San Diego City Council Meeting Summary - December 16, 2025

The San Diego City Council convened on December 16, 2025, to approve a series of proclamations honoring local figures and events, followed by a contentious vote on two major community plan updates: the College Area and the Claremont. The meeting also included a final vote on the Community Enhancement Overlay Zone and discussions on budget-neutral police staffing positions.

Consent Calendar

• Proclamations Approved (Unanimous 8-0, one absent): The Council unanimously approved proclamations for Alvin Benjamin Holman Day (honoring the first Black firefighter outside Station 19), Assistant Chief James Gabriel Day (retirement), National Blood Donor Month, the Coastal Data Information Program 50th Anniversary, and Hanukkah 2025. Councilmember Campbell, Councilmember Campillo, and Councilmember Elo Rivera were credited as sponsors. (Note: The City Clerk added Councilmember Foster as a sponsor for Mr. Holman's proclamation after the initial roll call).
• Appointments: The Council approved potential and reappointments to various boards, including the Senior Affairs Advisory Board, Municipal Golf Committee, and the Human Relations Commission (specifically Ricky Brown, Sabrina Bazo, Edwin Lore, and Abdi Fatah Maulim).
• Police Staffing (Item 620): The Council approved new police commander and deputy director positions. Councilmember Moreno and Councilmember Foster expressed reservations regarding the lack of prior budget cycle planning and questioned the "cost-neutral" claim, noting a potential $34,000 variance. Councilmember Moreno registered a no vote on this specific item, while others supported it as necessary due to upcoming retirements.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Hanukkah Proclamation:

  • ADL (Fabienne Perlov) & Human Relations Commission Chair (Nicole Murray Ramirez): Expressed strong support for the proclamation and urged the City Council to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of anti-Semitism to better protect the Jewish community in the wake of recent attacks in Sydney.
  • Fire Chief Robert Logan: Expressed deep gratitude to Benny Holman, stating he is a product of Holman's legacy and that the department stands on the shoulders of those who broke barriers.
  • Councilmember Elo Rivera: Expressed profound empathy and support for the Jewish community, describing Hanukkah as a message of "refusing to disappear" and affirming that Jewish visibility is a civic priority.
  • Controversial Speakers: A virtual speaker expressed opposition to the Hanukkah proclamation based on conspiracy theories regarding Israel's creation and the Holocaust. Another speaker expressed opposition to the Blood Donor and Coastal Data items due to concerns about blood banks and climate data, claiming the data is skewed to push an agenda.

• College Area Community Plan (Item 609):

  • Opponents (e.g., Dana Givitt, Julie Hamilton, Robert Montana): Opposed the plan's density, arguing it is five to six times the projected growth needed by Sandag. They expressed concern regarding the lack of infrastructure to support 76,000 future residents, specifically citing the absence of fire stations in a high-fire-severity zone and insufficient park space. They urged the adoption of the community's "Seven Visions" plan instead.
  • Supporters (e.g., SD Regional Chamber of Commerce, Evan Strawn, Arya Grossman): Expressed support for the plan, stating it is necessary to address the housing crisis, allow students to live near campus, and reduce vehicle miles traveled.

• Claremont Community Plan (Item 610):

  • Supporters (e.g., Glenn Schmidt, Chadwick Sule, Ian Grooms): Supported the plan as a balanced approach that respects the community's unique character while adding necessary housing near transit.
  • Opponents (e.g., Susan Baldwin, Thomas Mullaney): Opposed the plan, arguing the 59% capacity increase is excessive compared to the forecasted population growth of 5% and that it treats Claremont differently than the College Area without sufficient justification.

Discussion Items

• College Area Community Plan Update:

  • Councilmember Elo Rivera: Moved to approve the plan, emphasizing the need to ensure students and future residents have a future in San Diego. He committed to working with the Mayor's office to secure funding for fire stations and parks but stated he could not promise specific infrastructure delivery without a signed agreement.
  • Councilmember Campillo: Voted No, citing significant concerns about the plan's failure to meet "affirmatively furthering fair housing" obligations by concentrating density in a low-resource area, and the lack of a binding mechanism to ensure infrastructure delivery.
  • Councilmember Moreno: Supported the motion, acknowledging the need for housing and the ripple effects of building in one area for the rest of the city.
  • Councilmember Campbell: Supported the motion, noting that while the old plan had unrealized capacity, the new plan is a necessary step, though she expressed caution about the city's ability to deliver promised facilities.

• Claremont Community Plan Update:

  • Councilmember Jennifer Campbell: Moved to approve, highlighting that the area has already added significant affordable housing and the plan balances growth with the community's unique history as the city's oldest suburb.
  • Council President Lacava: Voiced reservations that the plan "is not enough," contrasting it favorably with College Area's lower density and suggesting the council missed an opportunity to maximize housing in a high-resource, high-transit area. Despite reservations, he acknowledged the complexity and supported the vote.

• Community Enhancement Overlay Zone (Item 611):

  • Waiver of Rule 2.3.2: The Council voted to suspend a procedural rule to hear this item, which had been delayed from a previous committee meeting. Councilmember Campbell registered a No vote on the waiver due to concerns about public process.
  • Overlay Zone Approval: The item was passed unanimously (7-0). Staff presented the overlay as a mechanism to require new developments to provide on-site public spaces (plazas, greenways) or pay an in-lieu fee. Councilmember Moreno and Councilmember Von Wilpert were absent.
  • Councilmember Campillo: Changed his vote to Yes for the overlay, stating that while he voted No on the plan due to public facility concerns, this overlay is a better alternative than having no public space at all.
  • Councilmember Campbell: Seconded the motion, expressing support for the concept of pooling developer funds for larger parks but noting that the current regulations allow for small plazas that may not meet community needs.

Key Outcomes

• Proclamations: Approved unanimously (8-0). Councilmember Foster added as a co-sponsor for Alvin Benjamin Holman Day.
• Student Housing & Community Plans:
  • College Area Community Plan: Approved 7-1 (Councilmember Campillo voted No). The plan allows for an additional 18,000 homes, focusing density near transit.
  • Claremont Community Plan: Approved 7-1 (Council President Lacava voted No). The plan allows for an additional 14,000 homes.
  • Community Enhancement Overlay Zone: Approved unanimously (7-0). Requires new developments to提供 public space or fees.
• Police Staffing: Approved, though Councilmember Moreno registered a No vote and others expressed concern over budget neutrality.
• Procedural Action: Waiver of Rule 2.3.2 passed 7-1 to allow the Overlay Zone item to proceed.
• Next Steps: Council President Lacava committed to working with the Mayor's office on a funding strategy for the College Area's infrastructure needs. The Council adjourned for a special meeting on December 17, 2025.