By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left:  Current structure on site, from city documents

July 26, 2017 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa City Council, at its August 8 meeting at 6 p.m. will consider the a proposal to build 130 apartment units on the former Little Flowers Haven convent site at 8585 la Mesa Blvd.  The key controversy centers around parking concerns raised by nearby residents.

Silvergate Development has taken advantage of a state law meant to encourage affordable housing.  In exchange for dedicated 10 percent of the project to units that fit the state’s definition of affordable housing for 55 years, the developer would be allowed to provide 25 percent fewer parking spaces than La Mesa normally requires. 

On a local community online forum, numerous residents have voiced concerns and at times, outrage.