SACRAMENTO\u00a0\u2014\u00a0A state lawmaker from San Diego has proposed fast-tracking the construction of an arena and housing project, drawing criticism from opponents who argue the site is not suitable for large-scale development because of flooding.<\/p>\n
State Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson (D-La Mesa) wrote a letter last week to a powerful Assembly chair that outlines proposed amendments to Senate Bill 344 to help Midway Rising, a project backed by Los Angeles Rams owner Stan Kroenke, avoid potential lawsuits related to its environmental review.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs amended, SB 344 would deem the Midway Rising Specific Plan Subsequent Environmental Impact Report to be in full compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA,\u201d Weber Pierson wrote to Assemblymember Blanca Pacheco, chair of the Assembly Rules Committee. <\/p>\n
\u201cIn order to promote the swift and deliberate development of affordable housing in the City of San Diego, an urgency clause is needed for this measure.\u201d<\/p>\n
Developers are seeking to replace the decades-old Pechanga Arena and build a new 16,000-seat facility, 4,254 homes, including up to 2,000 affordable units, and commercial and outdoor space. The site is south of Mission Bay.<\/p>\n
Parts of the development could rise to a maximum height of 25 stories, according to the project\u2019s environmental impact report.<\/p>\n
Sports teams, including the minor league hockey team San Diego Gulls, play at the Pechanga Arena. The arena is surrounded by parking lots, which are used for weekend swap meets.<\/p>\n
The Assembly Rules Committee on Monday approved an urgency clause to SB 344, which mean it needs a two-thirds vote of both houses to pass and would go into effect immediately upon the governor\u2019s signature. <\/p>\n
Weber Pierson told The Times on Monday that the amendments intended to help Midway Rising \u201chaven\u2019t crossed\u201d the desk, meaning that the language hasn\u2019t been inserted into SB 344. If the amendments go into the bill, \u201cthen at that point, I think we can have a conversation,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
Brad Termini, the chief executive of Zephyr, one of Midway Rising\u2019s development partners, said the proposed legislation \u201cwill help prevent frivolous lawsuits from causing unnecessary delays and keep the project on track to break ground next year, accelerating the delivery of much-needed housing in San Diego.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Kroenke Group didn\u2019t immediately provide comment. Kroenke, the owner of the Rams, was announced as the major investor in Midway Rising in 2023.<\/p>\n
Former San Diego Assemblymember Lori Salda\u00f1a, a longtime critic of the proposal, called the proposed amendments \u201creckless and rushed.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cIt removes the opportunity for the public and organizations to weigh in,\u201d Salda\u00f1a said.<\/p>\n
State lawmakers routinely carve out environmental exemptions<\/a> for proposed sports stadiums, sometimes in the closing days of the legislative session. The Legislature has until the end of August to pass or reject scores of bills.<\/p>\n Former Senate Leader Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) led his colleagues in passing a bill in 2013 that helped the Sacramento Kings arena by limiting environmental lawsuits. The new arena for the Golden State Warriors basketball team in San Francisco also benefited from CEQA reforms passed by state lawmakers in 2011.<\/a> <\/p>\n The landmark 1970 legislation is credited with helping to protect the state\u2019s environment, but it is also criticized for blocking development.<\/p>\n Since it passed, the CEQA has been a consideration in how most major projects get approved in California. The law requires the disclosure of any effects a development might have on the environment, an evaluation of alternatives and, in many cases, proposed changes that would reduce those environmental effects to a level of insignificance. <\/p>\n Weber Pierson previously authored Senate Bill 958, another measure that will help the arena, that is awaiting a vote in the Assembly. <\/p>\n That bill states that the environmental impacts of a project that are associated with increased building height, including noise, shadows, or the potential to attract wildlife, shall not be considered significant impacts on the environment. <\/p>\n The bill applies only to specific developments, including those that are proposed on a graded infill site and those that pay construction workers a prevailing wage.<\/p>\n