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Council approves 40th & C Street project amid neighbor objections over parking, fire safety and community benefits
Summary
After hours of testimony from neighbors who raised concerns about parking, access, fire safety and lack of community benefits, the City Council approved the 40th & C Street subdivision project, which proposes 11 single-family homes plus 18 ADUs (29 total units) and several deviations; staff said the project was deemed complete in September 2022 and complies with rules in effect at that time.
The City Council voted to approve the 40th & C Street development on Dec. 8 despite extensive public opposition from nearby residents who said the 29-unit project would worsen parking shortages, complicate emergency access in a very-high fire-hazard area and provide little community benefit.
Development Services staff and the applicant said the proposal would consolidate 16 parcels into 10 lots, build 11 single‑family homes and 18 accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and vacate portions of undeveloped right-of-way. Staff described the project as consistent with the Southeastern San Diego community plan and the certified PEIR, noting mitigation measures for biological and paleontological resources. The project was deemed complete on Sept. 2, 2022, a date councilors cited repeatedly when discussing which regulations apply.
Neighbors, community members and local advocates raised multiple objections: insufficient parking for ADU residents, safety and evacuation questions in a high fire‑hazard zone, alleged inadequate notice to residents, and requests that proceeds or vacated rights-of-way be used for community infrastructure such as park improvements. Speakers asked the developer to prioritize sale opportunities for local residents and to coordinate with neighborhood groups.
Developer John Allen of Streamline Development Group said the approach avoided excessive grading and environmental impacts and offered to work with the community to explore purchase opportunities and other community benefits.
Fire-rescue officials told the council that the project’s private-drive configuration must maintain a 20-foot unobstructed width (with red curb or fire-lane signage) to ensure apparatus access; council members pressed staff and the fire marshal on how street width and parking enforcement would be enforced during and after construction.
The council approved the staff recommendation; the clerk recorded the vote as unanimously passing 8–0 with Councilmember Campbell absent. Several council members acknowledged community concerns and asked the developer to meet with neighborhood groups and to prioritize park and infrastructure needs in follow-ups.
