Organized by community members, the demonstration highlighted strong opposition to the $185 million privately funded development by Kalonymous LLC, which seeks to bring 213 residential units, luxury condos, and hotel accommodations to the coastal neighborhood. The protest included a symbolic attempt to release balloons tethered to strings to visually represent the building's towering 238-foot height. Windy conditions disrupted the effort, but the message remained clear: the community opposes the project's scale and potential impact on the neighborhood.
Known as the Vela Project, the project is criticized in that it would only offer 10 designated units as affordable housing under California’s State Density Bonus Law. While proponents argue the project addresses San Diego's critical housing shortage, critics contend that it exploits housing legislation meant to incentivize affordable developments. Critics argue that the project's affordable housing component is minimal compared to its scale, with the majority of units targeting high-end buyers and renters, some priced at over $10 million.
The height of the building, more than seven times the community's 30-foot height limit established by Proposition D in 1972, has become a flashpoint in the debate over state versus local control of zoning laws. Many also question the project's use of "visitor accommodations" to increase allowable density, a strategy that has drawn scrutiny for potentially exploiting legal loopholes. The site, currently home to The French Gourmet restaurant and neighboring businesses, sits at the intersection of Turquoise and Cass streets.
The proposed development has ignited widespread opposition from community groups, planning boards, and local officials. Critics argue that the project misuses density bonus laws, which allow developers to bypass local height restrictions in exchange for including affordable units. With only five units designated for very low-income households, opponents claim the project prioritizes luxury condos and hotel accommodations over meaningful contributions to affordable housing.
The protest follows a week of heightened tensions surrounding the project. Earlier this week, the developer canceled a scheduled appearance at a YIMBY Democrats meeting, further fueling skepticism about the project's transparency and public accountability. Protesters emphasized their commitment to safeguarding the community’s character and holding developers accountable to local and state housing goals.
Residents and officials alike have raised concerns about the development’s implications for Pacific Beach's character. The Pacific Beach Planning Group and the Bird Rock Community Council have both spoken out against the project, warning it could set a precedent for more high-rises in the city's coastal areas.
Local officials, including San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, City Councilmember Joe LaCava, and state leaders like Senator Toni Atkins and Assemblymember Tasha Boerner, have publicly criticized the project. They argue that the development misuses housing legislation intended to address California’s housing crisis and fails to deliver meaningful affordability. Advocacy groups and local residents have urged city officials to take a stronger stance against the proposal, but legal limitations have hindered definitive action until further guidance is received from the California Department of Housing and Community Development.
For now, the city is awaiting this technical guidance, which will determine whether Kalonymous's application complies with state and local laws. Until then, protests like today's reflect a community determined to preserve its unique coastal identity and resist what many see as an overreach of state housing laws.
Originally published on November 23, 2024.
