Recently – within the context of discussions over the City of San Diego’s plans to bring massive redevelopment to the Midway District on this site – there has been some serious disparagement of the 30 foot height limit, and it’s being blamed for everything from the housing crisis to the lack of affordability at the coast.

So, apparently it’s time, once again, to present some local history – the origins of the 30 foot height limit – and some of the good folks who made it happen. It all began back in the late Sixties when beach residents began to rebel against a wave of unbridled development occurring at the coast.

It’s basically “mum’s the word” at OB’s hostel on Newport Avenue about their recent application for a liquor license with the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Concerns have been raised in some quarters of the community about yet another alcohol establishment on OB’s main commercial drag.

But even if granted, USA Hostel Ocean Beach only plans to serve its own guests – those travelers who lease out spaces at the hostel. No one from the outside would be allowed into the 2-story iconic building – they have 24/7 staffing at the only front door, I was assured by Julie, the on-site manager,

It appears the City of San Diego is getting set to dismantle the 30 foot height limit in order to allow massive redevelopment of the Midway District.

With the Midway area community plan update – okayed by the Midway planning committee on March 21 – about to be approved by the City Council in June, all the chips are falling into place to set the stage for some kind of political action that would get rid of the sacrosanct height limit for the some 1324 acres being considered for the redevelopment. The redevelopment would bring in dense housing – some of it affordable -, “modern commercial districts”, and 7-fold population increase to the area.

But the 30 foot height limit stands in the way of the dreams of developers, city planners, and their sycophants within the mainly commercial zones of the district.

It was a month ago exactly that a young woman was found bleeding from gunshot wounds in the vicinity of the Ladera Street stairs – which are at the end of Sunset Cliffs Boulevard. She survived but is undergoing intensive – and expensive – medical care.

Now, some of the mystery surrounding her shooting has come out. According to her mother – daughter Mya, 19, had been kidnapped by three alleged gang members who attempted to kill her – who have since been arrested.

Mya’s mother, who identified herself as Jill, talked with NBC 7, and gave the family’s story behind the series of incidents

To this day, Marcus Turner and his spouse, Priscilla, debate who made the first move when they met at the Sunshine Company a couple of years ago. “It’s contested,” Marcus told me, when I asked him which of them broke the ice while he and I sipped coffee during our hour long interview at the beach-side Newbreak the other day.

But apparently, he had told me, the attraction – “It was immediate.” They’ve been together ever since and were married not too long after they met.

Both of them, both Marcus and Priscilla, sit as board members on the Ocean Beach Town Council. And Marcus was just recently elected as the new president, replacing Gretchen Newsom, who retired from the board after many years. “I know,” he said, “I have big shoes to fill,” referring to his predecessor. He’s also very much aware, that in his new position, he’s the first African-American president of OB’s town council,

Good Samaritan Julio Vazquez, Despite Loss of House and Job Due to Injuries, “Would Do It Again”

A suspect has been arrested for the April 9 hit and run of a good Samaritan who stopped to help a couple in their disabled vehicle – on the edge of Ocean Beach. Jaron Blake Hillyer, 27, was taken into custody by San Diego police and booked into Central Jail on charges of felony hit-and-run, driving with a suspended license and no valid insurance.

His station wagon had been found in the 4300 block of Orchard Avenue. Meanwhile, the good Samaritan, Julio Vazquez, 26, – still recovering from his serious injuries – told CBS8 he “would do it again,” and

In an historic and unanimous vote, the Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday, May 2, decided on a package of proposed rules to regulate short term vacation rentals.

The proposals would allow city residents to rent out their own homes on a night-to-night basis, but not allow the renting out a house or apartment for short stays if it is not their primary residence.

There is one project up for review by the Ocean Beach Planning Board this Wednesday, May 2nd, at 4715 Cape May Avenue – and it’s a possibly a vacation rental in the making.

Other items on the agenda include the establishment of one new subcommittee by the Board – Transportation – and the selection of Board members for the Project Review Committee, and the usual reports by politico reps and executive members. The planning panel meets in the Community Room of the OB Recreation Center, 4726 Santa Monica Avenue – and meetings begin right around 6pm.

Sherman’s Family Owns 33 Rental Units in or Near Ocean Beach

There’s just something sketchy going on about San Diego Councilman Scott Sherman, the allegations that he has a conflict of interest in decisions concerning regulations for short term vacation rentals, and the lack of any genuine investigation by the San Diego Ethics Commission.

And the issue whether Sherman should recuse himself from any decisions about STVRs just won’t go away.

The big draw at Wednesday’s Ocean Beach Town Council meeting April 25th was the candidate forum – with candidates invited from two races: the District Attorney race and the District 2 City Council race. Only Genevieve Jones-Wright appeared for the DA campaign – Summer Stephens did not; and 5 of the candidates for D2 were on hand – but not incumbent Lorie Zapf.

DA Candidate Jones-Wright: “Break the cycle of crime”

“Many don’t trust the DA office,” she admitted – and her plans to rebuild the public’s trust is to “break the cycle of crime”;

It has just been confirmed to the OB Rag that this weekend’s Dog Beach Beer Fest has been cancelled. No reason was given.

According to radio station 94.9, they found out about the cancellation little after 12 noon today. Even though the radio station is one of the sponsors, it didn’t have the authority to cancel the fest scheduled for Sunday, April 29th – that decision was made by the promotional company.

That may be Eventbrite. Or is it Rock Star Beer Festival? Or Hodads? the other sponsors?

This all may be good news for some OBceans – those with concerns and questions about the event