News Summary
San Diego residents celebrated a legal victory as a Superior Court judge issued a temporary restraining order against the construction of an eight-story, 186-unit apartment tower in Golden Hill. The community group Preserve Greater Golden Hill filed a lawsuit, claiming improper project approval, particularly regarding its eligibility for density bonuses under the Complete Communities Program. Concerns about potential gentrification, parking inadequacy, and community impact have heightened tensions between the developer and local residents. A hearing for a permanent injunction is set for late November.
San Diego residents experienced a significant development on Monday when a Superior Court judge issued a temporary restraining order, halting construction on a controversial eight-story, 186-unit apartment tower in Golden Hill. This legal action follows a lawsuit brought forth by the community group Preserve Greater Golden Hill, which claims that the city improperly approved the project.
The lawsuit challenges the project’s eligibility for density bonuses under the Complete Communities Program, which is designed to promote the development of affordable housing. Judge Joel Wohlfeil expressed skepticism regarding the reliance on an unfunded future transit route as justification for the density bonus associated with the proposed apartment tower.
The heart of the dispute centers on whether planned but unfunded bus and trolley routes can qualify under city regulations for density bonuses. The apartment tower’s projections are tied to the planned rapid bus route, Project TL-46, which is anticipated to be operational by 2035 and will cost an estimated $130 million.
Residents have voiced concerns that despite the project’s stated intention to provide affordable housing, it may actually represent a luxury development that jeopardizes the character and affordability of the Golden Hill neighborhood. The planned site for the apartment tower is currently located on A Street, where three single-family homes were recently torn down to facilitate the construction work.
Critics of the project are also concerned about the potential displacement of lower-income residents, as gentrification continues to be a pressing issue in Golden Hill. The Complete Communities Housing Solutions program, under which the project is being developed, allows builders to exceed zoning limits based on a different calculation method known as floor-area ratio, differing from traditional zoning formulas.
Residents fear infrastructural strain, traffic congestion, and heightened safety hazards related to fire risks due to the increased population density that the project would introduce. At community meetings, many expressed their opposition to the size and nature of the proposed tower and advocated for modifications, such as downsizing the project and incorporating more parking spaces. The development is set to include only 147 parking spots for 180 units, raising serious concerns about parking adequacy for future tenants.
The judge has scheduled a hearing for a permanent injunction on November 26, which will ultimately determine the fate of the construction. Cedar Street, the developer based in Chicago, faces escalating backlash from local residents, many of whom describe the company’s actions as “predatory capitalism.”
While some city officials have noted that the project does not require City Council approval, tensions between the developer and the community persist. Preservation advocates warn that permitting such developments under the Complete Communities program may lack sufficient safeguards to protect local neighborhoods.
With the upcoming hearing, the future of the Golden Hill apartment tower remains in suspense, reflecting the ongoing conflict between residential communities advocating for affordability and developers pursuing larger-scale projects.
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Additional Resources
- CBS 8: Judge Issues Temporary Restraining Order on Golden Hill Apartment Tower
- Google Search: Golden Hill apartment tower news
- San Diego Union-Tribune: Judge’s Ruling on Housing
- Google Scholar: Golden Hill housing projects
- NBC San Diego: Golden Hill Housing Project Concerns
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Golden Hill
- Fox 5 San Diego: Community Sues City Over Housing Complex
- Google News: Golden Hill apartment tower
Author: STAFF HERE SAN DIEGO 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.
