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

Get top-rated, practical training

Historic homes in St. Augustine, Florida.

Florida Considers Legalizing ADUs

Current state law allows — but doesn’t require — cities to permit accessory dwelling units in single-family residential neighborhoods.

March 18, 2025 - Newsweek

Bird's eye view of manufactured home park.

Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing

Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?

March 25, 2025 - Shelterforce

Close-up of rear car bumper in traffic on freeway.

Research Shows More Roads = More Driving

A national study shows, once again, that increasing road supply induces additional vehicle travel, particularly over the long run.

March 23, 2025 - Road Capacity as a Fundamental Determinant of Vehicle Travel

Cars parked and plugged in at an EV charging lot in Santa Monica, California surrounded by palm trees.

EV Chargers Now Outnumber Gas Pumps by Nearly 50% in California

Fast chargers still lag behind amidst rapid growth.

6 seconds ago - Inside EVs

Construction workers on a suspended platform are installing thermal insulation on the facade of a modern apartment building, improving energy efficiency and reducing heat loss during cold weather.

Affordable Housing Renovations Halt Mid-Air Amidst DOGE Clawbacks

HUD may rescind over a billion dollars earmarked for green building upgrades.

1 hour ago - Bloomberg CityLab

Sign above entrance of United States Department of Transportation.

Has Anyone at USDOT Read Donald Shoup?

USDOT employees, who are required to go back to the office, will receive free parking at the agency’s D.C. offices — flying in the face of a growing research body that calls for pricing parking at its real value.

2 hours ago - Streetsblog USA