In recent years, the push for housing development has intensified in coastal San Diego communities, but the East County city of El Cajon is facing unique challenges.
According to state data analyzed by Voice of San Diego and KPBS, El Cajon has permitted fewer new homes than any other city in the region from 2018 to 2024, allowing under 10 new homes per 1,000 residents.
Mayor Bill Wells attributes the city’s low housing development rate to a shortage of available land, emphasizing that certain policies are in place to encourage growth.
However, some developers see potential in converting aging single-story strip malls into denser housing options.
Interestingly, neighboring National City has permitted twice as many homes per capita as El Cajon during the same period, yet both cities remain among the most densely populated areas in San Diego County.
In the realm of local governance, the South Bay region is set to welcome a new representative on the county Board of Supervisors after months without one.
Jim Hinch provides insights into the recent District 1 special election that saw Democrat Paloma Aguirre, currently the mayor of Imperial Beach, defeat Republican John McCann, the mayor of Chula Vista.
Looking ahead, Aguirre is scheduled to be sworn in on July 22, raising questions about the next steps in Imperial Beach.
An Imperial Beach councilmember indicated that the City Council may appoint a new mayor instead of holding a special election, anticipating that Deputy Mayor Carol Seabury might serve in the interim.
Meanwhile, in Sacramento, a proposal for a $750 million tax credit package aimed at attracting film and TV productions to California could benefit local filmmakers.
Deborah Brennan explores how this tax credit program may positively impact a burgeoning film studio in the Chula Vista Entertainment Complex.
In other state news, Marines have been dispatched to the San Diego County border, and major reforms to the state’s environmental laws have been implemented, potentially easing the path for housing development.
Additionally, the San Diego City Council’s Land Use and Housing Committee voted unanimously to endorse the conversion of the 101 Ash St. site into affordable housing.
By declaring the building surplus, the committee has set the groundwork for the city to either lease or sell the property.
As the summer season beckons beachgoers, it is crucial to stay informed about potential closures and contamination warnings at local beaches following the Fourth of July celebrations.
In Chula Vista, a new affordable housing development has been approved, although concerns are arising about the lack of sufficient parking in the plan.
This evolving landscape of housing development in the San Diego area underscores the complexities of balancing growth with community needs and resources.
image source from：voiceofsandiego
