Senate Bill 10, over a year following its inception, is still a key topic in meetings and protests in San Diego.

On Sept. 16, 2021, California Gov. Gavin Newsom approved SB 10 on a state level. It went into effect in January 2022, now local governments are tasked with implementing the bill. The policy itself is not mandated, but it removes previously firm restrictions on developing multi-site homes. Furthermore, environmental restrictions can be waived in the process of increased zoning.

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria announced that he plans to opt-in to SB10 as part of the “Missing Middle” housing plan from his second Housing Action Package. The way in which it is implemented, however, remains to be seen.

The bill allows local governments to zone up to 10 residential units within parcels in “transit rich areas” or “urban infill sites” through majority votes. SB 10 seeks to expand housing options for Californians by increasing housing development and reducing the burgeoning cost of homes.

City of San Diego Senior Public Information Officer Tara Lewis further explained the bill and its goals.

“(San Diego) is in a housing crisis and the lack of homes and affordable homes affects all of us,” Lewis said. “For decades, the rate of construction of new homes within the city has not kept pace with demand. This is especially true for affordable homes, where production has only met a very small fraction of the need.”

The city will continue to follow regulations, including building and fire codes that “prevent overcrowding conditions.”

Opponents of SB 10 argue that the bill will interrupt single-family neighborhoods, increase congestion and prevent homeowners from building wealth on their properties. More zoning, they argue, won’t fix the housing issues the city seeks to address.

Neighbors for a Better San Diego (N4BSD), a local organization advocating for single-family homes, held a Zoom meeting last month to address resident concerns.

Among the members of N4BSD is Chair Member Geoff Heuter. He expressed doubt regarding the bill’s primary goals: increasing housing access and affordability.

“There are no affordable housing requirements in SB 10, so unless San Diego’s implementation differs from state law, there is no expectation that San Diego’s implementation will produce anything other than market rate or above market rate housing,” Heuter said.

Increasing supply without stricter regulations, Heuter argues, has the potential of out-pricing residents creating more displacement and homelessness.

SB 10 is set to expire in 2029. Heuter and N4BSD believe the best solution to this issue is observing SB 10’s impact elsewhere and pursuing other projects to address housing concerns.

“(San Diego) should let other cities go first, and then only implement SB 10 if it is proven to achieve affordability and climate action goals,” Heuter continued. “In the meantime, San Diego has introduced other significant land policies, such as Complete Communities, Blueprint SD, citywide development fees, and Sustainable Development Areas that are still in flux. We should figure out those programs first before we add another irreversible program into the mix.”

The city is holding community sessions to explain the policy and field resident concerns, including a workshop in April.

For updates and additional information on SB10, visit: sandiego.gov/planning/work/housing-action-package.

See an opinion piece on this subject at: sdnews.com/infill-sprawl-wont-meet-san-diegos-housing-needs-and-undermines-our-climate-action-goals/.