By Jillian Butler
On the evening of Thursday January 15, 2026, the Peninsula Community Planning Board (PCPB) hosted its first meeting of the new year. While the meeting followed a standard agenda, public concern over a proposed coastal development quickly emerged as the dominant issue of the night.
Hosted in the usual meeting location of the Point Loma Hervey Library, the meeting was small with less than 50 in attendance. Chairperson Eric Law was away traveling on business, so vice-chair Mandy Havlik presided. Additionally, several government, agency, and community representatives were not present.
The meeting began with its general call to order, agenda approval, approval of minutes, and board officer reports. Following this introduction the board heard non-agenda comments.
Ronald Duran started with the first comment, asking the PCPB to aid in opposing a coastal development project on Guizot street. Mr. Duran voiced his concerns about the developer using provisions from California Senate Bill 9 to purchase and demolish a single family home, split a .16 acre lot, and build two houses each with attached ADUs. Where one home previously stood, now four units would exist. At the moment, tenants live in the single family home, rendering the property ineligible for SB 9. Duran’s son requested the city get involved. The city has reached out to the developer.
There are currently a major developer and two management companies registered at this address. Duran argues that SB 9 does not override the Coastal Act voter approval. He then urged the board to send in a letter requesting denial based on current tenant residency, stating the urgency: “if it can happen here, it can happen on your block.” Duran is a third generation resident of the region. Despite submitting a complaint, he has not heard back from the project manager. He emphasized that there were minimal details put into the plan when the property entered the rental market, including no clear parking strategy.
Lifetime Ocean Beach resident Cliff Anderson took the floor next. Anderson backed Duran in speaking out against the Guizot development, saying that it would impact parking for at least half a mile in every direction. Speaking on ADU laws, he argued, “what we are not for is a developer coming in and using the laws that are supposed to help resident homeowners…using that to destroy our neighborhoods.”
Another man took the floor, his fear of the changes in El Cajon that happened in the 1990s and occurring in the Peninsula Community if developers continue to develop apartments in the place of single family homes, arguing, “that was not the type of community that you want to raise a family in.” He also emphasized concerns on parking.
Several other residents spoke, reinforcing their disdain for ADUs and shady developments. An overarching theme was fear of how it would impact the uniquely welcoming community of the Peninsula region. One woman argued that developments are turning into “venues for large party gatherings that are difficult to reason with”, referring to the smattering of party pads in the Ocean Beach and Point Loma area. Others fear out-of-state developers are eyeing property in San Diego.
Additionally, meeting members voted for candidates to fill a vacant board seat. John, a former developer now critical of shady developments, won the seat.
The Western Division representative of the San Diego Police spoke and brought good news. Though the 2025 crime statistics are still being published, crime appears to be on an overall downwards trajectory. Homicide is down by 17%. High clearance rate burglaries are down by 23% and vehicular deaths are down by 22%. There has also been an increase in citation for van-lifers, opening up spots at Dusty Rhodes Park– a point of issue for many Peninsula residents.
Great article. Minor typo- 0.16 lot, not 1.6. Glad this is getting the attention it deserves!
I heard that a group of neighbors formed an association and retained Everett Delano, the same lawyer that stopped the Midway Rising and the PB monstrosity. Would love to see the City get sued for ignoring their own renter protections prohibiting a lot split or multiple dwelling conversion since it would involve the whole or partial demolition of a dwelling unit that had a tenant in the last 3 years.
Its crazy that after two month, and the City spending considerable time and effort to approve the project, the project manager didn’t have the required DS-3063 on file from the builder/owner. That form clearly states the eligibility requirements. It wasn’t until after a citizen requested the form from the project manager that the City of San Diego asked the applicant for the form!
Eco Homebuilders Inc. and the owner (CEO of Eco Homebuilders Inc.) should be charged with fraud if they backdate the form or continue to pursue the lot split.
We must stop developers and corporations from destroying our single-family coastal neighborhoods.
Mandy Havlik seemed onboard. I hope she champions their request for help.