Overdevelopment in the Heart of Pacific Beach

The proposed development at 2596 Chalcedony Street drastically exceeds neighborhood norms and threatens to erode community character in pursuit of density at any cost.

What’s Being Proposed?

A Project That Defies Context

The development proposal for 2596 Chalcedony Street would replace a single-family home with a multi-story, multi-unit structure that severely exceeds local zoning and neighborhood scale. This is not thoughtful infill — it's overreach.

  • Location: Mid-block in a quiet, residential neighborhood

  • Proposal: Several large units stacked on a small lot

  • Parking Impact: Insufficient off-street parking raises concerns about spillover congestion

  • Scale: Out of character with surrounding homes and neighborhood form

Key Concerns.

Why NFABC Opposes This Project As Proposed

  • Disregards Community Character:
    Pacific Beach's charm lies in its human scale. This project erodes that.

  • Encourages Overcrowding Without Infrastructure Upgrades:
    Utilities, traffic capacity, and parking are already strained.

  • Zoning Abuse via State Density Bonuses:
    Developers are using Sacramento mandates to bypass local height and density limits.

  • Threatens Walkability and Safety:
    Increased car traffic and fewer sightlines put pedestrians and cyclists at risk.

Death by a Thousand Cuts: Why Small Projects Still Matter.

While this may seem like a single lot, the precedent it sets is massive. Projects like this — justified by vague state mandates — stack up quickly. Together, they transform entire neighborhoods without any public process. If we don’t push back here, this could become the new norm.