Neighbors for a Better California Newsletter

Turquoise Tower (Project Vela) Update: What the Latest Public Records Reveal

June 27, 2026

Neighbors,

The latest public records released this past week confirm that Project Vela remains under active City review. No final decision has been made on the project’s requested height, scale, incentives, or waivers.

Before the City can make those determinations, the developer must still resolve key technical issues identified during the review process, including floor area calculations, fire protection, stormwater management, and the legal basis for the project’s requested waivers.

Rather than becoming clearer as the review has progressed, the records show that important questions remain unresolved across multiple technical areas.

NFABC has submitted an additional Public Records Act request for missing documents referenced in the file. Our volunteer team brings experience in law, city planning, community planning, public communications, and state housing legislation. This expertise allows us to analyze complex records, ask informed questions, and help hold the City’s review process accountable so Project Vela is not approved for more height, density, or scale than California law and the San Diego Municipal Code allow.

What the Latest Records Show

Fire Safety Review Continues

The City’s Fire Suppression reviewer stated that, after multiple rounds of review, proper and complete responses had still not been provided for the issues identified. The reviewer noted that little progress had been made and advised the design team to resolve the outstanding issues before additional reviews continued.

Stormwater Questions Remain

The records include a letter from the developer’s own geotechnical consultant concluding that stormwater infiltration is not feasible at the site due to nearby contaminated soil and the potential for impacts to neighboring properties. As a result, alternative stormwater treatment methods are being pursued.

Key Project Calculations Are Still Being Reviewed

The documents also show continuing discussion regarding the project’s floor area calculations, requested incentives, and waiver requests. The records reflect that these issues were still under review and that differing interpretations existed during the permitting process.

At the same time, the developer’s attorneys urged the City to issue a final determination, arguing that all outstanding issues had been resolved. The City’s own review comments, however, show that multiple technical disciplines were still requesting clarification and additional information.

NFABC has consistently maintained that this project deserves a careful, transparent, and thorough review. These latest public records reinforce that important technical and safety questions were still being addressed and that the review process was far from complete.

Why Sacramento Matters

Project Vela is only possible because California housing laws have changed. The developer is relying on State Density Bonus Law, SB 330, AB 1287, and related state-law waivers to seek more height, density, and development than local zoning would normally allow.

NFABC is also tracking new housing bills that could further change what can be built in coastal communities like Pacific Beach.

• AB 1751 would make it easier to divide single-family lots into much smaller ownership lots, allowing new lots as small as 600 square feet each for qualifying townhome projects.

• SB 79 takes effect July 1, 2026. It allows taller and denser buildings within one-half mile of qualifying transit stops. Depending on the location, new buildings could be 6 to 8 stories—or even taller—where local zoning would normally allow much less.

• SB 958 responds to the Midway Rising litigation and could limit CEQA challenges based on building height for certain qualifying projects.

These bills are just a few examples of the many housing proposals moving through Sacramento that could affect neighborhoods across California.

To learn more about these bills, Project Vela, and other housing laws affecting our community, visit the updated Turquoise Tower Resource Center on the NFABC website.

Explore the Updated Turquoise Tower Resource Center

We have expanded NFABC’s website to provide residents with the latest information about Turquoise Tower (Project Vela) in one place.

The updated Resource Center includes:

• A plain-language overview of Project Vela

• Recent project updates and Public Records Act findings

• Information about state housing laws affecting the project

• Key issues involving height, density, fire safety, stormwater, infrastructure, and community impacts

• Ways to stay informed and get involved

Visit the updated Turquoise Tower Resource Center to explore the latest information and follow future developments as the project moves through the City’s review process.

How You Can Help Right Now

Project Vela (Turquoise Tower) is still under review, and public attention matters. Her are three ways to help:

1. Share This Newsletter

Forward this update to neighbors, HOA boards, community groups, local businesses, and anyone who wants to better understand Project Vela and the state housing laws affecting our community.

2. Contact Your Elected Officials Today

Reach out directly to let them know this matters to you. Use the sample message below as a starting point—feel free to personalize it in your own words.

Councilmember Joe LaCava at: joelacava@sandiego.gov

Mayor Todd Gloria at: mayortoddgloria@sandiego.gov

Sample message to adapt:

Dear Councilmember LaCava and Mayor Gloria,

Please ensure Project Vela receives a full, transparent review before any approval is issued.

The latest public records show unresolved issues involving fire safety, stormwater, project calculations, waivers, height, and scale.

Project Vela should not be approved for more height, density, or scale than California law and the San Diego Municipal Code allow.

Sincerely,
[Your Name and City]

3. Support NFABC’s Legal and Technical Review Fund

Project Vela requires ongoing review of public records, technical documents, legal claims, and City responses. This work takes significant time and resources.

Your donation helps NFABC continue obtaining records, reviewing new information, consulting legal and technical experts, and holding the City’s review process accountable.

Please consider supporting this work today.

In solidarity,

Neighbors for a Better California