My ADU Story
The story of a developer buying a single family home, permit process- how it works, the whole process of being a homeowner who gets a front row seat of watching a backyard transform into an apartment complex, the people involved, the materials used, and the many conflicts that entailed during that process. The timeline of events:
* find out all about the BONUS ADU PROGRAM, what damage you can expect.
*City resources you'll need, if you find yourself the unassuming victim of this carnage. Browse, "Resources" under the ADU tab.
*WHO TO REACH OUT TO: what organizations are for sensible development (because this certainly ain't it) These are grass roots organizations that are for sensible density, not developer led projects that stuff as many apartments in a backyard as possible.
This is more for anyone who just finds out that they get one of these gems next to, behind or across from them, and what you can do, what sources to contact, about it and what you'll have to put up with the next 2+ years, and transitions after that.
GOT TIPS? browse this google page and report one (see menu too)
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.
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 likely 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 is 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...