In May Midway-Pacific Highway Community Planning Group vetted a large-scale housing project for Mariners Cove while approving a move of an existing 7-Eleven into an area at 2990 Midway Drive.
Patti Schwayder, Derek Ullian, and Bed Haddad, all representing Apartment Investment and Management Co. (AIMCO), presented to planners the rehabilitation housing project’s details.
“We know Mariners Cove is in the OB planning area, but we wanted to give you an advance preview and hear your thoughts on this development, which is going to take a while to come to fruition,” said Schwayder of AIMCO, owner of some 40 San Diego apartment communities.
Of the proposed multi-family redo of Mariners Cove Apartments at 4392 W. Point Loma Blvd., Schwayder said, “We want to take that complex with ’80s construction and build a brand new community increasing market-rate affordable housing stock in San Diego. The goal is to create a community that’s respectful to the OB and Midway community plans.”
Schwayder added the apartment redo is being accomplished with private investor funds, not taxpayer support.
Schwayder said the redevelopment will add 272 more units to the existing 31-acre, 500-unit, two-story complex. She added the revitalized complex will “not be a luxury community but geared toward the workforce in fulfilling housing needs in the area.”
Ullian pointed out the project will be geared toward “promoting walkability and bike ridership while having a sustainable design.”
The Mariners Point project architect is Mark Steele and its planned timeline envisions environmental studies going for approval early next year, with building permits issued in spring 2022 and construction between summer 2022 and summer 2025.
“It looks like this would be a wonderful addition and update to the community,” said Midway planner Kurt Sullivan. “I appreciate the thought and strategy that went into this.”
“This is a great use of the property and will be an improvement to this whole corridor,” agreed planner Judy Holiday. “It raises the bar for other developers looking to work in our area.”
“Have you looked yet at what the traffic impacts are going to be?” asked group chair, Cathy Kenton.
“We’re only at the beginning of the long California Environmental Quality Act process which will consider mitigation for vehicle traffic,” answered Ullian, noting traffic studies come later.
“We take a very friendly neighborhood approach and I’m personally interested in what their (OB Plan Group’s) comments are,” said Kenton.
Steve Pollock of 7-Eleven and ABC consultant Matt Friedrichs clued planners in on the company’s proposed short-distance move from 3185 Midway Drive into a new store site at 2990 Midway Drive in the former Big & Tall store at the northeast corner of Midway and Rosecrans.
“We’re asking for a conditional use permit for beer and wine only, no hard alcohol,” said Friedrichs adding “the high crime rate in that area exceeds the City average, which is why we’re going for discretionary review.”
“I’m concerned about the very significant traffic impacts at the Midway-Rosecrans intersection that is a nightmare,” said chair Kenton. MPHCP voted 6-1 to support 7-Eleven’s proposed move.
 
In other action
– Council aide Josh Coyne noted D2 Councilmember Campbell’s proposal to put the elimination of the 30-foot height limit in Midway District on the November general election ballot is going back to the council’s rules committee for further review June 10. “They’re going to get the language from the City Attorney on what it’s going to say on the ballot,” he said. “That will be the discussion.”