On Tuesday evening, Jan. 9, the City of San Diego’s Councilmembers voted 6 to 2 against the All Peoples Church (APC) project as presented, which was to build a 900-seat church, parking structure and a large multi-purpose room. The church had hoped to build along the east side of College Ave north of I-8 in Del Cerro.

The major concerns have been traffic on College Avenue, an additional traffic signal and the number of cars entering the parking lot. The concerns by the councilmembers are the number of cars daily entering the parking lot. The numbers estimated by the church are less than what seems viable in reviewing all the proposed activities. Our Councilmember, Raul Campillo, stated in reviewing everything, it appears an additional and a more thorough traffic study was required.

Michael Livingston, a principle with Save Del Cerro, noted, “We worked so hard – six years- and here we are tonight with a victory. It’s just exhilarating.”

Like Livingston, many in the Del Cerro community were concerned about traffic safety issues.

“Too large, too intense,” Livingston added. “College Avenue’s very busy. It’s a major arterial. There [are] way too many uncertainties. Uncertainties lead to safety issues. And safety issues is what we don’t need more of; we have them.”

I was able to contact a member of the APC committee who provided the following statement:

“Of course, the church is sad and disappointed after the vote today. Yet we are choosing to trust God and His provision for them in their mission to bless the city. We will continue to move forward and prayerfully consider the next steps to take.”

FODC continues to request input from residents on community improvements

Meantime, Friends of Del Cerro (FODC) continues to request input from Del Cerro residents regarding what they would like to see improved; from street repairs to landscaping adjacent to city streets.

To gain additional information, FODC will be conducting a survey. The plan is to mail a letter to every fifth home in Del Cerro in February.

The letter will explain the survey and include a link and QR code to an on-line survey. The survey will allow residents to rank their priority of potential projects and a section allowing responders to include additional items to be considered. Responses will remain anonymous.

If you would like the FODC to submit a city-related Del Cerro issue to the city’s Get It Done APP for you, send us an email at [email protected] and include a brief explanation of your city-related issue.

For more information about FODC and/or to join our growing membership, go to: friendsofdelcerro.org.

Photo credit: savedelcerro.org/.