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Dear members and supporters,
We are writing to you today because a critical moment has arrived for historic preservation in San Diego, and we need your help.
Last month, we told you that since the City of San Diego moved forward with weakening historic preservation protections without proper environmental review, there would be consequences.
And as promised, SOHO has now filed a legal challenge in San Diego Superior Court.
We thank those of you who have donated and enabled us to move forward quickly.
Our lawsuit challenges the City’s approval of major changes to its historic preservation program—known as the Preservation and Progress project, Package A—without the environmental review required under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
These changes weaken protections for historic resources across San Diego. Among other things, they allow the City Council to overturn historic designations made by preservation experts on the Historical Resources Board making it a political action rather than an informed expert action and introduce policies that could affect emerging historic districts, including Ocean Beach.
Historic places are an essential part of our environment and shared identity. CEQA exists to ensure that major policy changes are carefully studied and that potential harm to cultural resources is fully understood and mitigated before irreversible damage occurs.
That did not happen here.
Our legal team—led by Susan Brandt-Hawley, one of California’s leading CEQA attorneys—has identified serious deficiencies in the City’s process. Our action asks the court to require the City to prepare a full Environmental Impact Report and conduct a lawful public review before moving forward.
This is a serious legal effort, and we are committed to pursuing it with the same discipline and determination that has allowed SOHO to prevail in past cases.
But litigation is complex and resource-intensive. Filing the petition is only the first step. Preparing the administrative record, legal briefing, expert analysis, hearings, and potential appeals all require substantial resources.
That is why your support to help defend San Diego's Historic Preservation program is so important right now.
We kept our promise to act. Now we are asking everyone who is able to donate to please stand with us as we carry this case forward.
If you believe that preservation laws should be enforced, not weakened, ignored, or manipulated, please consider making a contribution today.
Every gift strengthens our ability to defend San Diego’s historic places and the neighborhoods that define our city.
Thank you for standing with us and for helping ensure that preservation protections remain meaningful and enforceable.
With gratitude and resolve,
Save Our Heritage Organisation (SOHO)
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