The San Diego Community Coalition publishes this email bulletin to keep our members and the public informed about important Council and Planning Commission hearings and other city public meetings.
Monday, February 23: City Council, 10:00 a.m.
Items 201, 202: Convention Center Expenditures
Why it matters: After a court ruling cleared the way for the City to start collecting higher transient-occupancy taxes under Measure C, a spigot of money is opening to fund Convention Center upgrades. Given the City’s recent history of financial mismanagement, these new allocations deserve scrutiny.
Tuesday, February 24: City Council, 10:00 a.m.
Items 54, 55, 56, 57: Pure Water Program Expenditures
Why it matters: As this multi-billion-dollar project inches forward, questions have been raised about investing tax dollars in Phase 2. In a September 2025 Voice of San Diego op-ed,SD County Water Authority Board member Jim Madaffer wrote, “Before rushing into Pure Water Phase 2 — another $4 billion commitment — policymakers should pause. They should reevaluate projected production volumes …and ask whether additional capacity is needed. … Launching Pure Water Phase 2 without a clear affordability plan risks overburdening families and businesses.”
Tuesday, February 24: City Council, 2:00 p.m.
Item 332: Preservation and Progress Package A — includes OB Emerging Cottage Historic District
Why it matters: This push to turbo-charge development by weakening historical preservation standards takes special aim at Ocean Beach. The staff report states that “the proposed amendment clearly provides that Complete Communities Housing Solutions can be utilized on properties within the boundaries of the Ocean Beach Cottage Emerging Historical District … if the property is not a contributing resource to the district.” Complete Communities allows builders to circumvent long-standing guardrails to preserve community heritage and prevent rampant overgrowth.
When the Planning Commission voted 5-0 last August to block a 20-unit, three-story tower on Point Loma Avenue, Commissioner Ted Miyahara said, “I see the municipal code as being pretty clear. The Complete Communities regulations do not apply to developments located in a designated historic district.” Pro-density Commissioner Matthew Boomhower responded by advising the City to “take this as an opportunity to change the municipal code.”
For more information: “Why Ocean Beach Needs to Turn Out February 24 at City Hall,”
Wednesday, February 25: Special Rules Committee Meeting, 9:00 a.m.
Item 5: Empty Homes Tax Ballot Measure Proposal By Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera
Why it matters: This is Act II of a defeated Elo-Rivera proposal to impose an annual tax on short-term vacation rentals and second homes. The Rules Committee voted it down 3-2 after a coordinated effort by AirBnB that included busing “opponents” down from Los Angeles. This new proposal would not tax short-term rentals.
For more information: “Elo-Rivera revives plan to tax 2nd homes in San Diego by up to $15,000 a year,” https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2026/02/20/councilmember-elo-rivera-revives-proposal-to-tax-second-homes-in-san-diego/
In-person: Council, 202 C St.
To participate via Zoom and submit written comments, click on the meeting agenda and look for the links.
For tomorrow’s City Council meeting (2/24, 2 pm): downtown Council Chambers or online.
12th Floor, City Administration Building, 202 C Street San Diego, CA 92101. Zoom link for online attendance: https://sandiego.gov/councilmtg
Elo who vowed to go after corporations, has made nice with AirBnb and wants to tax the easy low hanging fruit for the sin of owning a second home. How you get away with double taxing property will be interesting and could cost taxpayers in litigation.
Ultimately, Elo-Rivera’s office said the goal of the tax is to get owners of empty homes to contribute to the housing stock through renting or selling the home, or contribute to the City.
Elo-Rivera’s office estimates that the tax would bring in up to $51 million — but that total assumes property owners of every eligible home pay the tax. If the tax encourages owners to rent or sell instead, or to find other workarounds, that would decrease revenue expectations.
A very stupid proposal. How about non-amateur leadership for starters? Kent and Viv to join in this debacle?
https://timesofsandiego.com/housing/2026/02/24/elo-rivera-second-home-tax-committee-chamber-lee-moreno/