Cars rounding the corner on Rosecrans and Talbot honked while a group of residents protested peacefully on Saturday morning, March 29.

The protest from 8 to 11 a.m. was called by Protect Point Loma, a newly formed nonprofit established to oppose the proposed development at 1004 Rosecrans. That multi-story apartment complex, proposed under the City’s Complete Communities program, would be immediately adjacent to Cabrillo Elementary School and directly across from Point Loma Assembly at 3035 Talbot St.

As proposed, the 1004 Rosecrans project would be four stories with 56 units (8 affordable) plus 45 basement garage spaces with 1,779 square feet of commercial space with no lot line or street setbacks. The site previously was a gas station, another concern about possible lingering environmental contamination.

A group of about 50 protesters in high spirits gathered on the busy Point Loma Village street corner about 8:30 a.m., on the sidewalk in front of the housing development site being leased by a rental car agency.

“We’re small but mighty at the moment – but we’re growing,” said Point Loma resident Sally Bixler, one of many participants carrying “No on 1004 Rosecrans” yard signs. “This (project) started as being 14 units, and the City said, ‘Oh no, you can do much more than that because you can qualify for Complete Communities.’ So now we have 56 units. And it’s a ruse that eight units are affordable.”

“We’re asking for a small donation, and those proceeds are going to potentially help us with a lawsuit, if needed, against the project,” said Point Loma community activist Margaret Virissimo.

Asked why she was opposed to the project, Virissimo said: “It’s not just us. It’s other neighborhoods, too. We are not against all developments in our community. It’s the shadiness of Complete Communities that bypasses the Coastal Commission and local planning boards. Those community conversations are being lost with a project this large. This Complete Communities is the problem because it’s so vague.”

Another protester, Eric Law, said he joined the protest because the developers “Want to put 56 units on a lot that’s zoned for 14, and because they want to build a four-story structure that dwarfs the most historical building on Point Loma (Jennings House eatery next to the project). That’s just insane to think about. You’re going to dump over 100 people here, with all their vehicles; there’s no parking. There’s a drop-off for kids twice a day (at Cabrillo Elementary).

“There’s a commute to Naval Base Point Loma with thousands of people going through here twice a day. And there’s no consideration by the City to do anything. They’re quite happy to proceed ministerially with no public review whatsoever. They’ve taken us (public) out of the loop.”

For more information, visit protectthepoint.com.

PROTECT POINT LOMA

This newly formed nonprofit was established in direct response to the proposed development at 1004 Rosecrans. The group is dedicated to uniting the Point Loma community to stand against rampant, unrestrained development driven by legislation and city charters such as SB10 and Complete Communities. PPL’s mission is to preserve the safety, character, and livability of the Peninsula neighborhood while advocating for responsible and sustainable development.

SB 10: Is a California bill signed into law in 2021 that allows cities to permit up to 10 units on a single parcel in transit-rich areas near public transportation. Aiming to increase housing density and address the housing crisis, SB 10 allows increased housing density in certain areas by allowing cities to zone for smaller, lower-cost housing developments. Under SB 10, cities can authorize the construction of up to 10 units on a single parcel without requiring an environmental review.

Complete Communities: Is a City housing initiative that incentivizes development near transit hubs. The initiative concentrates on four key areas: housing, mobility, parks, and infrastructure. The program aims to remove regulatory barriers to housing, to create communities with both market-rate and affordable homes, and to invest in neighborhood amenities like parks and plazas. The goal is to create more affordable and diverse housing options, while also improving mobility and accessibility for all residents. The program provides an incentive to developers to build housing in multi-family and mixed-use commercial areas served by transit, and it removes regulatory barriers to housing at all income levels.