![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Turquoise-map-1.jpg\")
The proposed Turquoise Street development would be placed near the border of La Jolla\u2019s Bird Rock neighborhood. (Bing Maps and La Jolla Light)<\/p>\n
The project, which is being reviewed by Development Services, would bypass the city\u2019s voter-approved Proposition D,\u00a0which generally limits the height of new buildings to 30 feet in coastal areas west of Interstate 5. It would do that through a state density bonus law that supersedes local voter initiatives and planning rules<\/a>. The law allows developers to add to their buildings for including certain quantities of housing considered affordable for lower-income residents.<\/p>\n Kalonymus \u2014 a real estate investment and development firm that\u2019s active in the San Francisco, Los Angeles, Central Coast and Miami markets \u2014 says the Turquoise Street development would \u201ctruly move the needle\u201d in meeting San Diego\u2019s need for homes.<\/p>\n Because it would avoid the 53-year-old coastal height limit, the proposal has sent waves of shock and anger through area communities, including La Jolla, where the southern boundary is a few blocks from the development site.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, California Senate Bill 79<\/a> would allow increased construction of multifamily homes near public transit such as rail stations and bus lines and allow some projects to bypass local regulations.<\/p>\n The La Jolla Shores Association voted July 16<\/a> to write a letter opposing the bill, which was approved by the state Senate on June 3 and is making its way through the Assembly. LJSA contends the measure doesn\u2019t account for community context, local topography, infrastructure limitations and quality of architectural design.<\/p>\n The letter was to be sent to members of the Assembly and Senate, as well as San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria and City Council President Joe LaCava.<\/p>\n State Sen. Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas), whose 38th District includes La Jolla and Pacific Beach, was one of 13 senators who voted against the bill when it passed the Senate.<\/p>\n LaCava, whose District 1 also includes La Jolla and PB, does not support the bill, according to representative Joaquin Quintero.<\/p>\n LaCava and Gloria have voiced opposition to the Pacific Beach proposal, as has U.S. Rep. Scott Peters (D-La Jolla).<\/p>\n Though the state Department of Housing and Community Development has said the state density bonus law can supersede local restrictions, in the Turquoise case HCD sent a \u201ctechnical assistance\u201d letter<\/a> in December saying the city of San Diego could deny the project \u201cby making a written finding, based on substantial evidence, that the [density bonus] incentive does not result in identifiable and actual cost reductions to provide for affordable housing.\u201d<\/p>\n In other words, the city must prove that some or all of the developer\u2019s requested bonuses, waivers and incentives are not necessary to create the project\u2019s 10 affordable housing units.<\/p>\n Opposing the high-rise<\/p>\n A July 19 rally organized by local advocacy group Neighbors for a Better California<\/a> targeted what it calls the \u201cTurquoise Tower\u201d with a crowd the group estimated at\u00a0 500 people.<\/p>\n It was the group\u2019s latest and largest protest against the development. Participants heard speakers voice their concerns about the project and then marched to the proposed site outside The French Gourmet restaurant.<\/p>\n La Jolla resident Trudy Grundland, one of several outspoken opponents of the development, has used social media and word of mouth to encourage locals to sign petitions against the project and contact their legislative representatives with their concerns.<\/p>\n Grundland told the crowd that the tower is an unfair application of state law and that such developments will \u201cforever mess up the area\u201d and set a bad precedent for other coastal communities.<\/p>\n Karen Ventimiglia, who helped organize the rally, lives in the La Jolla Mesa Drive area not far from the proposed site and said she\u2019s especially concerned about blocked views, traffic congestion, complications from construction and potential effects on emergency routes.<\/p>\n SB 79 could make matters worse and strip away local control, she added.<\/p>\n Ventimiglia described the rally as \u201ca true grassroots event\u201d with no hired help or corporate sponsors.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat stood out most was the unity,\u201d she said. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t just a protest, it was neighbors coming together with purpose. People kept saying it felt like a local groundswell \u2014 everyone there was ready to defend what makes our coastal neighborhoods worth fighting for.\u201d<\/p>\n Hoping for \u2018common ground\u2019<\/p>\n Just 30 minutes before, a coalition of housing advocates held a news conference and rally at the development site.<\/p>\n Their event, featuring 15 \u201ccore\u201d participants, focused on SB 79, which they describe as \u201ca critical step forward.\u201d<\/p>\n Harry Bubbins, lead organizer of local advocacy group Respect Bird Rock<\/a> and a board member of the La Jolla Community Planning Association, said he helped coordinate the rally to emphasize the importance of transit-oriented developments in providing needed housing.<\/p>\n \u201cWe need diverse housing options \u2014 not just luxury homes with four-car garages \u2014 to ensure families of all income levels can afford to live in coastal communities like Pacific Beach and La Jolla,\u201d Bubbins told the La Jolla Light. \u201cMulti-unit housing near transit reduces traffic, supports sustainability and creates more inclusive neighborhoods.\u201d<\/p>\n Bubbins added that the scheduling of the event was intentional, believing it would set the tone for a productive conversation about housing solutions. Other discussion points included what the advocates see as a need to decouple parking mandates from housing and attract a wider swath of coastal residents.<\/p>\n \u201cTelling people to move to East County if they want opportunity is not only dismissive but undermines the inclusive, forward-thinking vision our community deserves,\u201d Bubbins said.<\/p>\n \u201cThis [Turquoise Street] development proposal, while bold, serves as an important starting point to address concerns and find common ground. Our rally demonstrated that there\u2019s broad support for multi-unit housing, even if a vocal minority, often already homeowners, tries to drown out the discussion with fear and exclusionary rhetoric.\u201d<\/p>\n La Jollan Catharine Douglass, who participated in the Neighbors for a Better California rally, said \u201cEverybody wants to label [people] a YIMBY [Yes in My Backyard] or a NIMBY [Not in My Backyard]. There\u2019s a lot of in between. It depends on what the project is.\u201d<\/p>\n Matt Awbrey, a spokesman for Kalonymus, told the Light that the company was aware of both rallies.<\/p>\n Of the one presented by the housing advocates, he said\u00a0\u201cwe appreciate this organic, grassroots support for more housing in all San Diego communities, including this one.\u201d<\/p>\n Turning up the heat<\/p>\n The French Gourmet has felt the impact of the Turquoise Street plan in various ways. Not only would it replace the popular restaurant and some other nearby businesses, but owner Michel Malecot says The French Gourmet has been the target of a \u201csilent\u201d community boycott since he sold its property<\/a> to the developer early this year.<\/p>\n In an emailed statement to customers this month, Malecot \u2014 The French Gourmet\u2019s owner for more than 45 years \u2014 said the first five months of 2025 were a \u201cfinancial disaster\u201d for the restaurant, leading him to deplete his personal resources to keep it running after he had announced he would keep it open through the end of the year.<\/p>\n While he understands the community\u2019s frustration with the potential development, the boycott could force him to close earlier than anticipated, he said in the email.<\/p>\n Malecot previously told the Light that he and Kalonymus opened discussions in March 2023 as he was looking toward retirement. Soon after, he said, he received a \u201csubstantial offer\u201d to buy the building.<\/p>\n Malecot said he had \u201cno idea\u201d at the time what the size and scale of Kalonymus\u2019 project would be and that he does not approve of the plan. But he said Kalonymus has \u201cdone everything they need to do\u201d to acquire the property.<\/p>\n More legislation<\/p>\n Discussion is continuing on proposed legislation that would address what some lawmakers see as \u201cloopholes\u201d exposed by the Turquoise proposal.<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/LJL-L-TURQUOISE-RALLIES-01_9cb063.jpg\")
A group of housing advocates gathers July 19 on Turquoise Street in Pacific Beach to promote construction of more multi-unit housing near public transit. (Respect Bird Rock)<\/p>\n![\"This](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/SUT-L-TURQUOISE-010.jpg\")
This area on Turquoise Street in north Pacific Beach, including The French Gourmet restaurant, is planned for a 22-story mixed-use building. (Alejandro Tamayo \/ The San Diego Union-Tribune)<\/p>\n