SAN DIEGO — Neighbors in Clairemont are fighting back against another ADU project that would add ten units to the backyard of a single-family home. CBS 8 is Working For You to find out if the developer is following the rules.
“These people buy these properties," said neighbor Jerry Rapp, who lives on Shoshoni Avenue. "They show up and they start knocking things down, and putting up these mega-apartment complexes right in single-family homes.”
Rapp and his neighbors are pushing back against the multi-ADU project on their cul-de-sac. They say parking is going to be a problem on their street.
“It’s super frustrating," said Rapp. "You buy into a neighborhood, you’ve got these fantastic neighbors, and then we’re going to get an apartment complex right here. It’s not what we signed up for.”
In October, Neighbors for Clairemont filed a lawsuit against the developer SDRE Homebuyers and the City of San Diego for allowing the project to move forward.
“This is an expensive endeavor," said Rapp. "It’s $50,000 to $100,000 to fight these people and the city, and so the neighbors are chipping in.”
CBS 8 has reported on similar projects from the same developer, including one on Firestone Street and another on Almayo Avenue involving 17 ADUs.
A couple months ago, CBS 8 spoke with SDRE’s attorney.
“Everybody admits and agrees we have a housing crisis. Nobody has a perfect solution,” said Hoffman, who showed CBS 8 what these projects typically look like.
He described their accessory dwelling units as typically one-bedroom units, 500 to 800 square feet in size.
CBS 8 pulled the permit for the project at 4602 and 4606 Shoshoni Avenue. The current home will be remodeled and the existing garage converted to an attached ADU. Five separate, two-story buildings will be constructed in the backyard.
“It’s NIMBY, right? Not in my backyard," said Hoffman back in September. "And everybody’s fine with affordable housing, right, as long as it’s not next door to me.”
SDRE is allowed to do this through San Diego’s ADU Bonus Program. They’re allowed a bonus unit for every affordable one they build, and since there is a bus stop within a half-mile, it’s considered a Transit Priority Area. That means no parking is required.
“It’s coming all over San Diego unless we can get our City Council to listen to their constituents, and change these ridiculous Bonus ADU laws,” said Rapp.
As for the lawsuit filed against SDRE and the City of San Diego, Rapp told CBS 8 the first court hearing will be in May.
At CBS 8, we are always Working for You and our community. This is a station promise that we will go the extra mile to solve a problem our audience can’t solve themselves. We want to hear your ideas on how we can cover and help our community. If you have a story idea, please email us at workingforyou@cbs8.com.