eNewsletter week of December 15, 2024

David Alvarez, right, with fellow Assembly member Eduardo Garcia

Alvarez 'open'

to amending law

that led to

Tower proposal

David Alvarez, who wrote state legislation that led to a developer proposing the 23-story Turquoise Tower in Pacific Beach, reportedly is "wary of high-rise buildings popping up all over San Diego's coastal neighborhoods."

He adds that he is "open to amending state law."

Assemblymember Alvarez made the comments in a KPBS report published December 12 by Metro Reporter Andrew Bowen.

In the article and accompanying podcast, Alvarez reportedly told KPBS that he "generally supports building more housing in high-opportunity neighborhoods like Pacific Beach." He says he wants that housing to be inclusive and lead to more opportunities for all segments of San Diego's population to find housing along the coast.

"Through the use of local laws called zoning, we have excluded particular segments of our population from living in certain parts of San Diego, (which has) led to things like a segregated city," Alvarez said. "I firmly believe that people from all walks of life should be able to live in any part of our great state and certainly of our amazing city."

Marcella Bothwell, Chair of Neighbors for a Better California (NFABC), which has led citizen protests against the proposed high-rise, also was interviewed for the article.

"We need affordable housing in Pacific Beach and all along the coast — that's not disputed," she said. "But the trade-off here is a mockery to a well-intentioned law."

One of NFABC's behind-the-scenes efforts in addressing state laws that paved the way for the Turquoise Tower proposal has been to work with state legislators to amend the bill that Alvarez authored. NFABC has offered suggestions for amendments that would achieve the state's goals of adding more housing, while at the same time restoring to local communities their right to have a say in what type of development happens in their neighborhoods.

So much has happened,

but we're still waiting

It has been almost three months since Pacific Beach officials found out about the proposed 23-story Turquoise Tower.

So what has Neighbors for a Better California (NFABC) accomplished in that time in its effort to stop the tower from being built and to restore local input to community housing decisions?

The answer is a lot. But in political and land use matters, sometimes a lot needs to be done before anything can be accomplished. In this case, important groundwork has been laid, but a big key to a decision about the fate of the Turquoise Tower proposal has yet to be announced.

“I’m frustrated,” said NFABC Chair Marcella Bothwell. “When I’m asked what are we doing, I have to keep saying we are waiting for HCD (the California Department of Housing and Community Development).”

Once HCD gives “technical guidance” that the City of San Diego has requested, things will start moving.

With that said, NFABC has done a great deal to be in position to react whatever the outcome is from HCD and San Diego. Here is a quick summary:

Building an organization

On Sept. 10, approximately 250 citizens gathered at the Pacific Beach Library to learn about the tower. Since then, thousands have joined NFABC and its sister group San Diegans for Responsible Planning. NFABC incorporated in November, continues to grow, is attracting more volunteers, and has access to a fund built from donations.

Public relations

NFABC has driven publicity about the Turquoise Tower. “Open” rates on weekly enewsletters are three times the industry standard for what is considered a very strong response. Local TV stations and print media have covered the Tower extensively. NFABC’s lone entry into social media on Nextdoor Kate Sessions has generated approximately 150,000 views with only 11 posts. Businesses throughout Pacific Beach also have stepped up to oppose the Tower. This week, NFABC will begin to greatly expand its social media outreach in an effort to reach the younger home-buying market. Plans also call for NFABC’s message to begin to shift to solutions for the long haul, which includes restoring local control of land use decisions.

Elected officials

All this publicity, alongside citizen protests, has caught the attention of elected officials. Former State Senate leader Toni Atkins, State Senator Katherine Blakespear, and Assemblymember Tasha Boerner have written letters to HCD urging rejection of the Tower proposal. In addition, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria and District 1 Councilmember Joe LaCava have expressed concerns in a letter to HCD. U.S. Congressman Scott Peters (also the founder of the San Diego YIMBY Democratic Club) said he thinks the 23-story proposal is a mistake. And, now Assemblymember David Alvarez, author of the bill that helped lead to the Tower proposal, says he doesn’t think high-rises in coastal communities is a good idea and is open to some amendments to his bill.

Working for changes in the law

NFABC is facing a daunting challenge to change bills such as AB 1287 because it passed with only one opposing vote – from Boerner. Nonetheless, NFABC is working hard behind the scenes to seize the momentum to convince elected officials that reasonable amendments to state laws can be crafted to protect communities while still enabling the state to reach its housing goals. NFABC is making progress and believes this effort is in the best interests of all. That is why the statement that Assemblymember Alvarez may be open to amendments is so welcomed.

Legal

NFABC hired a leading San Diego law firm specializing in land use law to write a letter of protest to HCD. The letter detailed points of opposition from the Pacific Beach community. Depending on the guidance from HCD regarding the Turquoise Tower application and the decision from the City of San Diego, NFABC is prepared to hire additional legal help.

Outreach

Because the issue of the state usurping local control over land use decisions and superseding local citizen initiatives such as Prop D in San Diego and Measure L in Oceanside is widespread, NFABC has reached out to community governing groups in San Diego and throughout the state to begin building a coalition. If other options fail, a statewide citizens initiative or constitution amendment may be an option.

Research

NFABC has done, and continues to do, extensive research about housing issues here and elsewhere. This research provides arguments and possible solutions to offer when talking with elected officials, as well as when dealing with the media and public. In addition, the board of NFABC has a wealth of housing expertise with one current and two former chairs of the Pacific Beach Planning Group, as well as the former planning director for a major city in Southern California. All this expertise is valuable because Pacific Beach is hardly the only community to face a housing issue and the extreme remedies offered as a solution.

Surveys

NFABC has conduction surveys on traffic safety and Proposition D (that survey remains open and you can access it by clicking here).

That’s a heck of a lot in less than three months. But, yes, everyone is still waiting for the first significant shoe to drop.

The wind-whipped Franklin Fire that stretched across Malibu recently forced authorities to issue evacuation orders to 20,000 people. Among those fleeing their homes were 99-year-old Dick Van Dyke and Cher.

It begs the question: What if a fire, earthquake or tsunami hit Pacific Beach and mass evacuations were ordered? Would the already crowded two-lane streets of Turquoise, Foothill and Beryl handle the traffic if they were made significantly more crowded by high-rises? Chaos and tragedy might result, which is exactly why Neighbors for a Better California has consistently argued local input is critical in land use decisions.

Our mission:

To advocate for responsible zoning, legislation, and community planning that promotes sustainable growth and improves the quality of life for all Californians.

Our vision:

To collaborate with political leaders and stakeholders to create housing opportunities through policies that promote inclusive, balanced, and community-centered development.