News Summary
A proposed 12-story mixed-use building in Mission Hills is facing backlash from local residents. Concerns revolve around traffic congestion, safety risks, height of the building, and lack of affordable housing. Community feedback is being sought as the project undergoes review by the City’s Development Services Department. With strong opposition, residents are worried about the impact on the neighborhood’s character and issues of housing accessibility.
San Diego – A proposed 12-story mixed-use building at the intersection of Fort Stockton Drive and Goldfinch Street in Mission Hills is facing considerable opposition from local residents. The project is under review and seeks to utilize a 90 by 90 square foot lot to create commercial space on the ground floor along with 120 residential units above.
Community members have expressed significant concerns regarding the height of the proposed building, which they believe would disrupt the character of the neighborhood, exacerbating congestion and posing safety risks. Residents have highlighted issues including insufficient parking, traffic problems, and potential complications regarding evacuation routes in the event of wildfires.
Local resident Doug Poole conveyed that the project is “out of character for the community” and criticized its design, particularly its lack of affordable housing units, with only two of the 120 units committed as affordable. This has raised alarm regarding housing accessibility for lower-income residents in the area.
The plot on which the building is proposed has been vacant for the past two years, prompting development interest that is connected to a privately funded factory-built initiative. Many residents gathered at a recent community meeting to express their disapproval, even though the notice for the meeting was short.
Residents are urging attention from City Council members Stephen Whitburn and Todd Gloria, emphasizing the importance of incorporating community feedback in the decision-making process. Concerns have been amplified following findings that the project is associated with Affordable Development LLC, founded by Steven Yari, whose firm, Stockdale Capital, has a contentious history including instances of foreclosures.
As it stands, no building permits for the project have been issued, as confirmed by the Director of Communications for Council Member Stephen Whitburn. The City’s Development Services Department (DSD) is currently reviewing the proposed development, assessing its compliance with local land development regulations, zoning, and building codes.
The DSD has clarified that the project has not yet been scheduled for City Council approval, and the feedback from residents will be communicated to the appropriate parties for further consideration.
Overall, residents of Mission Hills continue to rally against the proposed development, highlighting the impacts it may have on their neighborhood’s character, safety, and accessibility to affordable housing.
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Additional Resources
- CBS 8 News
- Wikipedia: Urban Development
- KABC News
- Google Search: Community Development Projects
- NBC San Diego
- Google Scholar: Public Protest Against Development
- MLive
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Urban Planning
- San Diego Union-Tribune
- Google News: Safety Concerns in Urban Development
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SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
