Opposition to a large-scale, high-density, multi-story, mixed-use apartment complex proposed next to Cabrillo Elementary School at 1004 Rosecrans St. is ramping up.
A community town hall on the latest developments with the controversial housing project was held on Feb. 21 at Point Loma Assembly. During that meeting, residents were provided updates on the 1004 Rosecrans project, along with comments by a legal counsel.
A building permit application for the large-scale project at 1004 Rosecrans St. was submitted to the City’s Development Services Department last August. “The project scope for 1004 Rosecrans St. has been submitted as a 4-story mixed-use multi-dwelling unit,” said City senior spokesperson Richard Berg. “It’s 56 residential units, including eight affordable units, three low-income units, two low-income units, and three moderate-income units. It will also include a commercial suite and 45 parking spaces.”
Berg added that the City review of relevant permits for 1004 Rosecrans will include whether the project meets parking and traffic standards. “The project is still being actively reviewed by the City,” he added.
A local grassroots opposition group, Protect the Point (Point Loma), has formed with a Facebook page and a website under construction to continue public opposition to 1004 Rosecrans St.
“We do have an attorney, Julie Hamilton,” noted opposition spokeswoman Sally Bixler after the Feb. 21 town hall. “We chose her over others because we thought she had more feistiness and willingness to learn about the project. She is composing a letter to the City Council, noting that we disagree with the project’s height. The developer wants to do four stories and not three. We also object to 28 (proposed) parking spaces for 56 units. When you are a Complete Communities project (like 1004 Rosecrans) you do not have to provide parking.”
Complete Communities being advanced by the City includes planning strategies that work together to create incentives to build homes near transit, provide more mobility choices, and enhance opportunities for places to walk, bike, relax, and play. The plan is intended to ensure that all residents have access to the resources and opportunities necessary to improve their quality of life.
“We’ve worked so hard as a community to make this a small-business district, not a monstrous high-rise building,” pointed out Peninsula community activist Margaret Virissimo. “We think a lawsuit can be filed just to stall the project until we get the answers we need. What’s happening here is he (1004 Rosecrans developer) is moving along with this project. The Peninsula planning board should have been alerted. And if you read the Complete Communities’ plans, they logistically do not fit every community. It’s very vague on many different aspects.”
Fred Kosmo, chair of Peninsula Community Planning Board, has said local planners and residents are concerned about numerous aspects of the proposed 1004 Rosecrans housing project. “On its face, the 4-story, 56-unit proposal appears to violate the 30-foot height limit and has inadequate parking in an area that already has parking issues,” he said. “The project is inconsistent with the neighborhood and will cause traffic and congestion problems.”
“We should have input as to what happens in our community,” concluded Bixler about the City trying to fast-track increased housing density in coastal neighborhoods while concentrating that development near mass transit.
PROTECT THE POINT
This Facebook page was created for Point Loma and Ocean Beach residents to join together to protect and preserve the charming and historical quality of life in these communities. Listed matters of public concern include:
• Saving Famosa Canyon;
• Saving Kellogg Beach;
• Protect La Playa Trails;
• Stop the destruction of Sunset Cliffs Natural Park;
• Protect our quality of life;
• Save our coastal community;
• Traffic (make our roads safer);
• Density control; and
• Save Point Loma’s character and history.
“We created this group so that residents have a platform to communicate all issues we have in our community in hopes our city and district leaders will listen. Please use this Facebook page as your voice to express concerns on density, traffic, developments, and changes you see in the community that will heavily impact other neighbors and surrounding communities.”
