By Rag Staff
The San Diego Community Coalition publishes this email bulletin to keep our members and the San Diego public informed about important Council and Planning Commission hearings and other city public meetings.
Monday, May 11: City Council, 10:00 a.m.
Closed Session Agenda:
Item CS-7: Mary Brown, et al. v. Joe LaCava, et al.
Why it matters: The Council will discuss a settlement offer in a citizens’ lawsuit challenging the legality of the City’s bait-and-switch trash fees. If the settlement isn’t approved, opening statements in the trial are scheduled for Tuesday, and Mayor Gloria, Council President LaCava, and other City officials will be called as witnesses.
Monday, May 11: City Council, 2:00 p.m.
Item 204: Update to the Land Development Code and Local Coastal Program, Minor Amendments to the Downtown Community Plan and General Plan
Why it matters: This was postponed from last year because the Planning Department was taken up with Bonus ADU amendments. Neighbors for a Better San Diego has submitted 26 code proposals focusing on transit-oriented development, accessory dwelling units, Complete Communities, and short-term vacation rentals. For details, visit: https://www.neighborsforabettersandiego.org/2025-land-development-code-update
Tuesday, May 12: City Council, 10:00 a.m.
Item 58: Amendments to the Rules of Council for Consistency with State Senate Bill 707 and Recordings of Closed Session
Why it matters: The intent of SB707 was to “empower community members to be engaged.” So why has Council President LaCava used it as an opportunity to restrict time allotted for public input while staff and project applicant presentations run 10 minutes or longer? The Community Planners Committee’s “Seat at the Table” proposal could rectify that and deserves to be adopted.
Wednesday, May 13 – Economic Development and Intergovernmental Relations Committee, 9:00 a.m.
Item 2: Exclusive Negotiation Agreement (7th and Market Street) Between the City of San Diego and The Robert Green Company
Why it matters: If the name “Robert Green” sounds familiar, it’s because he was sued by the City of La Quinta in 2024 for breaching contractual obligations in his agreement to build the Talus Resort Project, a cornerstone city development.
Item 6: Informational Presentation from Balboa Park Cultural Partnership on the Current Impact of Paid Parking at Balboa Park
Why it matters (a lot): The six councilmembers who voted to approve Mayor Gloria’s paid parking fees – Joe LaCava, Kent Lee, Marni von Wilpert, Sean Elo-Rivera, Jennifer Campbell, and Henry Foster – will have to listen to hard evidence that their decision has driven away Park visitors, reduced Park revenues, forced staff layoffs, and threatened the future of San Diego’s “crown jewel.”
It will be interesting to hear what they have to say now. A large turnout at the meeting will signal to them that the public holds them accountable.
In-person: Council, 202 C St., Commission
To participate via Zoom and submit written comments, click on the meeting agenda and look for the links.
