There’s a big development in the works in Pacific Beach that’s definitely catching everyone’s attention. A Los Angeles-based developer, Kalonymus LLC, is proposing a massive 22-story high-rise just a few blocks from the coast. The project would combine hotel rooms, apartments, and ground-floor shops, all in a tower that would soar over 200 feet—way above the 30-foot height limit that’s been in place in the area for decades.
This height limit was set by a voter-approved law to preserve the laid-back, low-rise vibe of San Diego’s beach communities, so you can imagine the kind of buzz this project is creating. The developer, however, is using a state law called the State Density Bonus Law to sidestep the local height restrictions. This law is designed to encourage the building of more affordable housing, and by reserving some of the units for very-low and middle-income families, they’re able to ask for exceptions to the height limit.
Kalonymus argues that they’re working within the law to create more housing in an area where it’s historically been tough for many San Diegans to afford to live. They say the project will make hundreds of units available in a prime location, without requiring any public subsidies. But not everyone is on board. Mayor Todd Gloria and Councilmember Joe LaCava, who represents the area, have both spoken out against the project, saying it doesn’t align with what the city or state intended for affordable housing laws.
Locals are also voicing their concerns, with some feeling like the developer is exploiting a loophole. A group called SavePB is even organizing a rally to oppose the project. On the flip side, housing advocacy group Circulate San Diego is happy to see the state’s housing laws in action, saying this is exactly the kind of development needed to address the region’s housing crunch.
The project is still under review, and while it’s facing pushback, it’s also possible that it could move forward since it technically follows state law. Either way, it’s shaping up to be a hot topic in the neighborhood, and we’ll be hearing more about it in the months to come!
