San Diego could have 60 more affordable housing units for seniors in Allied Gardens if the City Council approves it. But a lot of the residents who live there hope they won't.
The project is called "Village at Zion" for its location on Zion Avenue. Near the corner of Waring Road, the apartment building would be built on a vacant lot that is across the street from a park and a recreation center, and about a block away from a school.
The apartment building was opposed by two local planning councils and by many neighbors like Pat Burkes, who said she has owned a home in Allied Gardens for 34 years. She said the apartment building brings too much density and traffic to a neighborhood of single-family homes.
"The place where they want to put a very dense pocket of people is at the very heart of our neighborhood," she said.
But supporters say that's the very reason why Village at Zion has found a great location. In addition to being near a park, the apartment house would be one block from a small shopping center with an Albertson's grocery store.
"We need to have more opportunities for people to live within walking distance of amenities like rec centers, libraries and shopping centers," said Elyse Lowe with the transit advocacy group Move San Diego.
The San Diego City Council will vote Tuesday on whether to approve a conditional use permit for Village at Zion. The apartment building would be two stories with a parking garage underneath.
