I voted no on two proposed loans to fund the Rose Creek Village development. This affordable residential infill project, located within the City’s Coastal Height Limit Overlay Zone, breaches the 30-foot coastal height limit. Fifty years ago, San Diego voters citywide took to the ballot box to limit the height of new buildings in the coastal area west of Interstate 5 to 30 feet. The measure passed, withstood legal challenges, and has been law since.

San Diego’s housing affordability crisis is undeniable. Affordable, income-restricted housing belongs in every neighborhood and council district. My position is not a statement of merit but of process. We can produce and plan developments that also respect voter mandates.

As we continue efforts to increase housing options across the city, conversations between all active parties must find common ground. Community advocates, elected leaders, developers, and stakeholders can collectively lay out a future for San Diego that upholds the voice of voters and our shared commitment to crafting housing solutions that benefit all residents, both present and future.

The City of San Diego seeks community input from San Diegans who receive trash and recycling collection services from the Environmental Services Department (ESD) to determine what San Diegans want and need out of their collection services. Starting in early August, a series of open house meetings will be held to evaluate the level and types of service provided by ESD and how that might impact the cost of services for residential properties.

In 2022, Measure B amended the “People’s Ordinance” to allow the City to charge a cost-recovery fee for its trash and recycling collection services. Such a fee would apply to approximately 285,000 residential properties currently serviced by the City. This includes single-family homes and residential complexes of four or fewer units that meet City requirements for City-provided trash and recycling collection.

Implementing Measure B will enhance services and create a fair system of collection services. It’s important to note that the City cannot recover more than the cost of providing the services as determined by an extensive Cost-of-Service Study which will be subject to public review and comment.

I am proud to stand with Townspeople San Diego and partners Regional Task Force on Homelessness San Diego and Father Joe's Villages, in launching a 100-day challenge to place 75 individuals experiencing homelessness into permanent shared housing. We must explore all avenues to reach and serve as many unhoused San Diegans as possible, and shared housing can maximize roofs over heads. Shared housing is more housing. Thank you to all who are collaborating on this effort. If you are a landlord or an individual/family that could use a rent-sharing roommate, let us know!

Thank you, Chief Stowell, for your exemplary service to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department and the City of San Diego. For 36 years, Chief Stowell protected our communities and residents. Congratulations on your well-deserved retirement!