SAN DIEGO — An ocean view property in Del Mar that spans nearly 7 acres just north of Dog Beach is at the center of a legal controversy.
A developer wants to turn it into a large apartment complex called Seaside Ridge, with 259 apartments, including 42 that are designated lower income units. Two would be considered extremely low income, making them affordable for a family making just over $41,000 a year.
Ricardo Flores, Executive Director on the non-profit LISC San Diego, supports the project.
“We know that a family's zip code will determine their health, wealth, and life expectancy,” he said, pointing out 83% of Del Mar's residents are white. “They are, in some way, the poster child for a need for diversity because it's not just good for the families that move into Del Mar, but it's also good for the current families in Del Mar to live with more diversity.”
The City of Del Mar has been pushing back against the project, saying the land isn't zoned for that type of development. But the state says Del Mar must accommodate 113 new affordable housing units.
As a result, Seaside Ridge's developer filed a lawsuit Friday demanding Del Mar city leaders "approve the project as submitted, and issue all related, necessary project approvals."
“I think this lawsuit sends a really strong message that we are in a severe housing crisis,” said Jordan Latchford with YIMBY Democrats of San Diego. She believes this development will give people who work in Del Mar a chance to live in the community they serve.
“It's that single mom that has three kids and is working at your local restaurant,” Latchford said. “It's those teachers that have had a hard time.”
Del Mar city officials sent CBS 8 a statement saying, "as this matter pertains to active litigation, and the City has not yet had a chance to review, we have no comment at this time."
That said, the City has proposed affordable housing in a different part of town.
“The place they're looking at is housing people at the fairgrounds where animals live and sleep,” said Ricardo. “Not necessarily where human beings are living and sleeping.”
There’s no timeline yet for the court proceedings, but developers expect the project to take about three years to build once they get approval to move forward.
WATCH RELATED: Seaside Ridge project in Del Mar could bring affordable housing to the area (May. 20, 2023)