Why this matters

San Diego’s housing shortage is a problem that has dogged city leaders for years, and it’s increasingly becoming a flash point for residents.

Two developers want to build housing on two separate lots in Barrio Logan, pitching their early plans to community members earlier this month.

Agustín Navarro, a representative from local design firm Ene-Te Studio, told Barrio Logan’s community planning group that it aims to convert a vacant lot into six townhomes on the corner of Newton Avenue and Dewey Street.

The site is at 2002 Newton Ave., next to the interchange of the Coronado Bridge and Interstate 5. It would house tri-level townhomes for sale that each come with two parking spaces.

From the Documenters

This story came in part from notes taken by Lily Fadell, a San Diego Documenter, at a Barrio Logan Community Planning Group meeting earlier this month. The Documenters program trains and pays community members to document what happens at public meetings. Read the note here.

Narravo said his firm’s client, Mexico-based company Grupo Arhe, owns multiple different lots in the neighborhood and this one would be the first to be developed.

Navarro said the city’s zoning rules allow for six townhomes. He told the planning group that the company aims to use a new city zoning rule for townhomes. 

Hector Villegas, a member of the planning group, said that while the developer’s housing plans look aesthetically pleasing, he suspects the townhomes are not affordable for locals.

Navarro said they did not have a price on the homes yet. There is no requirement to include affordable housing because the project calls for fewer than 10 units.

“It is bringing housing to the city of San Diego, but it’s not helping the community,” Villegas said. “They’re kind of a little vanilla and very simple, but there’s nothing that reflects the community of the culture that would make it look like it belongs here.”

The group requested the developer return with design improvements that reflect the community, and that the owner of the company attend another meeting next month. Narravo said the developer is currently in the public engagement stage and that there is no set timeline for construction.

A representative of a second developer, TKO Capital, also presented a proposal to build 127 apartments just a few blocks away on a vacant lot at 1746 Newton Ave. 

Patrick Zabrocki, a consultant working on the project, said affordable housing units would include six units for moderate incomes, four units for low incomes and six units with very-low incomes. Market-rate units would include 54 studios, 57 one-bedroom units, and 16 two-bedroom units. 

He said while the developer isn’t required to build parking, the plan still calls for more than 60 spots and additional space for bikes.

“I understand everything about the desire for more parking, more parking, more parking,” he said. “Those cities really have been pushing a future vision where there’s a lot less car ownership.”

Zabrocki said the site is ideal for apartments due to its close proximity to public transit, Petco Park and an elementary school. Zabrocki said the owner of the project, Trevor Outman, is a venture capitalist involved in “philanthropic-type of investments.” 

Zabrocki said this project will be using the city’s density bonus program, which allows developers to build at a higher density in certain neighborhoods if they include a higher percentage of affordable housing units. About 40% of the units could be considered affordable, he said.

Barrio Logan’s next community planning group meeting is scheduled for Oct. 15. The group is made up of volunteers who offer input to the city, which has final approval over projects.

Type of Content

News: Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.