San Diego is moving forward with plans for a major new community that would bring more than 5,100 affordable homes to the area, even as some private landowners argue the rezoning could significantly reduce their property values.
The proposed Southwest Village project in Otay Mesa would cover nearly 490 acres, much of it owned by the city, with Tri Pointe Homes set to develop the site.
City Council members have already approved the large-scale plan, which calls for a mix of affordable and market-rate housing, along with a school, parks, 175,000 square feet of retail space and more than 200 acres preserved as open space, according to project documents.
The proposal has drawn criticism from nearby property owners, who say they were largely excluded from the planning process and were not given a meaningful opportunity to voice concerns before the project moved ahead.
Because the development overlaps with protected habitat, portions of the area would need to be rezoned. Tri Pointe is currently working with federal wildlife officials to determine how the project can proceed while complying with environmental regulations, NBC San Diego reported.
Some landowners fear the city’s revised boundaries could limit what they are able to do with their own parcels in the future. Supporters, however, say the project would help address San Diego’s ongoing need for more housing.
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At Monday’s City Council meeting, longtime landowner Tony Blas made clear he does not intend to give up his property without a fight.
Blas, who has owned his piece of Otay Mesa for four decades, said he’s spent years trying to develop the land. His troubles began after San Diego annexed the area from the county and ordered several buildings on the property demolished for violating city building codes.
“Where is the law where the city has the right with the developer to change and down zone our properties? That is not right,” he said, according to the news outlet.
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Another person, whose father bought a piece of land 40 years ago, said that their father has waited patiently for far too long to “plant seeds of generational wealth” for the family.
“I think it’s really sad that San Diego natives are being pushed out and aren’t able to even build one home for their families, let alone 5100 for people to come to San Diego and make it more competitive for us natives to be here. I think it’s really important that you see the faces of the people being affected,” said another property owner attending the meeting, NBC reported.
