Pacifica’s coastal quarry resisted development for decades. This 1,225-unit plan may be different
Developers propose building 1,225 units of housing at the site of a former Pacifica quarry that now attracts pedestrians, bicyclists and dog walkers.
TL;DR
- A developer team has proposed building 1,225 housing units on a 90-acre former quarry site in Pacifica.
- The proposal utilizes California's "builder's remedy" law, which allows developers to bypass local zoning in communities lacking state-certified housing elements.
- The Pacifica planning commission rejected the plan, citing that the builder's remedy does not revoke voter-approved land-use requirements and referencing a Redondo Beach case.
- The property is designated for conservation and visitor-serving commercial use under Pacifica's coastal plan, with housing requiring voter approval.
- The developer plans to appeal the decision to the City Council and expects a court ruling, as the builder's remedy projects are not subject to public vote by law.
- Concerns raised by residents and environmentalists include increased traffic, strain on city services, the presence of endangered species (San Francisco garter snake and California red-legged frog), and the historical significance of the site.
- The developer has stated all units would be deed-restricted for affordability, targeting households at 120% of the area median income.
- The project is in a coastal zone, which may complicate the builder's remedy application due to requirements for a California Coastal Commission permit.