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Council approves East Village gas‑station expansion; Hillcrest right‑of‑way vacation also cleared
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Summary
The council approved a neighborhood‑use permit allowing expansion of a Market Street gas station with driveway deviations, 7–2, and separately approved a narrow vacation of a portion of Harvey Milk Street (vacation passed 8–0 with a recusal). Supporters said the projects improve blighted sites; opponents raised pedestrian and planning‑policy concerns.
The San Diego City Council on April 21 approved two land‑use items affecting neighborhood circulation and public right‑of‑way.
In downtown’s East Village the council voted 7–2 to approve a project at 1606 Market Street that expands an existing gas‑station convenience market to add a food and beverage vendor and a new drive‑through lane. Staff said the project went through an extended CEQA review path, that earlier unresolved driveway information had delayed the item, and that subsequent submittals allowed staff to complete the environmental consistency analysis with the certified Downtown Program EIR. Development Services staff reported the approved design reduces total driveway footage by about 66 feet compared with current conditions but requires multiple deviations from the municipal code (increasing combined curb‑cut length, allowing additional curb cuts on Market Street and reducing required separation distances).
James Alexander of the Development Services Department described traffic and pedestrian analysis and recommended findings for approval if council affirmed the draft resolution. The applicant’s representative asked the council to approve the project, saying the applicants had worked extensively with staff.
Councilmember Whitburn moved approval and said the project upgrades sidewalks, adds street trees, installs a concrete bus pad and relocates a bus stop to a better position, and that the site will be an improvement over its existing condition. Councilmember Elo Rivera opposed approval, saying the requested deviations were “meaningful and impactful” and ran counter to pedestrian‑first priorities in the Downtown Community Plan. The motion passed 7–2 (record shows Council President Lacava and Councilmember Elo Rivera voting no).
The council also approved a public right‑of‑way vacation in Hillcrest for a small 11‑foot by ~100‑foot strip of Harvey Milk Street adjacent to 3912 Center Street. Staff said the portion had been privately improved for the abutting parcel, contained no public utilities, and was not needed for street or highway purposes. The Uptown Community Planning Group had recommended approval. Councilmember Whitburn moved the vacation and the measure passed 8–0 with Councilmember Von Wilpert recused.
Public commenters at the East Village hearing urged the council to reduce the number of pumps and flagged pedestrian safety and circulation concerns at the Market/16th–17th intersection; proponents argued the project would revitalize a long‑standing commercial corner. The downtown community planning council had recommended denial unless changes were made; staff and the applicant said additional information had been supplied after that vote.
The council adopted resolutions to approve the neighborhood use permit and the public right‑of‑way vacation; staff will implement conditions and required public‑right‑of‑way upgrades and monitor the approved deviations.
