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ARTICLE · 26 JUNE 2023

City Of San Diego Expands "Complete Communities" Program

Allen Matkins Leck Gamble Mallory & Natsis LLP
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The City of San Diego's popular infill development initiative, the Complete Communities – Housing Solutions program, has generated a flurry of transactions and project applications during its first few years of existence.

United StatesReal Estate and Construction
E. Bo Peterson
E. Bo Peterson

The City of San Diego's popular infill development initiative, the Complete Communities – Housing Solutions program, has generated a flurry of transactions and project applications during its first few years of existence. Developers have rushed to take advantage of the program's benefits which include by-right development up to 8.0 or even unlimited FAR for certain sites. In response to the program's success, the City Council recently voted to expand its benefits to an additional 688 acres by redefining the criteria for qualifying sites.

The Housing Solutions program, which was approved by the City Council in December 2020, was a major goal of the prior Mayor. The program one-ups the State Density Bonus Law by providing a floor area ratio ("FAR") -based incentive program for projects that restrict specified percentages of units for rental at affordable rates. To qualify, a development must lie within one of four FAR tiers as shown on the City's interactive map.

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