In a recent San Diego City Council meeting, officials discussed a significant proposal to overrule the Airport Land Use Commission's (ALUC) determination regarding a development project at 2345 Kettner Boulevard. The project, which aims to increase land use intensity for a future hotel, restaurant, and office space, has sparked considerable debate due to its proximity to the San Diego International Airport.

Willie Aglupos, a development project manager, presented the case, emphasizing that the proposal does not constitute an approval of the development itself but rather seeks to raise the maximum allowable intensity for future construction. The project site, located in the Northern Little Italy neighborhood, is currently zoned for mixed commercial use, which permits various developments.

The ALUC had previously deemed the project inconsistent with its compatibility plan, which aims to ensure safety and noise compatibility between the airport and surrounding land uses. However, the city council has the authority to overrule this decision, a process that has occurred in similar cases in the past.

The proposal seeks to increase the number of hotel rooms from 32 to 60 and to allow for additional ancillary uses. Aglupos noted that the proposed intensity of 270 people per acre is lower than the average intensity of surrounding blocks, which stands at 309 people per acre. This comparison aims to demonstrate that the project would not exacerbate existing density issues in the area.

Marcela Escobar, president and CEO of Atlantis Group, the applicant for the project, echoed the staff's presentation, arguing that the development would align with the surrounding neighborhood's existing intensity. She highlighted that the project has already received FAA clearance regarding height restrictions, addressing one of the primary concerns associated with airport-adjacent developments.

Public comments during the meeting included support from the Downtown Community Planning Council, which unanimously backed the project. However, concerns were raised about the potential dangers posed by an unrelated traffic expansion project on Grape Street, which some argued could pose a greater risk to public safety than the proposed development.

Following the presentations and public comments, Council Member Woodburn made a motion to approve the staff recommendation to overrule the ALUC's decision, citing the project's alignment with existing neighborhood densities and the thorough evaluation conducted by city staff. The motion received support from other council members, indicating a strong likelihood of approval in the upcoming hearings.

The council's decision will be revisited in a second public hearing, where further discussions and evaluations will take place before a final determination is made.