OB Rag

The coastal height limit is a reflection of San Diego’s identity  — The City Council should not support the state’s push to break the rule

By Joe LaCava / San Diego U-T Op-Ed / July 22, 2024

The will of the voters in the city of San Diego is absolute. In 1972, residents took to the ballot box to limit the height of new buildings in the coastal area west of Interstate 5 to 30 feet. The measure passed citywide, withstood legal challenges, and has been recognized by the city and its residents ever since. No city, state or developer has the authority to reverse the will of San Diego voters without seeking a vote by the public.

From SanDiegoVille / July 22, 2024

After nearly four decades serving diner staples in San Diego, Perry’s Cafe is set to close its doors this summer to make way for a new residential building.

Perry’s Cafe has been serving the community near the junction of Interstates 5 and 8 in San Diego’s Loma Portal/Old Town area since its inception in 1985. Founded by Greek immigrants Constantine “Costas” and Margaret Georgakopoulos, the cafe quickly established itself as a beloved destination for locals and tourists alike looking for classic American diner fare, generous portions, and friendly service. .

University Community Plan Update Also on Docket

A number of grassroots and community groups are inviting their fellow San Diegans to an important hearing today by the City Council. The Council will hold a meeting on the General Plan Update including the controversial “Blue Print San Diego” and an update to the University Community Plan Update. The hearing begins at 2 pm, today, Tuesday, July 23 in Council Chambers at the 12th floor of the City Administration Building, 202 C Street, San Diego, California 92101.

By Jan Zverina, 20-Year Resident of University City

Dear Mayor Gloria:

Allow me to begin with the opening statement in the City of San Diego’s latest University Community Plan Update Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR), which is a blunt contradiction to the City’s stated intent to foster “an inclusive and constructive dialog” with University City residents regarding future plans for our community:

By Gary Wonacott

I filed a complaint against the short term rental office and SANDAG described below.  But in essence, it says that the STRO pressured SANDAG personnel to publish erroneous data for the number of housing units and population for Mission Beach.  For example, in 2020, the census value for number of housing units is 3188 for MB while the SANDAG published data is 3,620.  This is a huge difference.  This week, I should get back the results from the City’s fraud investigation.  It will be interesting either way it goes.

By Arturo Castañares / La Prensa / July 18, 2024

San Diego County Board of Supervisors this week asked staff to examine the level of corporate ownership of single-family rental homes in the region and look for ways to protect renters through legislation or even lawsuits.

The proposal by County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer directs the County’s Chief Administrative Officer Ebony Shelton to report back to the Board on the percentage of ownership of single-family homes held by corporate landlords and to “explore options for initiating, pursuing, and/or joining litigation against corporate landlords and property firms to address allegations …”

By Colleen O’Connor

As I predicted in an OB Rag column on December 12,  2022. “Thus, the big predictions.  Neither Biden nor Trump will be the U.S. President.” Simple reason two years ago. Same simple reason today.

As I also stated in another OB column. “It’s the Women, Stupid” who will decide in 2024. Despite all the chaos, the cruelty, the ignorance and the fear, good things have already happened and will continue. Credit women. The suffragettes.

By Patty Ducey-Brooks

Residents, business owners and homeless advocates from throughout the city of San Diego are meeting at 1 p.m., Monday, July 22 at City Hall, located at 202 C Street, to urge the City Council to fulfill its fiduciary duty by rejecting the flawed Kettner & Vine Homeless Shelter Lease because of the major operational, legal and financial risks it imposes on San Diego identified in the City Attorney and Independent Budget Analyst Reports to the City Council.

(1)  Lack of Adequate Protection for the City:

The Callen Report

By Kate Callen

Once again, Mayor Todd Gloria wants the instant gratification of a real estate deal that seems financially perilous and legally tenuous. This time, he may not get it. Like 101 Ash Street and Midway Rising, the Kettner and Vine homeless campus has been hurtling forward at Gloria’s insistence since he abruptly announced the project April 4.

The scenario is all too familiar: Gloria is exuberant about a land use proposal, and he wants it to happen fast. Maybe the estimated costs of tenant improvements seemed reasonable (101 Ash). Or maybe the winner of a bidding process was an unknown player with no track record (Midway Rising).

President Joe Biden just announced he was ended his candidacy for the 2024 campaign. He thanked Kamala Harris for being a good partner and endorsed her.

Here’s his statement to the American people:

My Fellow Americans,

Over the past three and a half years, we have made great progress as a Nation.