Density-bonus high-rises don’t make housing cheaper

Density-bonus high-rises don’t make housing cheaper

For decades there has been one constant view shared by San Diego citizens: Please do not turn San Diego into Los Angeles. That view has been held by far-right, far-left and middle of the road voters.

Now the state of California is trying to force San Diego to become more like Los Angeles by passing laws that over-ride our local zoning laws. These laws also seek to over-ride citizen initiatives like Proposition D, which limits building heights in coastal communities to 30 feet to protect everyone’s view of the ocean. Loopholes in these laws paved the way for a proposed 23-story high-rise on Turquoise Street that is completely out of balance with the community.

But, a study by Vancouver’s top land-use expert shows trying to build “up” to make housing more affordable didn’t work in Vancouver and isn’t likely to work in San Diego. That’s one of many reasons why I oppose the Turquoise high-rise and urge you to oppose it also.

Yes, we need more affordable housing. But a Vancouver study by University of British Columbia professor of landscape architecture Patrick Condon finds that “rezoning for density and fast-tracking mainly market-rate developments won’t fix affordability crises in cities like Vancouver.” You can read the entire study in Condon’s book, Sick City, available on Amazon.

Please, stop the madness of a 23-story high-rise with 139 hotel units, luxury condos, and only five affordable housing units from becoming a reality.

Thank you

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