San Diego Zoning Decisions: October 2026

In October 2026, San Diego held 10 public meetings covering zoning matters. 7 zoning decisions had a recorded outcome this month: 6 approved (100% approval rate), 1 deferred. Activity was up 532% compared to September (57 activity items across 7 meetings).

Zoning Decisions This Month

City View rezone, GPA/CPA and vesting tentative map at 11818 Bernardo Plaza Court

Approved.

The Commission recommended that City Council approve the following for a 5.5-acre site of existing office buildings: adoption of a single condition negative declaration; a General Plan and Rancho Bernardo Community Plan amendment from commercial to medium density residential (14-29 du/ac); a rezone from CC-2-3 to RM-2-5 allowing up to 160 units; and a vesting tentative map for 122 for-sale townhomes, including 13 affordable units. Three affordable-housing waivers were included: front setback reduced from 15 to 8 ft, retaining walls up to 20 ft, and elimination of loading spaces. The applicant is KB Home. The Rancho Bernardo Planning Group voted to recommend denial. Motion by Vice Chair Boomhauer, second by Commissioner Mazzari; passed unanimously.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

2020 SeaWorld Master Plan Update at 500 SeaWorld Drive

Approved.

Approved the 2020 SeaWorld Master Plan Update (project 0646353) for the 189.4-acre city-leased SeaWorld San Diego marine theme park in Mission Bay Regional Park. The action adopts an addendum to the 2001 EIR and an MMRP, with corresponding amendments to the General Plan and to the Mission Bay Park Master Plan/Local Coastal Program Land Use Plan. The plan shifts from site-specific to area-specific development criteria across five planning areas, with no new development or footprint change. It adds multimodal, sustainability, and sea-level-rise provisions. The Coastal Commission retains final approval. Planning Commission voted to recommend approval, with a provision to phase out fireworks within five years if drones are permitted; staff did not incorporate that language. Council's amendment caps fireworks at 60 per year, and at no more than 30 per year if drone shows proceed, and updates drone CDP history (CDP 6-26-0102). Economic Development confirmed SeaWorld is current on its lease. Vote, Moreno absent.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Appeal of hearing officer decision - 10509 Vista Sorrento Parkway (Sorrento Summit South)

Approved.

Council denied the appeal by Supporters Alliance for Environmental Responsibility (SAFER), represented by LaSalle Drury LLP and attorney Aleja Crutcher. It affirmed the hearing officer's approval of a Coastal Development Permit, Neighborhood Development Permit (alternate method of calculating building square footage in MCAS Miramar APZ2), Site Development Permit (ESL/MHPA), and a public service easement vacation. The 5.58-acre site is zoned IL-3-1 in the Mira Mesa Community Plan area. The project demolishes an existing 4-story, 84,000 sq ft office building and builds, in phases, a 4-story ~112,400 sq ft office building and a 6-story parking garage of about 189,780 sq ft. The applicant is Healthpeak Properties. The CEQA 15162 consistency evaluation was ruled not appealable. The Mira Mesa Community Planning Group had recommended approval-1. The clerk announced the vote as 'passes unanimously, five to four,' with Moreno, Campillo, Foster and Von Wilpert absent.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Midway Rising Disposition and Development Agreement – Sports Arena site

Approved.

The committee forwarded the DDA between the City and Midway Rising LLC to City Council on a 4-0 vote. The site is the ~48-acre city-owned Sports Arena property in the Midway-Pacific Highway community. The approval also certifies the Subsequent EIR (findings, statement of overriding considerations, MMRP), authorizes the Mayor to sign, waives Council Policy 700-10, and authorizes the CFO to accept DDA and ground lease payments. Program: 2,000 affordable units (30-80% AMI, average not to exceed 60%, including 200 permanent supportive units), 2,250 market-rate units, a 16,000-seat arena, 130,000 sq ft retail/commercial, 7,000+ parking spaces, 14.5 acres of parks, and all infrastructure. Total cost is $4.2B. Vertical ground leases run 85 years. Rent terms: 0.5% of modified gross revenue in years 0-55 and 2.5% in years 56-85, with a minimum rent rising to $2M. Arena ticket fee is $1.50 per ticket escalating 3%, abated for 10 years, with 75% behind a 16.5% levered IRR hurdle. The IBA found the deal fair and reasonable. Motion by Chair Lee, second by Elo-Rivera.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

3425 Wilshire Terrace small lot subdivision

Approved.

The Commission approved a Site Development Permit (PMT 3234558) and Tentative Map (PMT 3234559) subdividing a 0.17-acre RM-3-7 lot in North Park into five lots with single dwelling units. Approval includes a waiver of undergrounding of off-site overhead utilities. Passed unanimously.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Status of Loan Portfolio FY2026 Q4 (HA2)

Deferred.

Informational report by the San Diego Housing Commission on the loan portfolio. As of June 30, 2026, the portfolio totaled over $596 million with 1,714 active loans (78% multifamily). FY2026 closed $31.4 million in funding producing 420 affordable units; 603 units completed construction; default rate of 0.08%. No action required.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Temporary 45-day moratorium on data center development

Approved.

Urgency interim ordinance under Gov. Code 65858 pausing acceptance, processing and approval of any permit or entitlement for establishing, expanding, converting or intensifying data center uses citywide for 45 days; extendable by 4/5 vote for 10 months 15 days. Exemptions for accessory server rooms, public safety/emergency facilities, telecom carrier and public utility facilities, on-site computer equipment, and minor repairs not increasing floor area, electrical or water demand. CEQA exempt under 15061(b)(3) and 15308. Prompted by reported 400 MW hyperscale data center explored by Doug Manchester/Manchester Financial at the federally owned NAVWAR site (outside city land-use authority). Mayor's executive order creates a data center stakeholder working group; Land Development Code amendments to return next year. Passed; motion by Elo-Rivera, second by Council President Pro Tem Lee.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Zoning Changes

• CC-2-3 → RM-2-5, 5.5 acres at 11818 Bernardo Plaza Court, Rancho Bernardo (KB Home)

Top Keywords This Month

• land use: 46 instances
• commercial: 42 instances
• residential: 39 instances
• density: 24 instances
• adu: 21 instances

What to Watch

• Land use mentions were up 820% from September.
• Commercial came up 740% more often than September.
• Residential saw 388% more mentions month-over-month.
• Density increased 243% compared to September.
• Adu is new this month with 21 mentions, not present in September.

Stay on Top of San Diego Meetings

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