We, the undersigned residents and community stakeholders of Mid-City, respectfully request that the City of San Diego’s Engineering and Capital Projects (ECP) staff deny the Site Development Permit (SDP) for the proposed fire station at 1950 47th Street — a 1.28-acre site on a steep hillside above Chollas Creek.
We support the need for a new fire station, but this is the wrong location.
According to the City’s own Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR), the project would cause unavoidable environmental damage, including to:
- Archaeological/historical resources
- Biological habitats
- Air quality
- Sensitive species
- Flood-prone areas already at risk
The proposed site would increase pavement, stormwater runoff, and flood risk downstream — especially troubling after the January 2024 flooding that devastated communities along Chollas Creek.
Why We're Concerned
- The project has dramatically increased in size — from 14,273 to over 22,443 square feet — with no clear justification or public transparency.
- The cost has ballooned from $12 million to over $26 million before final design, raising serious questions about fiscal responsibility.
- Multiple community and environmental groups — including Groundwork San Diego, San Diego Canyonlands, Sierra Club San Diego Chapter, Eastern Area Communities Planning Committee, and others — have formally opposed this location.
What We're Asking
We are calling on City staff to:
- Deny the Site Development Permit for 1950 47th Street
- Explore alternative locations that do not compromise environmental integrity, community safety, or public funds
- Include the public in a transparent decision-making process
Sign the Petition
We are not opposed to a new fire station — we support it.
But we ask the City to find a better location that serves our community without putting our canyon, creek, or climate at risk.