City Council unanimously approves Campus Point Master Plan expansion

The San Diego City Council unanimously approved City staff'recommended actions to expand an existing science and research and development campus at Campus Pointe, voting to authorize the project at their Sept. 11 meeting.

Jeff Peterson, the development project manager for the item, told the council the proposal would add about 328,000 square feet to the Campus Point campus and includes new multi‑story buildings, a parking structure and site improvements. Peterson said staff'recommended approvals include conditions such as monitoring a transportation demand management plan for 10 years and fast‑tracking a share of electric vehicle charging stations.

Dan Ryan of Alexandria Real Estate Equities, speaking for an organized group of supporters, said the applicant has pledged to reduce a previously proposed tower from 12 stories and to help fund bicycle and trail connections and other on‑site amenities. "We take great pride in our sustainability," Ryan said, describing pedestrian, bicycle and sustainability features the applicant plans to deliver.

Council members asked staff and the applicants about parking ratios and the effect of reducing building height on future revenue. Peterson said the changes do not reduce total square footage and that the reduction was largely aesthetic.

Deputy City Attorney Keely Halsey clarified that the motion adopted by the council reflected staff'recommended conditions and did not formally incorporate two voluntary commitments the applicant offered for additional public benefit. The council then voted to approve the project; the clerk recorded a unanimous roll call.

The council'approved motion directs staff to finalize the permit consistent with the planning commission and staff findings. The approval was for the expansion only; subsequent project‑level reviews and ministerial permits were discussed as the next steps.