Land Use and Housing Committee Meeting Summary - November 21, 2024
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Land Use and Housing Committee Meeting Summary - November 21, 2024
The Land Use and Housing Committee of the San Diego City Council met on November 21, 2024, at 1:00 PM. The meeting included non-agenda public comment, approval of the consent agenda, and two main agenda items: a discussion and vote on an Affordable Housing Preservation Ordinance (Item 2), and an informational presentation on options to strengthen animal welfare practices at city-owned facilities, particularly regarding rodeos at Petco Park (Item 3). The committee also heard extensive public testimony on both items.
Consent Calendar
- Item 1: Approval of the committee minutes from October 17, 2024. The motion passed unanimously (4-0).
Public Comments & Testimony
Non-Agenda Public Comment:
- Caesar Javier (District 7) raised concerns about air quality and pollution from a ceramics business operating in a residential zone, citing lack of action from city officials.
- Joyce Sanyata (District 3) pointed out a dangerous trench at First and Harbor Drive and criticized large semi-trucks blocking a disabled ramp near the convention center.
- Jan Bourgeois (East Village) urged the city to use vacant buildings for shelter beds and low-income housing, mentioning the California Theatre and Aztec Appliance building.
- Blair Beekman emphasized the importance of open government practices during the presidential transition.
- Peggy Walker spoke about illegal flavored tobacco products and the need for enforcement of AB 3218.
- Madison (a resident) advocated for a smoke-free multi-unit housing policy to protect children from secondhand smoke.
- Judy Strang expressed appreciation for the committee's work on unsheltered issues and urged removal of billboards promoting drug use.
Item 2 – Affordable Housing Preservation Ordinance:
- Many speakers supported the ordinance, including representatives from LISC San Diego, Legal Aid Society, San Diego Housing Federation, Center for Policy Initiatives, Chicano Federation, and Wakeland Housing. They emphasized the need to preserve existing deed-restricted affordable housing and called for a dedicated public-private preservation fund.
- Several speakers noted that naturally occurring affordable housing (NOAH) units are also at risk and urged the city to expand protections beyond deed-restricted units.
- The California Apartment Association and Southern California Rental Housing Association expressed support for the ordinance and the stakeholder process.
- Some speakers, including Cesar Javier and Bruce Coons, urged broader action on NOAH units and historic preservation.
Item 3 – Animal Welfare at Rodeos:
- Over 60 in-person speakers and 21 virtual speakers provided testimony. Positions were sharply divided.
- Supporters of stricter regulations (including many animal welfare advocates, the San Diego Humane Society, and residents) argued that rodeo events cause inherent animal suffering, citing injuries, fear, and stress. They called for a full ban or at least prohibition of specific events (calf roping, team roping, steer wrestling), restrictions on equipment (e.g., flank straps, spurs), and requirements for on-site local veterinarians and independent enforcement.
- Opponents (including representatives of the San Diego Rodeo Alliance, Kumeyaay Nation, C5 Rodeo, San Diego Padres, and many rodeo participants) emphasized rodeo as a cultural tradition, the existing high welfare standards, and the economic benefits (over 45,000 attendees, 9,000+ out-of-town room nights, approximately $300,000 in city revenue). They argued that the horse injured last year was not in a rodeo event and that the animal is alive and well. They urged the committee to reject any ban and instead collaborate on existing regulations.
Discussion Items
Item 2 – Affordable Housing Preservation Ordinance:
- Councilmember Moreno, who requested the item, provided background on the need to preserve the city's 23,450 deed-restricted affordable units. The San Diego Housing Commission presented the proposed ordinance, which would require owners of assisted housing developments (5+ units) to provide qualified entities a right of first offer and right of first refusal before selling, with specified timelines and exemptions.
- The City Attorney noted that legal review is ongoing and language may change. The IBA suggested clarifying the timeframe for posting tenant notices.
- Councilmember Moreno moved to recommend the ordinance to the City Council with an amendment to clarify the tenant noticing timeframe. The motion passed unanimously (4-0).
Item 3 – Options to Strengthen Animal Welfare Practices:
- Councilmember Lee introduced the item, noting that the first rodeo in city limits in over 30 years occurred at Petco Park in January 2024, and a second is planned for early 2025. He stressed the need to prevent animal injuries and align with San Diego's animal-friendly values.
- The San Diego Humane Society presented evidence of animal suffering in rodeo events, including calf roping, steer wrestling, and team roping, and recommended: banning the most harmful events, restricting equipment (e.g., spurs, flank straps), requiring a local large animal veterinarian on site, and having independent humane enforcement officers.
- Councilmember Lee, after public testimony, stated his intention to further investigate all legislative options, including prohibitions on certain events, equipment restrictions, enhanced care standards, and enforcement requirements. He emphasized that the focus is on city-owned facilities and not on private equestrian or cultural events like charrería. No vote was taken; the item was informational.
Key Outcomes
- Item 2: The committee voted 4-0 to recommend the Affordable Housing Preservation Ordinance to the City Council, with a direction to clarify the tenant noticing timeframe before the item is docketed.
- Item 3: No formal action was taken. Councilmember Lee will continue working with the San Diego Humane Society and the City Attorney's Office to develop a potential ordinance for future public discussion. The committee acknowledged the need for further stakeholder engagement, including with tribal partners and rodeo supporters.
Meeting Transcript
November 21st, 2024, our committee lays on Natalie Kessler will go over instructions for today's meeting. Thank you, Chair. 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 virtual 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. We appreciate the public's cooperation. Chair. Vice Chair Council President Pro Temla Cava. Present. Councilmember Whitburn. Here. Councilmember Moreno. And Chair Councilmember Lee. Here. Also attending the meeting today, Chris Ackermann Avila with the mayor's office, Senior Chief Deputy City Attorney Corinne Newfer from the City Attorney's Office. Amy Lee with the Independent Budget Analyst Office, and Madison Coleman, committee consultant. 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 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. And members of the public can join the webinar by computer, tablet, or smartphone by accessing the link which is listed online in the preamble language of the agenda on the city's webpage. To join the Zoom webinar by telephone, please style 1669-2545252. The webinar ID is 161-2865933 pound. This information is also available on the agenda and will appear on the screen during the public comment period for each agenda item. Please note that if you're watching via City TV 24 or online, there may be a delay. So please, when you participate via the audio on your phone, mute your TV or computer when it is your turn to speak. And if you wish to speak on a particular item, wait for that item to be called and then raise your hand to speak by tapping the raise your hand icon or if you're a calling participant, press star nine on your phone. If you raise your hand during a non-comment period, your hand will be lowered. Chair. Thank you, Natalie, for reviewing those instructions for the benefit of the public. A quorum is now present. We will now take up non-agenda public comment. The council respects and appreciates the public's input and are fully committed to protecting every participant's free speech rights at council and committee meetings. Natalie, will you please proceed with any non-agenda public comment? Per rule 2.7, non-agenda public comment is an opportunity for members of the public to comment on items that are not on the agenda, but within the subject matter jurisdiction of the committee, each speaker will have two minutes. And if you've joined the Zoom webinar online or by phone and have non-agenda public comment, please raise your hand at this time if you wish to speak. And Chair, we have received four speaker slips from individuals in chambers. We will begin with those in chambers before we move to the virtual queue. Caesar Javier, please approach the lectern. And you are joined by Perita Javier. You will each have two minutes. Reading, but not true when the ceramics come. Next door is fired by artist Donald Fraser of the San Diego Pottery Guild. The primary business type is non-metallic. Mineral product, manufacturing known as ceramics, pottery, home business home, occupation operating since 1984. Located at 5238, Streamview Drive, San Diego, 92105. A neighborhood dedicated as residential zone. Science through research and studies explains that ceramics pottery. Industry produces generates and emits to the Satz poison. Gases, airborne, contaminants, and dust that impact harm potentially to human and environment.
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