The Pacifica City Council unanimously denied a developer’s appeal September 28th, upholding the City’s determination that a proposed 1,225-unit affordable housing development at Rockaway Quarry must comply with a 1983 voter-adopted ordinance that requires a public vote to approve housing in the quarry, and be consistent with Pacifica’s updated local coastal land use plan (LCLUP).
Previously, the City issued a determination of inconsistency with the developer’s application. The developer appealed, saying the Builders Remedy provision of the Housing Accountability Act (HAA) meant that the application needn’t comply with the 1983 ordinance or the 2025 LCLUP. Subsequently the Planning Commission denied the appeal, with the appeal next going to the City Council. Now the Council has voted unanimously to deny the appeal. It is expected that the developer will continue to appeal, however if so, the court decision could be precedent-setting as a challenge to the Builders Remedy provision of the HAA.
The appeal doesn’t concern the project itself, but rather the City’s existing two legal requirements. Meanwhile, the City says it is continuing to process the application, including an Environmental Impact Report.
There are more lengthy reports on the Coastside News site:
- Pacifica council upholds public vote requirement for quarry housing proposal
- Pacifica Council Keeps Voter-Approval Rule for 1,225-Unit Quarry Project