Overriding some neighbors' concerns that the project would be out of scale and out of character with the surrounding community, San Diego City Council voted 5-2 with one recusal on February 26 to approve the Village at Zion affordable housing project for seniors in Allied Gardens.
The Village at Zion project consists of 60 multifamily residential dwelling units, dedicated for low-income senior citizens, within a two-story building above subterranean parking, located on a vacant site located at 5150 Zion Ave.
District 1 and District 9 Councilmembers Sherri Lightner and Marti Emerald voted to oppose the project.
District 7 Councilman Scott Sherman, who represents Allied Gardens, recused himself from hearing and voting on the project because comments he made about the project during an Allied Gardens Community Council meeting “might have been misinterpreted.” Sherman said, although he felt he could be “impartial” he decided to “err on the side of caution” and recuse himself on the matter.
Speaking to his neighbors, Sherman said, “I want you to understand this is a very fair hearing. That's why I'm taking this action. I leave this decision in the capable hands of my colleagues.”
Several Allied Gardens residents in the predominantly single-family neighborhood, most of them seniors and longtime residents, said they weren't opposed to senior housing or even affordable housing, but that the project was too big and improperly placed.
“This is not a plan that fits the master plan of our community, parking is not sufficient and it will impact parking of our park, pool and library,” said Sharon Dillaway. “There are many children walking by this and putting more cars on the road is endangering those children.”
Neighbor Dick Greenleaf said the project site was originally intended to be a church site and testified that's what it should remain as, that or a park site.
“Allied Gardens is a very unique community in that it's solely single-family residential,” he said. “There is no multi-residential in the area. I believe 90 percent of the people here, if they knew all the facts, would be against this project.”
Marilyn Reed, recent past chair of the Allied Gardens Community Council, presented a petition to the City Council with more than 200 signatures of residents opposing the project.
“The project's too high density and too big and would set a precedent for multi-family residences in a single-family homes neighborhood,” she said. “We need your (council's) help for retaining this property for the entire community's use.”
“This project is 100 percent affordable and 100 percent for seniors,” said attorney Robin Madaffer representing the developers of Village at Zion. Madaffer noted the project will be deed-restricted to provide for affordable housing and seniors only. She added the project was changed architecturally, reduced from three to two stories and had parking changed from surface to underground, to accommodate neighbors' concerns and make it blend in with the surrounding neighborhood.
Madaffer described the site as "perfect" for low-income seniors' housing because of its proximity to transit, nearby amenities, library, senior center and recreation center.
“This project is near shopping, transit, a library and will be a public benefit for low-income seniors who can't live in single-family homes, and will provide an opportunity for residents already living in Allied Gardens who want to stay in the neighborhood, but don't want to or cannot afford to age in their homes,” Madaffer said.
Second District Councilman Kevin Faulconer, who moved staff's recommendation to approve the project, said he was a “strong supporter” of senior housing saying it was necessary to ensure “affordable options” for seniors.
Council president Todd Gloria said low-income senior housing needs to be dispersed throughout the city of San Diego, not just in predominantly low-income areas where much of it now exists.
Ed. note: Robin Madaffer is an owner of Mission Publishing Group, which owns Mission Times Courier.
Ed. note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly noted the vote was 6-2.
