Dear Inquirer,
Last week, the City Council took important steps to clarify and strengthen San Diego's historic designation process. For too long, aspects of this process have created confusion for applicants and community members - particularly when appeals reached the Council with strict limitations on what could be considered.
The amendments also reaffirm an important principle: We can preserve truly historic resources while continuing to advance housing solutions. Complete Communities projects will remain allowed within Thematic and Emerging Historic Districts so long as a property is not a Designated Historic Resource, which is consistent with long-standing City policy and procedures.
In communities like Ocean Beach, where the Ocean Beach Cottage Emerging Historical District was established in 1999, only 72 out of roughly 3000 parcels - just 2.4% - have been designated as historic over the past 27 years. In contrast, in the Historic District of Sherman Heights, 74% of the homes are Designated Historic. These clarifications help to ensure the maintenance of our history while making progress possible.
|
Councilmember Jennifer Campbell
District 2
San Diego City Council
|
Public Hearing on FY27 Budget
On February 23, the City Council held its first public comment hearing for the Fiscal Year 2027 budget development cycle. Residents provided in-person and virtual testimony on their priorities for the upcoming budget to help give Mayor Gloria and the City Council a deeper look at what issues are most important to residents. In our District 2, we have heard from hundreds of residents. The top three priorities mentioned by our residents are #1 Public safety, #2 Reducing homelessness and #3 Fixing our roads. Please continue to let our office know your views about the budget by clicking the button below this paragraph. The next public comment hearing for the FY27 budget will take place on Tuesday, March 10 at 6pm. Residents can provide feedback in Council Chambers or virtually using the call-in options on the City Clerk's website.
|
Measure C Funding Allocation for Convention Center Modernization Projects
On February 23, the Council approved the allocation of funds collected under Measure C toward Convention Center Modernization Projects. The approval also established an itemized budget for the Convention Center Revenue Account, which was created under the same measure. Measure C, which was passed by the voters in 2020, increased the City's Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) and directed part of the revenue toward homelessness programs, street repairs, and improvements to San Diego's Convention Center. After delays due to legal challenges, the measure went into effect on May 1, 2025, and has already gathered approximately $8.5 million from TOT, which is paid by visitors who stay in short-term vacation rentals as well as hotels and motels. Remember that Whole Home STVRs are limited to only 1% of the city's housing but are contributing a lot to the City's budget.
Empty Homes Tax Ballot Measure Proposal
On Tuesday, the City Council approved a proposal for the June 2026 primary ballot that would create an excise tax on second homes left empty for more than 182 days per calendar year. The tax would not apply to properties that are rented or primary residences, and exemptions will be in place for certain conditions, such as military deployment or in the wake of major damage due to a disaster.
|
Clairemont Coffee | 3095 Clairemont Drive
Located at 3095 Clairemont Drive (92117), Clairemont Coffee is a great local business. Sister-in-law owners Hannah and Casey have been running Clairemont Coffee for over five years. They use fresh organic coffee to make all of their coffees, from classics to specialty drinks, such as the Tropical Irishman latte. Their acai bowls and smoothies are also highly requested. Come before a busy workday or for an afternoon snack. For more information, click the button below.
|
Council District 2 Budget Priority Survey
As we enter into "budget season" for the City, we must face financial realities and make decisions that are both reasonable and fiscally sound. Some of my top priorities for the upcoming budget cycle include public safety, homeless solutions, and neighborhood infrastructure. If you want to share your ideas and priorities for this year's budget with me, please click the button below to complete the District 2 Budget Priority Survey.
|
Next Phase of Work for Pure Water SD - Morena Conveyance South & Middle
Beginning February 2, crews started working on the Morena Conveyance South & Middle at the intersection of Morena Blvd. and Milton St. Please be advised that the intersection of Morena Blvd. and Milton St. will be closed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for three weeks. Crews will install two new pipelines that will connect to the previously constructed pipeline on Milton St., marking a major milestone for the Pure Water Program. A detour route will be in place throughout this three-week phase of work. Crews will be performing work from 7am to 3:30pm Monday through Friday, for approximately three weeks. This schedule is subject to change. For your safety, please follow all posted signage.
|
Emilio Nares Foundation "Healing Through Nature" Program
The Emilio Nares Foundation is now accepting families to join the spring and summer classes for their Healing Through Nature Program, a free and family-centered wellness program for families of children in cancer remission or recovering from a life-threatening condition. The program includes guided outdoor experiences, therapeutic nature-based activities for children and caregivers, financial education, and mindfulness resources all offered in both English and Spanish. There is no income requirement, and the program is open to families with a child aged 0-18 in any stage of survivorship from childhood cancer or a life-threatening condition. For more information, click the button below.
|
Solid Waste Management Fee Financial Assistance Program
The City of San Diego and the Metropolitan Area Advisory Committee on Anti-Poverty (MAAC) have partnered to launch the Solid Waste Management Fee Financial Assistance Program to help eligible homeowners reduce out-of-pocket costs for their trash and recycling fees. Assistance is first-come, first-served through April 2026. You may be eligible if you own and live in your home as your primary residence, receive City trash and recycling service, and you either have a household median income that meets the threshold below, or someone in your household is enrolled in Medi-Cal, CalFresh, CalWORKS, or the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. To learn more and apply, click the button below.
|
Clairemont Mesa Trash Pickup Event
On February 19, staff from the Environmental Services Department (ESD) completed a trash pickup event for some parts of Bay Park. Our ESD collected 2.3 tons of waste, helping to serve the residents of District 2.
|
San Diego Housing Commission First-Time Homebuyer Program
Homeownership in the City of San Diego is within reach for middle-income families with assistance available from the San Diego Housing Commission's Middle-Income First-Time Homebuyer program. Eligible households can receive a low-interest, deferred-payment loan and a grant toward closing costs - a total of $50,000 to support their home purchase. To learn more, click the button below.
|
AgeWell Services' 50th Annual Talent Show
AgeWell Services is excited to celebrate its 50th Annual Talent Show where residents aged 60 and better can share their talents with the community! This year's event will be a two-day celebration, giving participants the change to perform on one or both days, scheduled for Tuesday, March 17 and Wednesday, March 18, 2026. The talent show will take place at the Fourth District Seniors Resource Center, located at 570 S 65th St, San Diego, CA 92114.
|
Delivery of New Trash Bins Has Begun
The City's Environmental Services Department has delivered new gray trash bins to households eligible for City-provided trash service. Customers can look up when the delivery of new blue cans will occur for their neighborhood, and crews will remove the old blue bins on that same day. The delivery process is expected to continue over the course of several months, and Environmental Services will notify customers about their bin delivery date through mailers to the property owner's address. To learn more about the delivery of new bins and see when your bin delivery date will be, you can click the button below or look online through your Residential Waste Collection Services Portal.
|
Have a question or need assistance from the City? Contact your respective Community Representative from my Office. Please note that some staff changes have occurred, and your Community Representative may be different:
- Manuel Reyes: Ocean Beach and Mission Bay
- Carrie Munson: Clairemont
- Seamus Kennedy: Midway District
- Margaret Doyle: Point Loma
- Guillermo Castillo: Old Town and Mission Beach
|
If you need assistance with non-emergency community concerns, please use the Get It Done App or you can call my office or email me directly.
|
Office of Councilmember
Jennifer Campbell
City Administration Building
202 "C" Street, 10th Floor
San Diego, CA 92101
619-236-6622
|
|
.jpeg)
