The Callen Report
By Kate Callen
The meeting started with a snoozefest.
Christian Hoppe from the Development Services Department (DSD) led off by mechanically reading Ocean Beach’s appeal to block The Pointe (that’s with an “e”), and DSD’s responses. The department’s reasoning came out of a vortex: You have no grounds to appeal our decision because we say you have no grounds to appeal our decision.
The Craigs took command.
Craig Sherman, attorney for appellant Patricia Lewis, challenged DSD on due process grounds for refusing to release supporting materials. He said the City was ignoring the protected status of OB’s Cottage Emerging Historical District – “It has geographical boundaries that are not subject to dispute” – and he rebuked DSD for giving developer Takeoff Capital inexplicable waivers and incentives.
OB attorney Craig Klein, speaking for the community, delivered a clear message: The Pointe is Too Much, Too Quick. “This community has worked so long to preserve its historic location as the last real beach town south of Point Concepcion. This is the first project that has attempted to extend Complete Communities into Ocean Beach. If this passes, do you think other developers aren’t watching?”
The Callen Report
By Kate Callen
The meeting started with a snoozefest.
Christian Hoppe from the Development Services Department (DSD) led off by mechanically reading Ocean Beach’s appeal to block The Pointe (that’s with an “e”), and DSD’s responses. The department’s reasoning came out of a vortex: You have no grounds to appeal our decision because we say you have no grounds to appeal our decision.
The Craigs took command.
Craig Sherman, attorney for appellant Patricia Lewis, challenged DSD on due process grounds for refusing to release supporting materials. He said the City was ignoring the protected status of OB’s Cottage Emerging Historical District – “It has geographical boundaries that are not subject to dispute” – and he rebuked DSD for giving developer Takeoff Capital inexplicable waivers and incentives.
OB attorney Craig Klein, speaking for the community, delivered a clear message: The Pointe is Too Much, Too Quick. “This community has worked so long to preserve its historic location as the last real beach town south of Point Concepcion. This is the first project that has attempted to extend Complete Communities into Ocean Beach. If this passes, do you think other developers aren’t watching?”