Councilmembers will consider amending the lease agreement with the San Diego Zoo to allow the non-profit to adjust parking fees at their Balboa Park parking lot. They will also hear a report on physical and social infrastructure projects linking Balboa Park, San Diego High School, San Diego City College, and Downtown San Diego.

From the Office of Council President Joe LaCava 

City Council Meeting – September 8, 2025 – 10 a.m.

Council Meeting Agenda

10 a.m. – Closed Session Public Comment, Closed Session – Agenda

2 p.m. – Discussion Items, Non-agenda Public Comment

Discussion Items

Item S400 - Authorize the First Amendment to Lease Agreement Between the City of San Diego and the Zoological Society of San Diego for the San Diego Zoo Property Located in Balboa Park

This item proposes a First Amendment to the Lease Agreement between the City of San Diego and the Zoological Society of San Diego for the San Diego Zoo property located in Balboa Park (Attachment A) and a related waiver of Part V(C)(6) of Council Policy 700-10 to enable the Zoo to adjust parking fees within the Zoo Parking Lot. 

Item S402 - Balboa Park/San Diego High School Connect

The Balboa Park/San Diego High School Connections Working Group will present recommendations from their report on physical and social infrastructure projects linking Balboa Park, San Diego High School, San Diego City College, and Downtown San Diego.

On October 8, 2021, the City Council approved a 99-year lease with the San Diego Unified School District for use of a portion of Balboa Park located adjacent to Park Boulevard and Interstate 5 for San Diego High School (SDHS).

During that hearing, then-Councilmember Joe LaCava and Councilmember Stephen Whitburn requested the formation of a stakeholder working group to better connect Balboa Park, San Diego High School, San Diego City College, and the East Village neighborhood of Downtown. The resulting action was the formation of the Balboa Park/San Diego High School Connections Working Group, which was convened in early 2022 and produced a final report in September 2024 titled, “Balboa Park/San Diego High School Connections: Connecting Neighbors, Parks, Schools, Jobs, Culture.” The final report was completed in conjunction with position papers produced by the Burnham Center for Community Advancement and the Downtown San Diego Partnership.

Item S403 – Approval of an Affordable Housing Loan Agreement with 73rd Street Investors, L.P., in an Amount of $3,000,000 for the 73rd Street Apartments Affordable Housing Project. (Added 9/5/25)

The proposed Loan Agreement between the City of San Diego and 73rd Street Investors, L.P., a California limited partnership, provides a loan for the 73rd Street Apartments affordable housing project in an amount of $3,000,000.

The Project is located on County-owned land located at 5001 73rd Street, in the College Area Community Plan. The Project will include the new construction of 120 residential apartments, including 119 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments affordable on a long-term basis for small to large family households earning between 30% to 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI).

Other funding sources will provide financing and supportive services for 30 of the affordable apartments for persons who are experiencing or at-risk of homelessness. The Developer plans to apply for financing sources in the summer of 2025, and tax credits in early 2026. If successful, construction could begin in the fourth quarter of 2026.

Item S404 - Approval of an Affordable Housing Loan Agreement with Market Street Senior Housing, L.P., in an Amount of $5,000,000 for the Market Street Apartments Affordable Housing Project. (Added 9/5/25)

The proposed Loan Agreement between the City of San Diego and Market Street Senior Housing, L.P., provides a loan for the Market Street Apartments affordable housing project for senior citizens in an amount of $5,000,000.

The Project is located on County-owned land located at 4588 Market Street, in the Chollas View neighborhood of the Encanto Community Plan Area. The Project will include the new construction of 138 residential apartments, including 137 one-bedroom apartments for senior households, affordable on a long-term basis to households earning between 30% to 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI).

The Developer plans to apply for financing in the fall of 2025, and tax credits in early 2026, and if successful, could begin construction in the fourth quarter of 2026.

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