BURN, BABY, BURN Fire in Tecolote Canyon Clairemont 2025
This city has a desert climate. Vegetation dies quickly after winter rains end. The majority of San Diego is hills and valleys, which create fire-prone canyons.
Why did the mayor, who grew up in San Diego, allow ADUs to fill backyards in high fire zones like canyons?
Mayor Todd Gloria knows SD has a severe shortage of firefighters. 1:1,400 residents. The national average is 1:500 residents. SDFD response time is 8 minutes, national average is 5 minutes.
The city plans to eliminate historic designation on vintage homes. This change in the law would allow a developer to demolish a lovely home and build an apartment building. The city would get more taxes!!
SAN DIEGO MAYOR GLORIA, "TRUST ME!
I'm the only one in this city who tells the truth"
The mayor never addresses these issues:
Severe Shortage of Firefighters and Police
Create Forever Renters
Schools, Libraries, Parks?
Local Charm Ruined
Less Family Oriented
The potholes in San Diego's street aren't fixed because the city is broke, yet, Mayor Gloria spent $27.5 Million for a three block concrete bicycle path with lighting and seating, "Pride Promenade" in Hillcrest, to honor the LGBTQ neighborhood. It connects to a 1.2 mile bicycle path.
Todd wants everyone (except himself) to ride a bicycle to work. He gets driven in a chauffeured vehicle the 0.4 miles from his luxury high rise apartment to city hall.
https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/hillcrest-pride-promenade-groundbreaking/3756485/
The city allows unlimited whole house Airbnbs on any street, changing the character of residential neighborhoods, turning quiet streets into hotel corridors.
Vintage homes are not cherished in San Diego. Mayor Gloria embraces the idea that anything older than the internet is useless. The head of the city's Planning Commission, a builder, got a permit to build 91 units next to a beautifully restored Craftsman home in Golden Hill, one of the oldest and most beautiful neighborhoods in San Diego.
The YIMBY Democrats of San Diego officially endorse Mayor Todd Gloria, standing by him as he drives pro-housing initiatives and transit-oriented development.
The mayor's "build more" YIMBY viewpoint, echoed by many city and state politicians, brings in big donations and votes, has failed to create housing that 70% of the locals can afford.
https://obrag.org/2024/11/reader-rant-todd-gloria-has-a-yimby-problem/
https://bluevoterguide.org/endorser-org/YIMBY_Democrats_of_San_Diego/CA/5074
The City of San Diego allows the owners of two separate lots, to build 17.5" apart. Fire hazard? Privacy?
SLUMIFICATION OF SAN DIEGO A Concrete Jungle by 2050
People paying the high rents to live in the new "luxury high rise housing" in "Little Italy" and Downtown are experiencing problems six months after moving in: cheap windows, poor insulation, electrical and plumbing issues. Elevators and security gates that don't work. Reviews below.
The new "affordable" housing for seniors and low income have similar issues.
ADUs are built with the cheapest of materials, with no concern for longevity.
Here's the hidden reason:
In California, developers are strictly liable for hidden ("latent") structural defects for up to 10 years.
Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 337.15, this 10-year "statute of repose" starts from the date of substantial completion, regardless of when the defect is actually discovered
10-Year Statute of Repose
Latent Defects: Hidden flaws not obvious upon reasonable inspection (e.g., faulty foundational work or structural framing) carry a maximum liability of 10 years.
Hard Cutoff:
Once 10 years have passed from project completion, legal claims are entirely barred.
After 10 years a developer is free and clear. They can sell the building as is and make a fortune or convert the units to condos and make more.
WE GOT TAKEN TO THE CLEANERS: Developers in California are given density bonus waivers and "state" money (taxpayers') to build very few "affordable" housing units.
The new apartment buildings and ADUs pass the City of San Diego building inspection, it's not a guarantee of quality materials and workmanship.
Mayor Todd Gloria modified the state ADU law to allow any quantity of units, on cul-de-sacs on high fire hazard canyons, and basically anywhere, without a requirement for off-street parking.
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