Silvergate

LA MESA GIVES GREEN LIGHT TO SILVERGATE’S LITTLE FLOWER HAVEN DEVELOPMENT, FATE OF DESIGN REVIEW BOARD IN QUESTION

 

By Jonathan Goetz

September 14, 2017 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa City Council gave the green light to Silvergate’s 130-unit apartment development at the site of the former Little Flower Haven Convent on La Mesa Blvd., reversing their earlier 2-2 deadlock.  The item passed 4-0 with Councilman Colin Parent recused because he lives near the site.

The development sparked mass opposition from neighbors, primarily due to a parking variance that allowed 193 parking spaces under a  State "density bonus" law as opposed to 260 spaces under La Mesa municipal code, because 10% of the project will be affordable housing units.

Council insisted their hands were tied and that they risked jail time if they didn’t approve the development.  The reversal comes after the developer’s lawyer sent a letter threatening to sue the city if Council would not approve the project.


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GROUP OPPOSED TO PARK STATION WEIGHS IN ON LITTLE FLOWER HAVEN CONTROVERSY; 2 COUNCILMEMBERS RESPOND

 

By Miriam Raftery

September 12, 2017 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa Village Voice, originally founded to halt the Park Station proposed highrise project, has published an editorial on its Facebook page criticizing a proposed apartment project on the site of the former Little Haven convent The editorial also suggests that a proposal to eliminate the city’s design review board would simply clear hurdles for developers in the future. 

The La Mesa Village Voice editorial states in part, "Do you care about development in the Village? If so, you must read this. You may not be aware of the Little Flower Haven Apartment Complex Development that is being proposed at the old covenant on La Mesa Blvd. It may not affect you, it may not interest you, but the way the council responds to the developers pushing it through should – because it’s a window into the future of La Mesa."

Read the full editorial and discussion, including extensive comments by Council members Guy McWhirter and Kristine Alessio (photos, top left):  https://www.facebook.com/LaMesaVillageVoice/posts/1398618196853750 and see highlights below of the editorial and online responses below.


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