One of many....

MY ADU STORY

WHAT NOW??!!!????

This is haphazard development, overrunning every single neighborhood in San Diego.   See the following links for information on how you can better informed in this process instead of going, "WTF just happened?????!!!"

COSD information on the : BONUS ADU PROGRAM.

Okay , so you got one of these “ADU” gems (they’re apartment buildings) behind, aside, in front, over, you. Now what????

First, let me introduce you to the COSD's description of the BONUS ADU PROGRAM:  https://www.sandiego.gov/planning/work/housing/toolkit/accessory-dwelling-units

Then, you will see construction fencing, and bobcats with buckets, all without letting you know that something is up at the property next to you, or in your vicinity.   The  City's ministerial process allows them to not have to alert anyone that big changes are happening.... all for the worse.

Get ready for a poor experience. The developer will not care about your privacy, your neighborhood. He will not be living there, and leaves all the problems associated with high density on the homeowners, along with the buildup to it… the players involved in the permitting and building process.
You can thank your City representatives for this mess you find yourself in, as many of us have owned in this neighborhood for 20, 30, 50 years.

You will deal with City officials who don’t answer inquiries (some do, but it’s a small percentage) You will deal with faceless planners at the DSD that will not review the actual physical jobsite, but only check boxes. There are junior planners approving large scale projects.

You will learn about your political landscape.

You will likely be calling on the media to expose this garbage.

You will go to a few council meetings, and maybe, you’ll overcome your fear of public speaking. You will have to advocate for your own privacy, by being involved in the permitting process, by finding things wrong with the project (we were successfully able to require them to put in fire sprinklers in all units because the two back buildings were more than 150’ from the property line—this may of led to that requirement in the revised version of the bonus ADU program) you will likely attend protests all of this may not make a difference, but if more people get involved, the more our elected officials will notice, as a full room of PO’d homeowners in the council chambers does make people notice up top.  Maybe, they'll own up to this being a complete disaster, like the bait and switch trash fees, paid parking at Balboa Park, and whichever Einstein thought closing bathrooms on Mission Bay was a great idea in the middle of tourist season.    Remember, if there is anyone from San  Diego running for a higher office, run for the hills!    

You might even go as far as to help others navigate this same situation, down the line that the City and our council members continue to throw at us, creating a resource page (who to contact)

Here’s been my experience:
This whole process is ministerial. That means the City doesn’t have to tell you squat that a large apartment building is getting plopped into the backyard next to you. If you don’t have noisy neighbors or a renter who makes noise while on their way out, abruptly, you only find out when the parcel is surrounded by construction fencing, and the no-name construction company fires up the engines of the bobcats, with those buckets.
Trying to meet with the developer? He might meet, but won’t change anything in the plans to circumvent your privacy, nor will he bring the plans so you can take early action to protect yourself.  

You really can’t be nice to these people. They are crapping on you, your neighborhood. Giving you the finger. They’re in it for the money only. Doesn’t matter that it’s a neighborhood with a bunch of 20 year plus homeowners

Your council member will not support you. That was my experience with Sean Elo-Rivera. I have only met him through zoom, on a 1-1.   You will need to go to the DSD, Civil Enforcement, National Mediation, because his office, "won't get involved in civil issues"   He, and his bloated office staff, are completely useless.

Heck, there's an apartment reference page, to show that there are many many places that offer quite a bit more (amenities, better pricing) than this "opportunity" at 5250 Adams,    Go outside the box, as there is more options than just the SDHC and the bONUS ADU PROGRAM.

Want more entertainment and pictures of how they kept their jobsite, wind your way here.

There's more where that came from...