San Diego Land Use and Housing Committee Meeting – June 10, 2021
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San Diego Land Use and Housing Committee Meeting – June 10, 2021
The Land Use and Housing Committee met on June 10, 2021, at 9:00 AM via Zoom to discuss several items including the approval of consent items, a presentation on the first-time homebuyer program, a declaration of surplus land, and an acquisition of a habitat conservation parcel. The meeting was chaired by Councilmember Stephen Whitburn, with Vice Chair Sean Elo-Rivera, Councilmember Joe LaCava, and Councilmember Vivian Moreno present.
Consent Calendar
- Unanimously approved committee actions from April 22, 2021.
- Approved four consent items:
- Lease surrender and termination with Lutheran Social Services of Southern California for the Claremont Senior Center (noted due to pandemic closure; staff to explore reopening).
- Declaration of 3440 Sandrock Road as exempt surplus land for affordable housing development.
- Acceptance of a recreational public trail easement from Tri-Point Homes in Carmel Valley.
- Memorandum of Understanding with City of Chula Vista and Tri-Point Homes for annexation of the Nicano property (future discretionary action expected).
Public Comments & Testimony
Non-Agenda Public Comments (6 speakers):
- Barbara Gordon expressed frustration with expanding marijuana businesses, citing problems from existing outlets. Opposed further expansion.
- Kelly McCormick (volunteer) highlighted illegal hazardous waste dumping by a permitted marijuana manufacturer, questioning the city’s oversight and enforcement.
- Becky Rapp (mother, District 5) opposed reducing sensitive use distances for marijuana (1,000 feet), citing increased teen use and mental health issues.
- Sandra Stahl (Executive Director, Montgomery Gibbs Environmental Coalition) requested investigation into airport deputy director for misleading council about unleaded aviation fuel availability.
- Madison Coleman (Climate Action Campaign) spoke about rising rents pushing low/middle income households from urban centers (brief).
- David Grubb urged raising inclusionary housing requirement from current 2% to 10% immediately.
Public Comment on Consent Agenda: None.
Public Comment on Item 7 (First-Time Homebuyer Program): None.
Public Comment on Item 5 (Surplus Land Declaration):
- Matt Wallstrom (Hillcrest) opposed blanket surplus declaration, urging city to consider social housing and require historical review for historic property (Item 7 on list).
Public Comment on Item 6 (Land Acquisition): None.
Discussion Items
First-Time Homebuyer Program Presentation (Item 7, Informational):
- Presented by Emily Jacobs (EVP Real Estate) and Sujata Rahman (VP Single Family Finance) of the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC).
- Program details: deferred payment loans up to 17% of purchase price at 3% interest for households ≤80% AMI; closing cost grants; mortgage credit certificates (currently unfunded).
- Since 1988, helped 5,898 families; FY2021 data: average home price $374,181, average income 65% AMI, 48 households assisted; FY2022 budget $7.8M targeting 100 households.
- Councilmembers discussed expansion: Councilmember Moreno requested exploring a moderate-income program (up to 120% AMI) similar to Los Angeles; SDHC open to study. Vice Chair Elo-Rivera and Councilmember LaCava discussed equitable access, rental credit reporting, and moving tenants to homeownership.
- SDHC noted low default rate (0.02%) and partnership with lenders.
Declaring City-Owned Properties Surplus (Item 5):
- Presented by Mary Carlson (Program Manager, Real Estate Assets) and Penny Moss (Director).
- AB 1486 requires council declaration before disposal; 10 properties proposed as surplus to initiate 60-day notice and potential negotiation with affordable housing sponsors.
- Councilmember LaCava asked about prioritizing affordable housing; staff confirmed discounting land is common. One property (Eider Street) is PUD and cannot be sold below market value.
- Approved unanimously.
Acquisition of 40-Acre Parcel for Habitat Conservation (Item 6):
- Presented by Barry Slotten (Program Manager, Real Estate Assets) and Megan Hickey (Senior Planner, PUD).
- Parcel in San Pasqual Valley (north of Highway 78), surrounded by city-owned watershed land, landlocked. Appraised at $312,000; purchased for $212,000 from motivated sellers (11 trusts).
- Acquisition protects habitat, source water (Santa Isabel Creek), and meets MSCP goals (97% of required acreage conserved).
- Funded from Water Utility Operating Fund ($217,000 all-in). CEQA exemption.
- Approved unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Approval of April 22 Committee Actions: Unanimous.
- Consent Agenda (Items 1-4): Approved unanimously.
- First-Time Homebuyer Program (Informational): No vote; Councilmember Moreno requested future docket to explore expansion to moderate-income households; SDHC to study and return with proposal.
- Surplus Land Declaration (Item 5): Approved unanimously. City will send 60-day notices to agencies; future dispositions require council approval.
- Land Acquisition (Item 6): Approved unanimously. Mayor authorized to execute purchase; expenditure up to $217,000 from Water Utility Operating Fund.
- Next Meeting: July 23, 2021, at 9:00 AM.
Meeting Transcript
To today's meeting of the land use and housing committee. We look forward to meeting again, hopefully soon in person. But for now, per executive order 2920, which suspends certain requirements of the Brown Act, the committee members will be participating via Zoom. In addition, this meeting is being televised and live streamed on the city's website. No members of the public will be in physical attendance at the meeting in the interest of public health and safety. Because of that, the committee liaison has made arrangements for the public to make comments using the Zoom webinar platform. As we go forward, I'll go over the specifics of how to join the webinar and we'll give details on how you can offer public testimony. At this time, I will call to order the land use and housing committee meeting of Thursday, June 10th, 2021. From the City Council, I am joined by our Vice Chair, Councilmember Sean Elo Rivera, by Councilmember Joe Lakava, and by Councilmember Vivian Moreno. I'm Stephen Whitburn, so all of our committee members are present. I'd also like to welcome from the Office of the Independent Budget Analyst, Charles Monica from the Mayor's Office, Randy Wilde, and from the City Attorney's Office, we have Corinne Newfer. Thanks to each of you for being here, and thank you for all of you who are watching today's meeting for joining us as well. Members of the public may view the meeting on the City TV channel for Fox Communication and Time Warner Cable, that is Channel 25, or for ATT, that's Channel 99. You can also view the meeting online by going to the City Council Committee's homepage at Sandiego.gov and selecting the City TV Live Webcast Blue button on the right-hand side of the page. We invite you to offer public comment on items by accessing the Zoom webinar online by using a desktop computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone, or by calling into the meeting using a smartphone, cellular phone, or landline. The link to join the committee meeting webinar by computer, tablet, or smartphone is listed on the agenda on how to join by iPhone 1 tap. To join the Zoom webinar by telephone, you may dial either 1669-254-5252 or 1646-828-7666. When prompted, you can input webinar ID 161042-5337 pound. That information is also available on the agenda and it will appear on the screen during the public comment period for each item. When I introduce the item that you'd like to comment on, please raise your hand by either tapping the raise your hand button on your computer, tablet, or smartphone, or by pressing star nine on your phone. When our committee consultant, Moncarlos Leva indicates it's your turn to speak. At that time, please unmute your phone by tapping the unmute button on your computer, tablet, or smartphone, or by pressing star six on your phone. Please wait until the item you wish to speak to has been called before you raise your hand to speak. Also, please mute the volume on your TV or computer before you begin to speak. And with that, let's get started. Uh we'll begin by taking up the approval of the committee actions of April 22nd, 2021. Do I have a motion to approve the committee actions? Moreno, happy to make a motion. Thank you. We have a motion by Councilmember Moreno. Do we have a second? And we have a second by council member uh by Vice Chair Elo Rivera. Uh if there are any council member comments or questions regarding approval of the April committee actions, we'll invite those now as I call the roll, and each committee member may register their vote. Uh Vice Chair Elo Rivera. Yes. Councilmember Lacava? Yes. And Councilmember Reno. Moreno, yes. And I would like to also register a yes vote, and that is uh unanimous. Uh we will now take up non-agenda public comment. Per temporary rule 2.6, non-agenda public comment is an opportunity for members of the public to comment on items that are not on the agenda but are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the committee. Each speaker will have two minutes. The period for non-agenda public comment is now open. If you have already joined the Zoom webinar online or by phone, please raise your hand if you wish to speak. To raise your hand, you can select the raise your hand button or press star nine. Juan Carlos, how many speakers do we have in the queue? Chair Woodburn, we currently have six speakers in the queue. We will begin public testimony with Barbara Gordon. Um, thank you very much.
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