OB Rag

The Callen Report

By Kate Callen

The sheer awfulness of the projects in our “Worst ADU in San Diego” contest has prompted readers to ask: ‘How the hell did this happen?’ To find out, let’s take a closer look at the Gold Prize “worst ADU,” the 14-unit complex at 4578 Jicarillo Avenue in Bay Ho. It shows how monstrous ADUs are spawned by three very bad actors: A rampaging builder. A broken city agency. And a scheming politician.

The Builder: Christian Spicer

In 2021, Christian Spicer told the New York Times that he started out in real estate by delivering foreclosure notices to homeowners. “The fun part was now I get to go in and turn the unit,” he said. When Spicer was cited for ripping out a kitchen without permits, a subcontractor mentioned it would be easier to build a backyard ADU – faster permitting, more profit.

The City of San Diego has finalized the design for the new Ocean Beach Pier and it will be showcased at a community workshop on October 26. The workshop will be at the Liberty Station Conference Center at 2600 Laring Road.

In a news release, the city announced:

“During this workshop, the city of San Diego and its consultants will share updates to amenities and features of the preferred pier design concept released in April, based on public input received since its original release.”

This will be the fifth workshop on the pier and is scheduled for 3 hours, from 12 noon to 3 pm on Saturday, October 26. Officials from the city and the consultants are expected to give a short presentation at 12:15, and then invite attendees to some interactive stations and a video display. Public comments will also be taken, it’s assumed. 7NBC

From San Diego Cannabis Times

San Diego county’s 70th dispensary just opened. 100 is closer than you may think.

With the recent opening of Off The Charts in Lemon Grove, the county saw its 70th licensed cannabis retail storefront open. A flurry of dispensary construction is taking place in East and South county areas and more will commence once licenses are awarded.

Here’s a rundown of what’s brewing around the county:

By Brian Fowler

Everyone knows there is a housing crisis in our county and has been for some time. Some define it as the homeless issue, whether through self- experience or being impacted by the effects. The way it robs people of their dignity and degrades the neighborhoods. Others view it through the fearful lens of the ever- increasing rental rates and ask themselves will they remain housed. Couples chasing the dream of home ownership are frustrated by their inability to save enough as prices continue to soar.

How can we fix this?

Starting with the Gaslamp Quarter revitalization in the 1980s — prior to this remake there were over 14,000 SROs in San Diego. Single room occupancy hotels renting by the month are not luxurious accommodations.

One of the largest apartment complexes in Ocean Beach is now up for sale. The 64-unit, 3-story complex called Mar at Seaside at 2401 Seaside sits on one and a half acres.

Constructed in 1962, the huge complex dominates the northeastern edge of Ocean Beach and is comprised of 4 studio/one-bathroom units, 51 one-bedroom/one-bathroom units, and 9 two-bedroom/ two-bathroom units.

Join the Ocean Beach Historical Society Program Macabre Victorians Thursday, October 17, 2024 at 7 PM, at Waters Edge Community Center, 1984 Sunset Cliffs Blvd., O.B..

Draw back the dark veil and take a glimpse into Victorian Macabre with Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation Historian Sandee Wilhoit and volunteer Jamie Laird as they delve into some of the bizarre superstitions, intricate customs, and fascinating practices of our Victorian ancestors surrounding mourning and death.

By Paul Krueger

State Senator Toni Atkins has joined the unlikely chorus of elected officials opposing a planned 22-story “Pencil Tower” on Turquoise Street in Pacific Beach.

“It represents an extreme misuse of the State Density Bonus Law, consisting of 75 housing units, of which only 10 are income-restricted, alongside a staggering 139 visitor accommodation units,” Atkins told the director of the state’s Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) in a publicly-released letter.

It was always a long shot – the Larry Turner for San Diego Mayor campaign — but when a poll came out in mid-September ( 10News-San Diego Union-Tribune ) that showed a fairly tight race between Gloria and Turner, hope appeared — not at Vine Street but within the Turner camp and among all those San Diego residents disgusted with Gloria.

According to the poll, 37% of those asked said they’d vote for Gloria if they were filling out their ballot right now, while 33 % said they’d vote for Turner. Meanwhile, 28% indicated they were undecided. This totally upset the campaign of coasting to victory for Gloria and even the U-T called him out on it.

Yet, as the race settles down in its last few weeks, it has become clear the San Diego establishment has turned against Turner.