CHULA VISTA – A controversial high-rise condominium project proposed for H Street and Fourth Avenue has been scrapped.
With the project known as Españada out of consideration, Mayor Steve Padilla said he hopes the city's general plan update can proceed.
Opposition to Españada was so politically heated, he said, that it became the main focus of the proposed general plan, which will guide development for the next 30 years.
"When you boil everything down, this was the sticking point," Padilla said after yesterday's City Council meeting.
Padilla announced during the meeting that developer Jim Pieri formally withdrew his application to build Españada earlier in the day. He read a letter submitted by Pieri and praised the developer for his decision.
"He realized this wasn't going to get any better," Padilla said.
The battle over Españada began late last year.
The $100 million project called for twin 15-story luxury condominium towers to be built on the north side of H Street between Fourth and Third avenues.
Supporters said the project would serve as a catalyst to the downtown area by attracting shops and restaurants. Opponents said the high-rise towers would not fit the character of the surrounding neighborhood and would bring too much traffic to local streets.
The 198-foot-tall project would have required a zoning change, so Pieri opted last November to wait until after the general plan update was finished to seek approval for his project.
One of the most vocal groups to oppose the project was the Roosevelt Street Coalition. Funded by property owner Earl Jentz, the group held rallies, conducted surveys and paid for advertisements in local publications.
After Padilla's announcement, Jentz said his group will continue to monitor the general plan update. But, he said, he was pleased with Pieri's decision to drop Españada.
"I see it as a step in the right direction," Jentz said.
Padilla said he met with Jentz and others on Monday to discuss the project and their concerns. He said that over the last few months the project has stirred such strong emotions and heated debate that people were spreading inaccurate information to gain support.
"It has become destructive," Padilla said during the meeting.
Padilla said the Roosevelt Street Coalition was prepared to fund a ballot initiative to fight the project. He said a political fight would be unhealthy for the city.
Jentz said he did not discuss a ballot initiative or any legal action during their meeting Monday.
"I don't know where he got that," Jentz said as he left the council meeting. "We didn't bring that up."
Padilla said he met with Pieri a few hours before yesterday's council meeting. Early in the discussions, Padilla said, the developer offered to withdraw his project.
In his letter to the mayor, Pieri said, "I realize this project has created division in the community. If I decide to refile an application, I will work with the community and the concerns raised by the citizens of Chula Vista."
Padilla said the general plan update is on track to go before the council for approval in November. He said he would now support mid-rises of up to seven stories at the location where Españada was proposed.
"We need to move our process forward," Padilla said. "We have a good draft general plan."
Amy Oakes: (619) 498-6633; amy.oakes@uniontrib.com
