PACIFIC BEACH – Two Pacific Beach developments – Rose Creek Village and Turquoise Tower – are being closely monitored by residents opposed to high rises and what they see as over-densification.
The city officially broke ground in September on Rose Creek Village at 2662 Garnet Ave. Set to open in 2026, the project will deliver 60 studio apartments for low-income seniors and veterans. Eighteen of those available units will be set aside as permanent supportive housing for veterans who’ve experienced homelessness, or who are at-risk of becoming homeless.
The Rose Creek residences are described as modern, energy-efficient studio apartments tailored to individuals, small families, veterans and seniors. The apartments will be available to those earning between 30% and 60% of the area’s median income, with a focus on providing long-term housing stability through comprehensive resident services.
“Rose Creek Village is a perfect example of what happens when we work together to build affordable housing in every part of our city,” said Mayor Todd Gloria. “We’re bringing housing solutions to neighborhoods like Pacific Beach, where many residents may not otherwise have access to affordable homes. Housing is the foundation of stability, and this project will help change lives by providing a safe, stable place for San Diegans to call home.”
Harry Bubbins, a community planner in Bird Rock, offered his take on Rose Creek Village.
“It is exactly what San Diego needs, providing 100% affordable housing for our older adults and veterans,” he said, while offering this caveat, “It’s a damning indictment that such a vital and modest project had to rely on state law to bypass our 30-foot height limit — a Nixon-era rule so irrational it blocks homes over two miles from the coast. This proves the policy is now doing more harm than good, and it’s time for a change.”
Not everyone in PB agrees that Rose Creek Village is without flaws. Community activist Scott Chipman warned that it sets a dangerous precedent regarding a 1972 ballot measure that continues to divide residents.
“This is the first project to break through the 30-foot height limit since Prop. D passed,” he said. “The rationalization provided was that it would provide ‘affordable’ housing. Neighbors nearby will be burdened by having dozens of additional cars parked in front of their houses. More housing, even affordable housing, that degrades the quality of life, is irresponsible.”
Meanwhile, the proposed 23-story Turquoise Tower project at 970 Turquoise St. remains under review as the city continues to press the developer for additional documentation.
The controversial high-rise proposes adding 10 affordable, 65 market-rate, and 139 visitor-accommodation units to the current site, where a gym, a liquor store, the French Gourmet and Froggy’s Bar now stand.
Turquoise Tower is strongly opposed by Neighbors for a Better California, a grassroots, non-partisan coalition advocating against housing overdevelopment. The group is particularly concerned about the effects of state-housing mandates and developer-driven legislation on neighborhoods.
In late September, the city Planning Department issued its second round of questions to the developer of the project. The coalition noted projects of this size and complexity typically undergo at least six full cycles of questions and responses between the city and the developer, before any approvals are considered. Turquoise Tower is still in the early stages of review and remains far from final approval.
Ryan Stock, a PB planner speaking for himself, compared the Rose Creek and Turquoise Tower projects.
“These are two very different projects, and, unfortunately, they have been lumped together,” he said, noting of the tower, “It stacks together laws and questionable calculations to build something truly out of scale with the neighborhood by an outside developer. In contrast, Rose Creek Village is a thoughtful project led by local developers,” Stock said.
“It’s 100% affordable, of mild height, and the only view it blocks is one of a massive billboard and the freeway. It’s close to the trolley and on the Rose Creek bike path, making a strong case for non-car transit.”
