Court Reinstates Coastal Commission's Decision on San Diego Harbor Island Project

A long-running legal battle over proposed hotel developments in San Diego appears to have come to an end.

1 minute read

September 24, 2018, 12:00 PM PDT

By Camille Fink


Hilton Hotel Harbor Island San Diego

Dirk from San Diego, USA / Wikimedia Commons

Lori Weisberg reports on a recent appellate court decision on a case involving the California Coastal Commission and the Port of San Diego. “In a ruling issued [earlier this month], a state appeals court reversed an earlier Superior Court decision that the Coastal Commission had wrongly rejected plans to develop up to 500 hotel rooms on East Harbor Island, including a 175-room hotel sought by Sunroad Enterprises,” says Weisberg.

The Coastal Commission had first denied the amendment to the port master plan in 2015 because it did not include the provision of lower-cost overnight accommodations on Harbor Island. The port fought this decision, and the Superior Court ultimately ruled in the port’s favor. However, the more recent appeals ruling overturns this lower court decision.

The fate of another Sunroad Enterprises project, a 500-room hotel on East Harbor Island, is now unclear. In addition, a separate court case related to the commission’s second denial of the amendment last year is set to be heard later this month. 

Tuesday, September 11, 2018 in The San Diego Union-Tribune

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail

The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power

Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

July 18 - Inside Climate News

Former MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood standing in front of MARTA HQ with blurred MARTA sign visible in background.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns

MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

July 18 - WABE

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant

A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

July 17 - San José Spotlight