Letter to HCD Regarding High-Rise Hotel Project Planned for Pacific Beach
November 13, 2024
Director Gustavo Velasquez
California Department of Housing & Community Development
651 Bannon Street
Sacramento, CA 95811
Dear Director Velasquez:
I am writing to express my strong opposition to the Project Vela proposal at 970 Turquoise Street, in the community of Pacific Beach in the City of San Diego. The project is currently under review by HCD’s Housing Accountability Unit for technical guidance and is being proposed under the state’s Density Bonus Law. Alongside Senator Atkins, Assemblymember Boerner, and Mayor Gloria, I agree that this project undermines state law by permitting a project that includes only 10 affordable homes alongside 139 visitor accommodation units and 74 other market rate residential units.
The intent of this law is to create meaningful affordable housing, and as it stands, that is not what this project does. As the State Senator representing part of coastal San Diego County, I believe that we can do our part to increase the housing supply through density measures that enhance existing neighborhoods and preserve community character while avoiding high rises in our coastal neighborhoods. I want to ensure the spirit of the law is followed and not misinterpreted.
The state is facing a housing crisis. With soaring housing costs, many residents are unable to afford a place to live, leading to a rapid increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness. These are critical issues for me, and I am committed to advancing policy that increases housing production and prioritizes affordability. Proposals like this work against these efforts. This project does not align with the State’s housing goals, and for this reason, I cannot support it in its current form and respectfully ask HCD to continue reviewing the City of San Diego’s request for technical assistance.
Senator Catherine Blakespear
38th District