SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The San Diego City Council approved sweeping amendments to the city’s ADU regulations and bonus ADU program, most significantly limiting the amount of units that will now be allowed on a single lot.
The decision was made after several hours of public comment, from nearly 200 people speaking out at the meeting.
“We all know we need housing, but apartment buildings in our backyard, not being able to get out of our driveways, can’t put our trash cans down, it’s gotten completely out of control,” Judy Mitchell said.
Some of the proposed changes include: evacuation route access, fire sprinkler installation, parking requirements for certain developments not close to transit and community enhancement fees that would go toward improving local infrastructure.
Likely the most significant suggestion was capping the number of ADUs allowed on a lot which up until now, was essentially unlimited. For every one affordable unit, developers could build one at market rate.
“Our projects range and size from six to 12 units and that’s because we found a niche that serves a dire need for workforce housing,” said Daniel Shkolnik, CEO of Atlas West.
Developers opposed this idea, while the local residents highlighted some of the projects that have brought more than a dozen, or in some cases, dozens of units to a single property.
Councilmembers ultimately narrowly passed the list of amendments in a five to four vote, mostly at odds over limiting the number of ADUs to four, five or six depending on lot size.
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