The proposed 23-story high-rise at 970 Turquoise Street in Pacific Beach exemplifies unchecked development that prioritizes profit over community character and livability.

This privately funded development would rise over 238 feet, drastically exceeding the 30-foot coastal height limit set by 1972’s Proposition D and the 60-foot limit for Community Commercial (CC) 4-2 zoning—yet these restrictions cannot be enforced due to state-mandated waivers that prevent the city from rejecting such exemptions.

State Involvement & City Review Process

The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) in Sacramento has forwarded this project to San Diego’s Development Services Department (DSD) for review. The DSD’s approval process is limited by state law, which prioritizes increasing housing supply over local zoning concerns.

The city’s DSD review is based on specific parameters, including:

• Adherence to state housing mandates: San Diego cannot reject projects that comply with state housing density laws, even if they violate local zoning height limits.

• Affordable housing provisions: The project includes only 10 affordable units (5 very low income, 5 moderate income) out of 74 total housing units, while dedicating most of its residential space to market-rate housing and 139 hotel units.

• Traffic and infrastructure impact: The narrow, two-lane street is already operating at 400% over traffic capacity and serves as a designated evacuation route—factors that should raise serious concerns about public safety and emergency access.

• Coastal impact and community character: The tower’s height and mass far exceed current zoning laws, threatening public beach access and setting a precedent for unchecked high-rise development along San Diego’s coastline.

Precedent for Unchecked Coastal Development

If approved, the Turquoise Tower will set a dangerous precedent for high-rise expansion across San Diego’s coastal areas. Developers will continue maximizing profits with luxury ocean-view projects—while everyday residents face increased congestion, reduced beach accessibility, and diminished community character.

This proposal isn’t just about one building—it’s a test case for the future of San Diego’s coastline. Once high-rises start replacing low-rise, community-centered developments, the floodgates will open for more unchecked, state-backed urbanization along the coast.