx of cars on a two lane road with already limited parking will only congest the area. A concerned Point Loma resident who requested to remain off the record told me, “this complex would completely cut the Point off from the rest of San Diego.”
Additionally, the basement parking for this complex would be excavated on a hazardous waste site, exposing those nearby to known carcinogens. With close proximity to Cabrillo Elementary School, this could be a health crisis waiting to happen. One concerned citizen expounded upon the gravity of the situation, asserting: “the developers are coming for Point Loma and the way of life that you and your families have enjoyed for generations.”
Additionally, this complex would block views including the historical Jennings House. With some Point Loma families having a presence here since Portuguese whalers arrived in the late 19th century, large-scale developments popping up in Point Loma are an existential threat to a centuries-long tradition.
Another concern is the setting of a frightening precedence for San Diego as a whole. This building proposal blatantly flouts zoning regulations and the 30-foot height limit. If Peninsula residents concede without a fight, developers and their political backers will only see this as a green light to continue to gut San Diego in the name of “progress”. One board member made it clear: “the current battle is for 1004 Rosecrans. You can be assured that the developers and their political allies are watching.”
The situation is dire, but Protect Point Loma has power players on their side. One is the lawyer, Everett Delano. Taking on many cases serving the greater good of San Diego, with clients ranging from Homeowner’s Associations to nonprofits, Delano is known as a “bulldog”. He sympathizes with Protect Point Loma, claiming that “Mayor Gloria has sidelined us on a lot of things.” Another is Bailey, the policy advocate, who pushes for “common-sense policy over politics” while potentially polishing off his running shoes. He greeted the crowd by telling them that, “none of us should have to be here tonight,” insinuating this development was another symptom of Mayor Todd Gloria’s failings as an elected official.
The consequences of inactions are clear. As one board member asserted: “I don’t want our neighborhood to look like Little Italy or Banker’s Hill and that is what is coming if we do not fight this thing.”
Protect Point Loma’s lawsuit is moving forward, with residents vowing to keep fighting. For many, the battle over 1004 Rosecrans is about more than one project — it’s a test case for how San Diego will balance growth and community character in the years ahead.
Thank you so much, Jillian, for attending this event and sharing your takeaways with the larger community. Your article was very thorough, passionate and helpful. If anyone is interested in becoming more involved, please contact Protect Point Loma (https://protectpointloma.com/).
What does “some Point Loma families having a presence here since Portuguese whalers arrived in the late 19th century” have to do with building needed housing?
Why is preserving views more important than addressing our housing crisis?
How is requiring expensive off-street parking compatible with making new housing more affordable?
Dear readers: this is Paul Jamason, a leading local YIMBY voice and he’s pushing back. He’s willing to mow down traditional neighborhoods that have been in Point Loma for decades, a century like Roseville in the name of profits masquerading as concerns for “affordable housing.” Paul, for the millionth time, we don’t have a housing crisis. We have an affordable housing crisis.
And in your relentless campaign to push people out of their cars BEFORE there is an optional infrastructure, Paul, allows you to disparage the need for parking by the people who would be moving into affordable housing.
The building before us here calls for 56 units, not family-sized, not affordable with NO Parking. If a developer is going to make millions, then they must provide needed amenities, like parking. If they can’t, either redesign back to the original zoning for 14 units, or move along.
Hey Paul: Why don’t you just move to LA , Orange County, or some other formerly nice area that has been ruined by over densification and out of control development? Is your end goal to make San Diego an ugly, crappy place, so that people will no longer want to live or visit here? Just wondering.
Thank you Frank. You are spot on!