Clairemont residents concerned over 12-unit bonus ADU project

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) – Clairemont residents are pushing back against a proposed ADU development that includes a dozen units on one property. Similar projects have popped up across the city under San Diego’s “bonus ADU” program.

Residents on Shoshoni Avenue say the city needs to balance the need for housing with the character and safety of neighborhoods.

This particular development at 4602 Shoshoni Avenue would include the main house, converting the garage into an ADU, and then five two-story structures with 10 ADUs in the backyard.

“If this thing goes up, our neighborhood will completely change forever,” said Michelle Schroeder, a resident on the street of 30 years.

The neighborhood is predominantly one-story single-family homes and the street itself is a narrow cul-de-sac. There would be no requirements to provide parking for the development. Congestion on the street and ability for emergency vehicles to reach houses on the street are some concerns being raised.

“Our safety is big time. The City needs to come out and do some research here,” said Kevin Morefield who lives next door to the property in question.

The large lot lends the space for developers to take advantage of the city’s bonus ADU program. For every one “affordable” ADU, they can build an additional ADU. The maximum amount allowed is determined by zoning and space on the property.

“When they built Genesee Avenue and Chateau Drive, they backfilled my backyard, this backyard, all the way down and if you go look just halfway down Genesee, you’ll see it starting to crumble,” said Morefield.

Morefield’s family has been at the property since 1955 and says the land may not even be safe to build on based on the backfill.

However because housing is so needed, the City of San Diego says as long as these types of projects comply with ADU regulations, state and local law requires approval.

“The inspectors are really going to have to take their care with signing the permit because if something happens there in the future, it’s going to be their problem not just the developer, not just the owner of the land,” said Mike Schroeder.

“We’ve been fighting for four years is to get the council to come back and take a look at what they’ve done,” said Paul Krueger, volunteer with nonprofit Neighbors for a Better San Diego.

The nonprofit has been tracking these projects closely. To date, the City says it’s approved about 130 density bonus projects, creating 255 “affordable” ADUs.

“One of the biggest failures of this program. They wrote the law to allow to qualify as a moderate-income unit, which means a single person with $89,000 a year is who they’re pegging the rent in the affordable unit,” Krueger said.

These neighbors are now calling on Mayor Todd Gloria and councilmembers to take action.

“Start listening to us. I want them to stop this project and come look at it for themselves,” said Michelle Schroeder.

Councilmember Jennifer Campbell represents the Clairemont area. Her office provided a statement that reads:

“I share the concerns that many residents have expressed about whether our communities can support the increased density that these bonus ADU projects may bring. I am apprehensive about how the increase in density could impact our neighborhoods and place strain on our existing infrastructure and services. I have always opposed changes to parking requirements, especially in places where the public transportation infrastructure is not currently able to serve every resident. I will continue to work on ways to mitigate the impacts of increased density on our neighborhoods, while still meeting the community’s need for more housing.”

The City says the project is currently still in review. The mayor’s office did not respond to requests for comment.

A lawyer for developers SDRE Homebuyers said they plan to issue a formal statement in the future, but could not answer questions in time for this report.