Local group cautiously optimistic about reforms to ADUs in San Diego
Talmadge is the birthplace of one group that has propelled the groundswell of opposition to how ADU construction has been carried out across the city in recent years, Neighbors for a Better San Diego.
Paul Kreuger, who helped found the group, said it was created as a direct response to abnormally large ADU developments cropping up in backyards throughout the neighborhood, many permitted under the city's Bonus ADU program.
'This is what started the whole revolt against backyard apartments,' Kreuger said to FOX 5/KUSI outside a home where six units were constructed in its rear. 'Four years ago, a developer bought this single-family home, did not tell the truth to the seller, who didn't want this, said he was only going to build a little casita in the back.'
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Kreuger lives near the development. He says is just one of many that have appeared in the neighborhood in the last few years.
'They've just gotten worse and worse,' he explained. 'Six is now gentle compared to eight, 10, 12, 16.'
The ADUs popping up around town are the result of changes made by the city to bolster the housing supply in an effort to address the housing shortage.
Specifically, opponents have criticized the city's ADU Bonus program, allowing developers to add an extra unit for each built that is deed-restricted for low-income and moderate-income households.
Krueger says his group is not against ADUs more generally, rather they want tighter rules and caps on the number of units people are able to build on each lot.
Nearly 200 people involved in the fight showed up to the City Council's Land Use and Housing Committee Thursday, when city leaders heard the proposed reforms to the regulations guiding ADU construction.
The changes would exclude certain areas from the ADU Bonus program, place a two-story height limit on the developments, up the fine charged for developments that violate local laws and impose a seven-unit cap, depending on lot size.
'It tells you how widespread the anger is about a policy that's completely out of control,' Kreuger said. 'That's been exploited by developers and out of town investors.'
After a six hour public comment, the committee passed the changes to the full City Council, which will hear it next month.
Kreuger is hopeful what is on the table will help to address some of the program's problems, but he says he still would like to see city leaders limit the number of ADUs allowed on each lot even more — down to four.
'Then it would put our group out of business, and I can go back to my life,' he said.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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