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Council approves Otay Mesa rezone to industrial despite environmental group's request for an EIR
Summary
The council voted 7–0 to rezone a 5.58‑acre Otay Mesa site from medium residential to light industrial, concluding the site is within airport safety/noise zones that preclude housing; environmental advocates urged a project‑level EIR citing air quality and biological risks.
The City Council on June 3 approved a general plan amendment and rezone to change a 5.58‑acre site in Otay Mesa from medium residential to light industrial, concluding the property’s location within airport safety and noise overlays makes residential uses infeasible.
Sarah Osborne of Development Services told the council the site lies mostly within the Brown Field Municipal Airport safety zone and the 65–70 decibel noise contour, which, she said, prevents safe residential occupancy. Staff said the Otay Mesa Planning Group and the Planning Commission had recommended approval and that state law (SB 330) does not bar the change because the site cannot be used for housing due to airport restrictions.
Supporters Alliance for Environmental Responsibility (SAFER) urged the council to defer approval and prepare a project‑level environmental impact report, arguing the addendum did not adequately analyze diesel particulate matter risks and potential impacts to biological resources and special‑status species. "Calculating the excess cancer risk...they found that the excess cancer risk greatly exceeds San Diego County Air Pollution Control District's significance threshold," attorney Mitchell Thielman said.
Council Member Chris Moreno moved to approve the staff recommendation; Council President Pro Tem Lee seconded. The council voted unanimously, 7–0, to approve the general plan amendment, rezone and associated addendum.
Why it matters: the action formally changes the land‑use designation and clears the way for future industrial development on that parcel in Otay Mesa. Opponents said the environmental analysis was incomplete and requested mitigation measures including cleaner engines and further biological surveys. Staff and commissioners said the site's airport overlays and noise contours limit residential use and that the city’s remaining housing inventory can meet required allocations.
