OB: A HistoricAL district

OB was previously designated by the City of San Diego as a Historical District.

In the 1960s there was a Jonie Mitchell song called Big Yellow Taxi, which had a line that went like this, “You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone, they paved Paradise and put up a parking lot.”  I hope we, as a community, and you who are supposed to represent us, champion the essence of OB.

Everyone I know wants something new and beautiful on the corner at Point Loma Ave. and Ebers.  Those of us who live within 500 to 1000 feet certainly want that.  However, the options we have had in the past included alcohol sales and onsite consumption in a family neighborhood, first the VFW and then a Sports Bar.  

Now,  the new Complete Communities Housing Solution program devised by the City and the Mayor, for the first time, is attempting to put a 20 unit structure inside of the OB Emerging Cottage District.  A structure that requires no parking spaces and provides 3.5 spots for parking for 20+ tenants.  A project that has waivers for common grounds and landscaping, and if measured honestly, is above the 30 foot coastal zone limits. 

We cannot ignore the need for landscaping. Trees and  pollinating plants for bees and birds cannot be left out.  The earth cannot live and support us if we don’t support her.  Instead of increasing cement structures we should be demanding more planting that will  improve soil and air quality which is part of the solution to climate change. 

We would support an 8 unit structure that has a well planned, environmentally strong  common ground and landscaping.

We do not support paving over this Paradise that we know as Ocean Beach.