The City Council considers the long-awaited franchise agreements with San Diego Gas and Electric.  The current agreements with the utility ends on June 1, 2021.    Councilmembers will address several other important items are on Tuesday’s agenda.

From the Office of Council President Jennifer Campbell 

City Council Meeting – May 25, 2021

There are no items of business for the Closed Session so councilmembers will begin the Open Session Agenda at 11 a.m.  

10 items comprise the consent agenda.    They include two items to declare portions of city land as “Exempt Surplus Land” and an extension for a contract with the University of San Diego’s Energy Policy Initiatives Center for Climate Action Plan Support.

Councilmembers consider five ceremonial proclamations which honor Building Safety Month, Kevin Jones, Peter Kalivas, Russ Gibbon and the 40th Anniversary of the founding of Promises2Kids which provides support to children removed from their homes due to abuse and neglect.

Now to the discussion agenda…

Actions Related to the Award of Gas and Electric Franchises and Cooperation Agreement with San Diego Gas & Electric (Item 330) - San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) has held franchises with the City to provide gas and electric service since 1920. The agreements allow the franchisee to use the public right-of-way to install and maintain the infrastructure, such as pipes, poles and wires, necessary to transmit and distribute energy to San Diego’s residents and businesses. 

The current franchise agreements, signed in 1970, were set to expire on January 17, 2021 but were extended to June 1, 2021.

Related documents can be viewed online:

• Proposed Gas Franchise Ordinance  – Table of Contents
• Proposed Electric Franchise Ordinance – Table of Contents
• Energy Cooperation Agreement

More are available on the agenda.

Appeal of the Del Mar Highlands Estates Amendment – Project No. 655778  (Item 331) – This item was brought before the council previously to give the involved parties an opportunity to come to an agreement. 

This is an appeal of the Planning Commission’s decision to approve Site Development Permit No. 2388324 and Planned Development Permit No. 2388324 also known as the Del Mar Highlands Estates Amendment Project.  It will include the construction of 20 multi-family affordable housing units, 26 multi-family units and six market rate units. 

Derby Terrace, LLC, which owns property near the project has filed an appeal saying the new project design will result in the removal of parking spaces which will leave Derby in violation of the Municipal Code.  City Staff finds the appeal issue to be valid.

32nd and Broadway – Project no. 637438 (Item 332) - The project site is an unimproved property located at the northeast corner of Broadway and 32nd Street, north of State Route 94 (SR-94).  The project proposes to vacate a portion of Broadway and subdivide the property into one lot for the construction of 38 residential condominiums, including 34 market rate and four moderate income for-sale affordable units, with one development incentive, four deviations from the development regulations, and associated onsite and off-site improvements.  The project qualifies as an affordable housing density bonus residential development, and in accordance with San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 14, Article 3, Division 7 is entitled to certain benefits, including density bonus and development incentives.

Home Depot Mission Valley – Project No. 657591  (Item 333) - The project would redevelop the property located at 1545, 1561, and 1895 Camino Del Rio South with a new Scottish Rite Center and Home Depot. The site is currently developed with the Scottish Rite Center, an auto sales building, and surface parking. The areas immediately surrounding the site include a mix of uses, such as office, religious facilities, auto sales, and retail.  The project proposes Planned Development Permit, Site Development Permit, Neighborhood Development Permit, and Public Right-of-Way and Easement Vacations that would allow for the demolition of two existing buildings, including the existing Scottish Rite Center, and the construction of two new buildings.

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