On July 16, members of the Peninsula Community Planning Board formally opposed a bill, which, if passed, would remove the 30-foot height limit in the Midway District and clear the way for a massive redevelopment of the Sports Arena.
The planning group’s opposition to Senate Bill 958 is spelled out in a letter to the state assembly.
If passed, the proposed legislation would prohibit increased building height from being considered a significant impact on the environment under the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA.
San Diego State Senator Akilah Weber Pierson introduced the bill in February after a successful legal challenge from residents over Midway Rising’s plans to bring over 4,000 housing units and a new sports arena to the Midway District.
“SB 958 is an important step toward addressing California’s ongoing housing crisis and ensuring communities across the state have the tools to create the housing Californians need,” Weber Pierson said in a statement to Times of San Diego.
Eric Law, the chairman of the Peninsula Community Planning Board, said he and other members support the redevelopment of the Sports Arena but not by dismantling the current height restrictions.
“Effectively, it makes possible the Miami Beach-ification of the entirety of the California coast,” Law said of the bill. “There’s no reason to have skyscrapers at the beach.”
The board’s letter, which is being sent to the assembly and the appropriations committee, says that SB 958 is “special interest legislation” that establishes a dangerous precedent for other developers to evade environmental protections requirements.
The letter also states that the bill creates flight safety concerns since Midway Rising would be near San Diego International Airport.
Law said he wants to have a meeting with legislators, community planning groups and the public to discuss SB 958 before the state legislature goes back in session on August 3.
“Someone who’s willing to carry a bill like that, which has substantial implications to their constituents, should show up to face their constituents on it,” board member Andrew Hollingworth said during the meeting.
A city spokesperson said in an email that the city is moving forward with finalizing the documents for the project.
“Once that process is complete, we can begin identifying potential dates for Committee and City Council consideration,” the spokesperson said.
Peninsula planning chair Law said that the board is taking a stand to preserve San Diego and make it a better place to live.
“We’re not gonna stop fighting for the people to retain their quality of life,” Law said.
