Key Committee Moves Historic ‘Preservation’ Package to Full City Council

Land Use and Housing Committee Meeting: Preservation and Progress Package A Approved to Move Forward for Review by the Full City Council

By South OB Girl

On Wednesday January 14, the Preservation and Progress Package A went before the San Diego City Council Land Use and Housing Committee.  Package A involves controversial proposals regarding preserving and protecting San Diego’s historic housing ideals and districts. Council Member Sean Elo-Rivera was absent.  This left a LUH Committee of three: Committee Chair Kent Lee and committee members Stephen Whitburn, and  Vivian Moreno.

There were 49 speakers in Council Chambers downtown –a mix of those in favor and those opposed, and many in attendance ceded minutes to others who were speaking.  Bruce and Alana Coons spoke, representing Save Our Heritage Organization (SOHO).  Mission Hills Heritage also spoke, as did local OBceans including Kathy Blavatt, Mercy Baron and Coastal Caretakers.

Kathy, who has written a number of books about Ocean Beach history, described some of the community’s history which has spanned over a century.  Coastal Caretakers voiced concern about the removal of certain protections.  Only Tyler M. from the Ocean Beach Planning Board spoke  — in favor of Package A.  OB Planning Board Chair Andrea Schageter was unable to attend today’s  meeting.  As is commonly known to many, Tyler M. is a developer himself and supports pro-development policies.  After in person public comments were presented, 6 speakers spoke via Zoom, again a mix of those in favor and those opposed.

There was a long, noticeable silence when Kent Lee opened the issue up to his fellow committee members for discussion and a motion.  Dead silence.  Neither Whitburn nor Moreno eagerly ended the silence, and Lee asked that Whitburn be the first to speak. And Whitburn did make a motion to move Package A forward for consideration by the full City Council with a stipulation that the City evaluate Package A and assess how it is being applied in the future.  Both Lee and Moreno voted “Yes”.

The committee’s vote was a sweet song for the ears of the developers and were words of encouragement that they will soon be able to build more and build bigger in Ocean Beach. But the preservation community and the environmentalists are not done yet, even though this vote stomped on policies that they aim to protect.

Here’s an afterthought: the very name of the committee left OBceans contemplating a few things.   Perhaps it would be more beneficial to have a Land Use Committee separate from a Housing Committee?  Given the unique landscape and geography of San Diego, perhaps a separate committee for land use and a separate committee for housing would be beneficial heading into 2026.  With separate committees addressing housing, homelessness, and land use, a Land Use Committee could be devoted to our beaches, mesas, hills, and valleys.