Land Use and Housing Committee Meeting: June 12, 2019
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Land Use and Housing Committee Meeting - June 12, 2019
The Land Use and Housing Committee of the San Diego City Council convened on June 12, 2019, at 9:00 AM. Present were Councilmembers Moreno (Chair), Campbell, Sherman, and Ward. The committee addressed several items, including approval of consent calendar items, a contentious lease agreement for De Anza Cove and Campland, sales of city-owned properties, a comprehensive code update, and informational reports on housing programs. Key votes included a 3-1 approval of the De Anza/Campland leases with an amendment, and unanimous approvals of property sales and the code update.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the record of action for April 10, 2019, and May 23, 2019, by voice vote.
- Approved Item 1: First Amendment to the contract with CNM Transfer of San Diego (CNM Relocation Systems Inc.) unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Non-agenda public comment:
- Kathleen Lippett alleged city bias in treatment of marijuana production facilities vs. churches, citing a Brown Act violation in October 2018.
- Scott Chipman presented a community plan for the De Anza Special Study Area, urging a balance of recreation, education, and environment.
- Martha Welsh criticized lack of affordable family housing (2- and 3-bedroom units) and HUD funding, claiming senior buildings are full of non-paying residents.
- Kelly McCormick called for enforcement and stricter standards for marijuana billboards near schools, citing state law and health risks to youth.
- Jim Pugh (Audubon Society) expressed concern about a potential Brown Act violation regarding closed-session council action affecting agenda item 2.
- Item 2 (De Anza Cove/Campland leases) public comment:
- Supporters included Jacob Galfand (Campland on the Bay lessee), Cynthia Ralph, Terry Campbell, Barry Homer, Jim McCoy, Diane Disdall, Lourdes de Leon, Matthew Gardner (Mission Beach Town Council President), Russell Moore, James Howard, Scott Chipman, Sean Schwab (Friends of Campland), Slater Schwab, and Celia Schwab. They cited benefits such as cleanup of hazardous mobile homes, continued affordable camping, job preservation, and the proven track record of Campland. Sean Schwab delivered 1,130 emails of support.
- Opponents included Chris Redfern (San Diego Audubon), Ryan Carlsgott (UNITE HERE Local 30), David McCullough (C3/Beautiful PB), Cynthia Wooten, Tyler Vanosdell, Jim Pugh, Scott Andrews, Bill Tippets, Chuck Dunning, Andrew Meyer, Frank Landis, Deborah Knight (Friends of Rose Canyon), John Heatherington (Environmental Center of San Diego), Rod Mead, Leslie Hando, Denise Friedman, and Tommy Howe. They argued the leases were negotiated behind closed doors, would preclude or delay wetland restoration, were not truly short-term, and lacked transparency. Some supported including the 'Wildest' alternative in the EIR and requested quarterly updates.
- Item 3 (Valencia Park properties) public comment: Martha Welsh expressed disappointment that the Housing Commission did not acquire the properties for affordable housing.
- Item 4 (415 Euclid Ave) public comment: Martha Welsh again questioned why the Housing Commission did not step up to build housing on the site.
- Item 5 (12th Update to Municipal Code) public comment:
- Don Taylor spoke in favor but requested stronger aesthetic controls for wireless facilities in historic districts.
- Amy Hayes (SOHO), Priscilla Ann Bergie, Bill Burningham, and Vicki Pincus spoke in opposition to the wireless provisions as written, urging adoption of the Planning Commission's recommendation to include Secretary of Interior standards for designated and potential historic districts.
Discussion Items
- Item 2: Percentage Lease with Northwest MB LLC (De Anza Cove) and First Amendment to Lease with Campland LLC - Staff presented a short-term lease for De Anza Cove (initial 4-year term, June 30, 2023, with possible extensions) and an amendment to Campland's lease to be co-terminous. The lessee would invest $8,050,000 in public benefit improvements, including removal of 167 deteriorating mobile homes, repurposing 150 sites for RV camping, and repairing bike/pedestrian paths. Planning Director Mike Hanson stated the leases would not interfere with the De Anza revitalization plan, with construction not expected until 2025 at the earliest. Public comment was extensive. Councilmember Campbell moved to forward staff recommendation to full council, adding an annual informational item to the Environment Committee. Councilmember Ward offered an amendment to add language that the lease does not restrict the city's discretion over long-term planning, which was accepted. Ward also proposed an amendment requiring all lease options to return to council; Campbell declined. Ward voted no. The motion carried 3-1 (Campbell, Sherman, Ward? Actually Ward voted no, so yes: Campbell, Sherman, Moreno voted yes; Ward no).
- Item 3: Sale of 13 City-Owned Properties in Valencia Park - Staff recommended authorizing sale at or above appraised value ($65,000-$110,000 each) with a 4.5% broker commission to Colliers International. Six offers were received, including one for all 13 properties. Councilmember Sherman moved approval; seconded by Ward. Motion carried unanimously.
- Item 4: Sale of City-Owned Property at 415 Euclid Avenue - Staff recommended selling the 6.621-acre property to San Diego County at appraised value ($1.4 million) for health and social services. The building requires nearly $1 million in deferred maintenance. Councilmember Moreno moved to approve; seconded by Sherman. Motion carried unanimously.
- Item 5: 12th Update to Phase One of the Municipal Code and Local Coastal Program - Staff presented a comprehensive code update with 56 issue items, including allowing interim ground-floor residential in vacant commercial space, expanding permanent supportive housing, and streamlining wireless facility regulations. Several advisory groups approved, though the Community Planners Committee opposed Item 6 (environmental document distribution). Councilmember Moreno moved to forward staff recommendation with a request for staff/city attorney analysis on courtesy notice to planning groups for items 11 and 13 (permanent supportive housing and transitional housing). Councilmember Ward expressed concerns about wireless facility impacts on historic districts and requested offline follow-up. Motion carried unanimously.
- Item 6: Informational Report on Source of Income Ordinance - The San Diego Housing Commission reported on education and outreach efforts since the ordinance's passage in July 2018. Highlights included over 70 trainings with 2,300 attendees, 7,974 flyers distributed, and a hotline receiving 15 calls. The commission is implementing a landlord partnership program with incentives. Enforcement begins August 1, 2019. No action required.
- Item 7: Informational Report on Affordable Infill and Sustainable Expedite Program - Development Services reported that from October 2017 to December 2018, 22 discretionary projects were approved (1,252 dwelling units, 25% affordable). Projects under review in 2019 represent 8,057 units, a 320% increase. The program achieved its goal of 50% faster processing times compared to standard. No action required.
Key Outcomes
- Item 2 approved (3-1) with amendment adding language that the lease does not restrict or limit city discretion over long-term planning. Campland/De Anza leases to proceed to full council. The committee also requested annual informational reports to the Environment Committee.
- Item 3 approved unanimously: Authorization to sell 13 Valencia Park properties at or above appraised value, with 4.5% broker commission.
- Item 4 approved unanimously: Authorization to sell 415 Euclid Avenue to San Diego County at appraised value of $1.4 million.
- Item 5 approved unanimously: 12th Update to Municipal Code forwarded to full council with added request for analysis on courtesy notice to planning groups for PSH/transitional housing.
- Items 6 and 7 were informational; no action taken. The next regularly scheduled meeting is July 17, 2019.
Meeting Transcript
I don't know if you want to say this for this time. Good afternoon. I will call to order the June twelfth, two thousand nineteen land use and housing committee meeting. Councilmember Ward, Campbell, and Sherman are present. Uh, welcome to all the members of the public who are attending this committee meeting today. Uh, for those of you who've never been to one of our committee meetings, I wanted to explain to you how you could participate. Um, on the table in the back of the room, near the door are speaker slips in favor or opposed. If you'd like to speak, please fill out a slip and bring up front to the wooden box uh near the uh near the lectern. Uh, our committee consultant, Kevin Smith will make sure uh to get it. Uh, if you'd like to cede your time to another speaker, please indicate that on your slip. And if you'd like to register your position, but do not need to speak, you could fill out a slip and check the box at the bottom, indicating that you do not wish to speak. Um, with that, the first thing that we're gonna take up is the approval of the record of action item for April tenth, two thousand nineteen, and May twenty-third, two thousand nineteen. Do I hear a motion on the floor? Okay, count uh Councilmember Campbell doing it. Can I get a second? Okay, Mr. Sherman. Uh so all those in favor of the motion, please say aye. Aye. Okay. Um, none opposed, so the motion carries. Uh next, we're going to go to non-agenda public comment where members of the public may speak on any item not on today's agenda. So you can come forward. So sorry, I'm supposed to call it. Uh uh, Kathleen Lippett, followed by uh Scott Chipman. And followed by Martha Welsh. There are also seats uh reserved in the front, so if I've called your name, please come forward and be ready to speak. Go ahead, ma'am. Good afternoon. My name is Kathleen Lippett. The city isn't recognizing the bias that it has been showing when it comes to the accommodations amendments and amendments to city codes and even to the extent of violation violating the Brown Act back in October 2018 when Councilmember Ward proposed the permitting of 40 MPFs in the city. That was not on the agenda, but the swift seconding of this motion and the subsequent unanimous approval of the amendment made clear it was not an extemporaneous motion. The efforts though to dismiss violations of sensitive uses are egregious. Churches throughout the city, especially in Mission Valley, were told that they were in violation of the municipal codes for failing to have filed an obscure change of use permit that they needed. However, when 32 illegally operating MPFs also in violation of land use codes were in the same position, they were grandfathered. That's evidence of bias. Thank you. Thank you. Scott Chipman, followed by Miss Martha Welsh. By the way, an MPF is a marijuana production facility. That's not what I'm here to talk about, though. But I'm sure very few people in the audience know. Um I'm here to talk about uh Mission Bay Gateway. Um about 10 years ago, uh people in the community uh urged the Mission Bay Park Committee to start the planning process for the future of the Deanza Peninsula and the special study area. The uh Mission Bay Park Committee was concerned about the ongoing litigation with the residents at DeNza Mobile Home Park, and so chose not to act. At that time, the Mission Bay uh gateway community was formed, and research into possible planning for the Deanza special study area began. After over a year of research and speaking with area stakeholders, a plan was developed. I've given you a copy of that plan as it stayed uh as its status is now. Plus uh I've also provided you a copy of what's currently going through the EIR process. Some key guiding principles include the project should be a balance of recreation, education, and environmental needs.
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