Kensington Terrace

Kensington Terrace is a proposed 52,000 square foot mixed-use development project in the Kensington neighborhood of San Diego, California. The project is controversial. The controversy stems partly because of its size compared to the existing neighborhood buildings, and partly from factors such as the historic houses that would be replaced by the project.

Project Plans

Kensington Terrace is a proposed mixed-use development project that would total 52,000 square feet of commercial, retail, and residential space. The proposed project site is in the Kensington neighborhood of San Diego, California. It would be on the north side of Adams Avenue east of Interstate 15 and the proposed building would occupy the entirety of the block between Marlborough Drive and Edgeware Road. The main building, covering most of the block, would be the first three story building on that section of Adams Ave. The ground floor would have 16,000 SF of retail space, the second floor would have 16,000 SF of office space, and the third floor would be six residential condominiums offered for sale. Abutting that building and occupying the remainder of the lot would be a set of three-story row houses.

History

Despite approval by the Ken-Tal planning group and the San Diego Planning commission, the project's opponents, consisting of over 1,000 neighborhood residents, state that the three-story, one-block project is too large to fit into the small-neighborhood feel of Kensington where most of the other commercial buildings (except for one two-story building built by the same developer) are only one-story. They believe that the traffic study has numerous factual flaws that are under-reporting the impact the project would have upon streets that already are at or below a failing level of service under San Diego's traffic criteria. They are also concerned about the planned demolition of an historic home that currently sits on the site. The developers, including Sunroad principal Richard Vann and architect Allard Jansen, requested and were granted a height variance that allows them to build eight feet higher than allowed in the CN-1-3 zone. Residents fear that this will set a precedent for future development patterns. They filed an appeal with the San Diego City Council to require the city to perform a full Environmental Impact Report as required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The city council went against the advice of the city attorney's office and approved the project with a 5-2 vote. One Councilmember who voted to grant the appeal, Donna Frye, said in explaining her vote, "This is the height buster project." Residents have pledged to file suit under CEQA to force the full EIR to be completed.

The Roy and Dora Bennett historic house proposed for demolition is a 1923 Colonial Revival. This house was identified during the 1996 Mid-City historical resources inventory as a contributing resource to a potential Kensington Historical District. It is located in the original 1910 Kensington Park subdivision, one of San Diego's oldest 'streetcar suburbs'. The house is adjacent to the old trolley line and is a fine example of a small home from the early years of the Better Homes in America Movement, which was spearheaded by Herbert Hoover when he was Secretary of Commerce under President Warren Harding. Under the California Environmental Quality Act, an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) must be prepared when an historically significant resource is proposed for demolition.

The "Heart of Kensington", a neighborhood non-profit organization, filed a lawsuit against the project on March 52008. According to papers filed with the Superior Court, the group seeks judgment on several points, including:

1. That this Court find that by making the final approvals Defendant has not proceedcd in a manner required by law, has not adopted requisite findings, and/or the substantial evidence does not support its decisions;

2. That this Court issue a peremptory writ of mandamus declaring that one or more of the decision(s) rendered by Defendant on or about Felmary 5, 2008, and any additioual resolution(s) of Defendant relating to, or dependent upon the same, are null antl void and of no force and/or legal effect

3. That this Court order Defendant to vacate and set aside each of the decisions nade on or about February 5, 2008, and each of the resolutions, administrative approvals, permits, and any other decisions of Defendant with respect thereto;

4. That there be issued a writ of mandamus ordering ordering Defendant to prepare an EIR within a reasonable date from the issuance of said writ of mandate, in the event the Real Parties or other successor owner/develope wish to pursue the Project.

5. That until such time as Plaintiff's above sclaims can be adjudicated by this Court, Defendant and Real Parties be enjoined, restrained and/or Defendant's February 5, 2008 decisions be stayed from taking effect to preserve the status quo, existing structures and environmental qualities so as to prevent frustration of Plaintiff's and the public's rightful claims and right to judicial review.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/images/080307kensington_complaint.pdf | title=

External links

• Allard Jansen and Associates web page (project architect)
• Kensington Terrace Project Website
• Kensington Terrace Community Impact Site
• Heart of Kensington - A neighborhood group organized to lobby for changes to the project
• Google map of proposed development location