SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — San Diego city council plans to reconsider the All Peoples Church development in Del Cerro at an upcoming meeting in March.
The proposed large-scale church at the intersection of College Avenue and Interstate 8 is back in the spotlight, more than a year after it was voted down by a six to two majority,
“Residents were shocked to learn that the final vote of the council was not the final vote,” said Del Cerro resident Michael Livingston.
For several years now, a group called “Save Del Cerro” has been fighting against the All Peoples Church project. It involves plans for a 900-seat church with 12 classrooms and more than 350 parking spots situated six acres of land, previously zoned for housing.
“It’s just too big, too intense, and it puts our neighborhood at risk,” Livingston said.
“Land use, it’s safety, it’s a blind curve,” said Mardine Davis, listing key reasons many local residents have opposed the development.
The majority of city council agreed last January when the proposal was voted down six to two in a motion led by councilmember Raul Campillo.
In a statement, Campillo says his position remains the same, adding “I don’t believe an adequate study was done regarding the amount of vehicular traffic that will impact college avenue and the surrounding community. The community deserves to know the truth.”
Following the project denial, All Peoples Church sued the city. A representative for the church sent this statement: “We believe that the initial denial was illegal, so a lawsuit was filed. As part of the ongoing settlement discussions, the city has agreed to reconsider the light project. We strongly believe this is the right project in the right location to serve our members and the community at large. We hope the council upon reflection and reconsideration will approve the project.”
“I think the council just needs our support. They made a very good decision based on the law and the fact they got sued. I think we all kind of knew this might happen,” Livingston said.
Now council will have to take a few steps to formally reconsider. First they need a two-thirds vote to suspend the rules of council. If that is successful, a majority is needed to approve the motion to reconsider. Then, the project itself would also need a majority of council members in favor in order to pass.
The situation is leaving local residents wondering what precedent this decision to reconsider will set.
“I think in the long run if you think that the city council votes on things and it’s a given, and then anybody can come in and put pressure on the city council and they change their vote, what’s the point. Why even have a vote,” Davis said.
All but one councilmember, Henry Foster, are still in their seats and will potentially be voting on the project a second time, which is currently scheduled for March 11.
