SAN DIEGO — Dozens of new affordable housing units are coming to Pacific Beach but not everyone is happy with the project.
Developers have secured enough funding to build 60 units at 2662 Garnet Avenue, where a former sushi restaurant now stands.
While proponents say affordable housing is desperately needed, opponents are not happy with the height of the building, which will exceed the coastal area's 30-foot limit.
During the July 30 San Diego City Council meeting, some residents spoke out against the project, which has been named Rose Creek Village.
"To allow the 30-foot height limit to be violated here would certainly be doing harm," said one Pacific Beach resident.
"We don't wanna become Miami Beach. We do want affordable housing. Let’s get creative," said another Pacific Beach resident.
District 1 Councilmember Joe LaCava is among those who oppose the project calling it a “bait and switch.”
LaCava says when developers first proposed the idea in 2021, they did not mention the height, which is expected to double the area's 30-foot limit, measuring five stories and 60-feet tall.
"I cannot and will not support using taxpayer dollars to fund projects that are dishonest with the community, that are dishonest with public agencies and use public dollars to bypass voter adopted ballot measures," said LaCava.
The council meeting was focused on whether or not to loan developers $4 million. The council approved that loan, which will help move the project forward.
Eric Naslund, an architect on the project, says despite the criticism, it will benefit the area greatly by providing affordable housing options near transit.
Minus the manager's unit, all others are designated very low or extremely low income, including 18 units reserved for homeless veterans.
The complex will also include office space for supportive services.
"There are teachers who work there. There are, you know, first time firefighters, etc., all who can qualify for some of these things because of their starting income. And we need those people, and they need to have a place to live where they can be of service to the community," said Naslund.
Rose Creek Village will be the first 100% affordable housing complex in a San Diego beach community.
Regarding its height, Naslund told CBS 8 initially, developers did not know how tall the project would be, which is why it wasn't disclosed from the very beginning.
So, how were they able to override the area's 30-foot limit?
Naslund and the developers maintain it’s not within the state's coastal zone, and based on the affordable housing factor, the state gave them a density bonus.
"State law for affordable housing grants some benefits, one of which is they can have 33 additional feet if they're in specific areas, and so the 33 extra feet applies in this case because the coastal height overlay for the City of San Diego is a local ordinance, and state law supersedes that,” said Naslund.
The project is expected to break ground in spring 2025, and is expected to be completed within two years.
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