San Diego City Council Votes to Repeal ADU Bonus Program

News Summary

The San Diego City Council has voted 6-3 to direct planners to repeal the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) bonus program due to community concerns. Initiated in 2020, the program allowed multiple units on single-family lots to promote affordable housing but has faced backlash over traffic and neighborhood aesthetics. The council aims for a balanced housing strategy that respects community input while still addressing the urgent need for new housing in the city.

San Diego – The San Diego City Council has voted 6-3 to direct city planners to repeal the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) bonus program within the next 90 days. This decision comes after significant community concerns regarding the program’s impacts on local neighborhoods.

The ADU bonus program allowed property owners to construct multiple accessory dwelling units on single-family lots, going beyond state requirements. Initiated in 2020, the program aimed to promote affordable housing construction in the city. However, during the year 2023, ADUs accounted for 20% of all new housing permits in San Diego, highlighting the program’s initial success in density enhancement and housing provision.

Opposition from residents has intensified, mainly due to worries about the repercussions of increased traffic, parking shortages, and changes in neighborhood aesthetics. A considerable number of residents voiced their concerns, particularly from historically marginalized communities that have faced disproportionate impacts from the bonus ADU projects. This feedback prompted the council to reconsider its strategy and approach to housing policies significantly favored by developers.

Some members of the City Council have indicated the necessity for “guardrails” to protect community interests from potential exploitation of the ADU policy by developers. These concerns included loopholes that inadvertently allowed developers to construct full apartment buildings under the guise of ADUs. As part of the proposed changes, three planning commissioners suggested limiting the housing units on single-family parcels to a maximum of four. This would comprise one primary home, two state-mandated ADUs, and one bonus deed-restricted or accessible ADU.

The council’s recent decision signals a shift away from housing policies that have primarily endorsed a development-centric approach, characterized by the term YIMBY (Yes In My Backyard). The hope is that the forthcoming changes will lead to a more balanced strategy that accommodates both the needs for increased housing and the desire for preserving the character of existing neighborhoods.

This potential overhaul of the ADU bonus program reflects a broader discussion about housing policy in urban areas, which often pits speedy development against community preservation. As city planners move towards implementing the repeal, city officials are focused on ensuring that the revised policies align better with the needs and expectations of local residents.

In conclusion, the San Diego City Council is actively reevaluating its approach to housing development, moving towards a framework that respects community input while still addressing the urgent need for new housing. The upcoming repeal of the ADU bonus program is a testament to the evolving conversation surrounding housing policy in the city.

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Additional Resources

• Axios: San Diego Council ADU Policy
• Wikipedia: Accessory Dwelling Unit
• CBS8: San Diego’s Bonus ADU Program
• Google Search: San Diego housing policy
• San Diego Union-Tribune: Rollback of ADU Incentive
• Google Scholar: Accessory Dwelling Unit
• SD News: Residents Unhappy with ADU Policies
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Housing