The Battle for the Future of Housing in Jamacha

February 25, 2026

Residents of Jamacha, a predominantly low-income, culturally diverse neighborhood in Southeastern San Diego, are actively opposing a proposed six-unit Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) development at 1441 Woodrow Ave. The Jamacha Neighborhood Council contends that the development application submitted by developers on behalf of property owner Godavari LP contains multiple false statements and inaccuracies, including misrepresenting the property as an empty lot when it actually contains a 60-year-old house. Community members argue that the City is allowing inappropriate dense development in their single-family neighborhood while ignoring safety concerns, environmental risks, and violations of municipal code standards.

Who is affected

Residents of the Jamacha neighborhood in Southeastern San Diego
The Jamacha Neighborhood Council (led by Chairperson Dorene Dias Pesta)
Holly Hedgecock, a longtime Woodrow Avenue resident
Current property owner Godavari LP/Godavari Enterprises LP and Godavari Properties LLC
Families of color (the neighborhood is predominantly Black and brown, with about 70% homeownership)
City of San Diego officials and Mayor Todd Gloria
A privately owned construction company hired by the property owner

What action is being taken

The Jamacha Neighborhood Council is calling on the City to halt the housing project
Neighbors are organizing and advocating through public meetings, letters, media outreach, and protests
Ms. Dias Pesta and residents are demanding immediate regulatory action and accountability from the City
More protests and public actions are being planned

Why it matters

This case highlights broader issues of housing equity and environmental justice in San Diego. The controversy demonstrates how zoning policies and ADU regulations, though marketed as affordable housing solutions, may disproportionately impact low-income communities of color without proper oversight or accountability. The situation threatens to undermine community stability, property values, and generational wealth in neighborhoods like Jamacha, while raising questions about whether the City adequately enforces its own municipal codes and environmental safety standards. The ministerial approval process for ADU projects allows developers to bypass community input, and the practice of filing applications before regulation updates take effect enables circumvention of stricter standards designed to protect neighborhood character.

What's next

Residents plan to hold more protests and public actions in hopes of halting construction before it begins
The community is calling on the City to correct false statements in the application, enforce safety and environmental regulations, bring transparency to the approval process, and hold applicants accountable for misleading information
Neighbors propose alternative solutions: building no more than two ADUs, donating the property for conversion into a pocket park, or if sold, disclosing that development was vehemently opposed by the community

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint