City approves tighter ADU restrictions, too late for some Clairemont residents

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- The San Diego City Council approved tighter restrictions for accessory dwelling units in San Diego. The changes will limit the number of ADUs allowed on one property, ranging from four to six units maximum, depending on the property size.

This comes after residents complained that they were seeing apartment-like complexes going up in their single family neighborhoods.

But the changes are coming a little too late for some neighborhoods, including on Almayo Avenue in Clairemont.

There are 17 units under construction behind one single family home on Almayo Avenue.

“I hope this doesn’t happen to anybody else’s neighborhood," Anita Beckmann said. She's raised her two kids on Almayo Avenue.

“This is our little paradise," she said.

For the last year, she's had a front row seat to watch and listen to the construction of an ADU project just two doors down.

“It's just so peaceful and I'm afraid that that’s being destroyed," Beckmann said as she choked up, concerned that her neighborhood's sense of community and safety will be gone.

“This is destroying that, and why would you do that, for what? I just don’t get it," Beckmann added. She's also concerned that limiting ADUs to up to six per lot is still too many.

She's also concerned about parking, as the ADUs are being built at the end of a cul-de-sac, with already limited parking for the residents that live there now.

One of the 25 regulations that passed on Tuesday changes the parking requirements when ADUs approved in the city.

“It doesn’t help us, does it?” Suzanne Steel, who lives down the street from the 17-unit ADU project, questioned. The rules are coming a little too late for the residents near Almayo Avenue.

"People haven’t moved in yet and we are already struggling with the cars its just kind of a shame," Steel said.

As for the Beckmanns, they are considering packing up their paradise.

“This was our last, expected to be our last home but at the end of the day you have to feel comfortable where you live and I don’t think we are going to be comfortable with this," Beckmann added.

The newly-approved ADU regulations will head to Mayor Todd Gloria's desk for his signature, and then will take effect in 30 days.

The city confirmed that any fully completed applications will be processed under the old rules, until the new law takes effect.