San Diego Land Use and Housing Committee Meeting - July 13, 2023
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San Diego Land Use and Housing Committee Meeting - July 13, 2023
The Land Use and Housing Committee met on July 13, 2023, to address several key items, including declaring a portion of Crystal Pier as exempt surplus land, receiving an informational update on housing and homelessness grants, and discussing preliminary proposals for cannabis social equity code amendments. The meeting included extensive public testimony, both in person and virtually, reflecting diverse perspectives on cannabis policy. Committee members engaged in detailed discussions with staff, posing questions and providing feedback on the proposals.
Consent Calendar
- Unanimously approved the committee actions from June 15, 2023.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Non-Agenda Public Comment: Speakers addressed a variety of topics unrelated to the agenda. Purita Javier and Caesar expressed concerns about toxic emissions from a ceramic manufacturing facility near their homes. Joyce Sanyata requested improvements at the intersection of 2nd Avenue and J Street and better sidewalk management during construction. Blair Beekman discussed public comment procedures under the Brown Act. Nancy Logan, Nancy Sheridan, Katrina Priest, Becky Rapp, and Judy Strang spoke on marijuana safety and youth, with some urging caution on any expansion. Daniel Vitya urged the city to consider converting the old central library into a permanent shelter with affordable housing. Mae Burrell advocated for cannabis education and social equity. Demetrius Harrison attempted to speak on cannabis but was redirected to item three.
- Item 2 (Housing and Homelessness Grants): Joyce Sanyata praised the report and urged making HAP funding permanent. Blair Beekman discussed mixed-income housing. Daniel Vitya asked about grant timelines and suggested using funding for permanent shelter at the old library.
- Item 3 (Cannabis Social Equity): Over 30 speakers provided testimony. Supporters (e.g., Armand King, Megan McCall, Joanne Balbuena, Dori Larimore, Rashida Hamid) emphasized the need to address harms from the war on drugs, create economic opportunity, and increase access to regulated cannabis. Opponents (e.g., Barbara Gordon, Nancy Sheridan, Becky Rapp, Judy Strang) expressed concerns about youth safety, market saturation, and enforcement. Industry representatives (Gina Austin, Heather Riley) asked for more detailed analysis and a slower process, while advocates like Andrea St. Julian and Anthony Avalos called for a more community-centered reframing.
Discussion Items
- Item 1: Crystal Pier Surplus Land Declaration: Staff presented a request to declare 27,810 square feet of the Crystal Pier structure as exempt surplus land under the Government Code. This is a procedural step to allow lease negotiations with Crystal Pier Motel. The committee approved the recommendation.
- Item 2: Informational Presentation on Housing and Homelessness Grants: Adrian Grand and Walt Bishop presented a comprehensive overview of state and federal grant opportunities, including competitive vs. formula grants, recent awards (e.g., HAP, Homekey, PLHA), and challenges such as the lack of success with the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities grant. Committee members asked about collaboration, financial details, and future legislation.
- Item 3: Cannabis Social Equity Program Updates: Lara Gates presented preliminary code amendments for a cannabis social equity program, including proposals to increase permits, change zoning, reduce separation requirements, and create a limited-use permit process. Committee members probed details on zoning, phasing, transferability, and community benefits.
Key Outcomes
- Approved the declaration of 27,810 square feet of Crystal Pier as exempt surplus land (motion passed unanimously).
- Item 2 was informational only; no motion was taken.
- Item 3 was informational only; no motion was taken. Staff will incorporate feedback and return with final amendments later in the year.
- The next committee meeting is scheduled for September 21, 2023, at 1 p.m.
Meeting Transcript
Wonderful. Good afternoon, everybody, and welcome to the land use and housing committee meeting of July 13th, 2023. Our committee liaison, Natalie Kessler, will go over the instructions for today's meeting. Thank you, Chair Moreno. While members of the public are able to attend the meetings in person, this meeting is being televised and live streamed on the city's website, and the council administration will continue to make arrangements for the public to comment using the Zoom webinar platform. Members of the public who wish to provide virtual testimony must enter the virtual queue by raising their hand before the queue closes. The queue will close when the last virtual speaker finishes speaking or five minutes after in-person testimony ends, whichever occurs first. This will allow for better meeting management between the two platforms and ensure the committee is able to manage and conduct city business. Chair Moreno. Thank you. Natalie, if you could please do the roll call. Yes. Vice Chair Lacaba. Present. Councilmember Whitburn. Sure. Councilmember Lee? Here. And Chair, Councilmember Moreno. Thank you. I am here. Um also attending the meeting is Mr. Chris Ackermanavila with the mayor's office. Uh Ms. Noah Brazer. I'm sorry, Miss Mr. Noah Brazier from the City Attorney's Office, Ms. Raishin Chen with the Independent Budget Analysts Office, and Miss Natalie Kessler, our committee liaison. So Natalie, please continue with public comment instructions. If you are in person, please complete a speaker slip located at the entrance of chambers and place it on top of the box indicated at the speaker's lecture and at the front of the room. Please do so in a timely manner to ensure proper meeting management. In-person testimony will conclude before virtual testimony begins. Members of the public can also join the webinar by computer, tablet, or smartphone by accessing the link, which is located online in the preamble language of the agenda on the city's webpage. If you need to participate by telephone, you may dial 1669-2545252. Webinar ID 160-268-1157 pound. Members of the public who wish to provide virtual testimony must enter the virtual queue by raising their hand before the queue closes. The queue will close when the last virtual speaker finishes speaking, or five minutes after in-person testimony ends, whichever occurs first. Please note that if you are watching via City TV 24 or online, there may be a delay. Thank you, Natalie, for reviewing those instructions for the benefit of the public. A quorum is now present. We are going to dispense with the approval of the committee actions of June 15th, 2023. Natalie, please proceed. Thank you. The public comment period for the committee actions is now open. If you've already joined the Zoom webinar online or by phone and wish to speak on the past committee actions of June 15th, 2023, please indicate so. If you're watching on City TV or the live stream online and would like to call into the meeting to speak, please call 1669-2545252 when prompted input webinar ID 160268-1157 pound. To raise your hand to speak, please select the raise your hand button or press star nine, and I will uh announce when it is your turn to speak. At that time, please press the unmute button or press star six. Chair, we do not have any speakers in chambers who have submitted a speaker slip to speak on the past committee actions, but we do have two speakers in the virtual queue with their hands raised. Okay.
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