Golden Hill gentrification continues

The largest undeveloped parcel in Golden Hill, once considered by the Greater Golden Hill Planning Committee as a top choice for a neighborhood park, is now set to become 19 new townhomes. CityMark development acquired the one-acre lot at the southeast corner of 32nd and C for $2.1 million in August. The planning committee approved the project in June.

The lot at 32nd and C has remained undeveloped because the Starcevic family owned it for more than 50 years. Susanna Starcevic sits on the planning committee and recused herself from voting on the project. The land has been vacant since the parcels were mapped in 1871 and 1886.

CityMark has elected to pay what has been dubbed the “in-lieu of” fee instead of building affordable housing. The city of San Diego requires developers of two or more units to pay the fee, or set aside at least 10 percent of the units for affordable housing. Moneys collected from the fees are deposited into the city’s affordable housing fund. The current charge is $10.82 per square foot for ten or more units.

The developer projects the units will sell for $600-$700,000. Each will be three bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms, with a two-car garage. Units will be solar-ready and comply with 30-foot height limit. The developer expects to complete the project by spring/summer 2019.

Because neighborhood median income is $37,944, most current Golden Hill residents will not be able to afford the new homes.