A large package of new policies that aim to boost business districts in San Diego, spur ambitious housing development and clarify dozens of zoning rules will be presented to the City Council Monday for final approval.
There are also two proposed policy changes that would make it easier to open child care facilities. To be eligible for the streamlined approvals, operators must agree to operate the businesses as child care facilities for at least 10 years. Critics say adjusting significant regulations in such a large batch can shield the changes from the scrutiny they might receive if the council debated them individually.
Councilmember Joe LaCava said last month, when the Land Use and Housing Committee unanimously endorsed the package, that San Diego should be praised for its approach. Public hearings on last year’s package were dominated by debate over a proposal to soften rules allowing taller apartment buildings and more backyard units when a property is near mass transit.
Another key change would let developers convert large shopping malls into mixed-use projects to make housing the primary use. Existing rules say the primary use must remain commercial. The change would apply only to malls of at least 500,000 square feet.