The Lawson Golden Hill Development: 186-Unit Project Sets Precedent for Complete Communities Program

What Is The Lawson Project?

The Lawson is an $89 million, eight-story residential development at 2935-2961 A Street in the Golden Hill neighborhood, straddling the border with South Park. Developed by Chicago-based CEDARst Companies in partnership with Bridge Investment Group, the project will deliver 186 apartment units ranging from studios to two-bedroom residences across 216,000 square feet.

The development includes significant amenities: 149 on-site parking stalls, a two-story fitness center, a wellness facility with hot tub, cold plunge, and sauna, and a rooftop deck offering views of San Diego Bay and the downtown skyline. Located just two blocks from Balboa Park, the project is designed to appeal to renters seeking urban convenience near one of San Diego's premier cultural landmarks.

CEDARst, a nationally recognized multifamily developer with projects across eight states, broke ground on The Lawson in October 2025. The project is part of the company's Opportunity Zone Fund 1 and is situated in a qualified opportunity zone. According to the developer, 51% of the units will be priced at affordable housing levels—though critics argue this doesn't offset the project's impacts on existing residents.

The construction timeline projects completion in November 2027, meaning the neighborhood faces approximately two years of active construction. AC Martin designed the project, with Rockwood Construction serving as general contractor.

The Complete Communities Controversy

The Lawson achieved its extraordinary height and density—far exceeding traditional Golden Hill zoning limits—through San Diego's Complete Communities program, an initiative adopted by the City Council in 2020. This program allows developers to build significantly taller and denser projects in exchange for community benefits like affordable housing units.

The key incentive mechanism revolves around proximity to "high-frequency transit." According to the City of San Diego, projects within one-half mile (later expanded to one mile in some cases) of existing or planned major transit stops can qualify for expedited permits and substantial density bonuses. This "transit-oriented development" approach aims to reduce car dependence and support climate goals.

The fundamental question at the heart of the lawsuit: Can a development qualify for Complete Communities incentives based on transit infrastructure that might never materialize? Neighborhood attorney Everett DeLano argues the project was "illegally permitted" because the transit station remains "nothing more than an aspiration." The city and developer counter that SANDAG projects the qualifying bus stop will be operational by 2035.

Critics of the Complete Communities program point to a broader pattern. As reported by OB Rag, these projects "can be built up to one mile away from an existing or planned transit stop"—a distance "farther than most San Diegans will or can walk to a bus or trolley." The program has been characterized by some observers as "gentrification in disguise," approving high-density developments in neighborhoods lacking the infrastructure to support them.

Legal Battle Timeline

The legal fight over The Lawson has moved rapidly, with significant developments throughout 2025 and into 2026:

The October 2025 restraining order represented a stunning victory for Golden Hill residents. Attorney Everett DeLano of DeLano & DeLano, representing the community group Preserve Greater Golden Hill, successfully argued that the project's approval violated the city's own Complete Communities requirements because the promised high-frequency transit stop lacks funding and may never be built.

Judge Wohlfeil's initial ruling acknowledged that community opponents had "reasonable skepticism" about whether the rapid bus stop would actually materialize within walking distance of the project. The decision also noted that the neighborhood faces "potential irreparable harm if adequate infrastructure isn't developed."

However, the December 2025 decision to lift the restraining order dealt a significant blow to project opponents. While Judge Wohlfeil recognized the validity of residents' concerns, he ultimately determined they lacked sufficient probability of success on three key legal claims: the feasibility of SANDAG's transit plan, compliance with affordable housing requirements, and adherence to the city's Climate Action Plan.

DeLano indicated his clients "remain committed to challenging the project through trial proceedings," meaning the legal battle is far from over. The 2026 trial will not only determine The Lawson's fate but will establish crucial precedent affecting how Complete Communities projects across San Diego are evaluated and approved.

Impact on Golden Hill Homeowners

For homeowners living near 29th and A Streets, The Lawson presents immediate and long-term concerns that extend well beyond abstract planning debates.

Construction Disruption

With construction now authorized to proceed and a completion date set for November 2027, Golden Hill residents face approximately 18 to 24 months of significant construction activity. An eight-story residential building requires extensive excavation, foundation work, structural framing, and finishing—all of which generate substantial noise, dust, and traffic impacts.

As residents noted in community meetings, particular concerns include "months of loud noise and billowing dirt from an 8-story building." The project site sits directly across from Albert Einstein Elementary School, amplifying concerns about air quality and safety for children during the construction phase.

Property Value Uncertainty

The relationship between new high-density development and nearby property values remains complex and contested. While some research suggests new development can boost values by signaling neighborhood investment, the specific circumstances of The Lawson create particular uncertainty.

Golden Hill has historically been one of San Diego's most affordable and diverse neighborhoods. Community development organizations note that Greater Golden Hill is assessed at approximately $122.88 per square foot—roughly one-tenth the value of downtown San Diego, despite being only one highway away. This affordability has attracted homeowners seeking entry into San Diego's expensive housing market.

The introduction of 186 new rental units—with some market-rate apartments priced at $4,000 per month—could fundamentally alter the neighborhood's character and economics. Concerns include:

• Density impacts: An eight-story building dramatically alters the scale of a traditionally low-rise neighborhood
• Parking pressure: While The Lawson includes 149 parking stalls for 186 units, critics argue this is insufficient, potentially pushing resident parking onto already-crowded streets
• School capacity: Increased residential density without corresponding infrastructure investment may strain local schools
• Character change: The precedent-setting nature of this approval could trigger similar projects throughout Golden Hill

For homeowners considering selling, the uncertainty period presents particular challenges. During active construction, nearby properties may experience depressed values due to noise and visual impacts. However, waiting until after completion means accepting whatever market conditions exist once the new supply enters the rental market.

Precedent Concerns

Perhaps most troubling for Golden Hill homeowners is what The Lawson represents: a template for future development. As reported by Times of San Diego, the trial outcome "will establish precedent affecting how San Diego's Complete Communities program functions citywide, potentially reshaping future development decisions across the city."

If the project's approval is upheld at trial, developers will have a clear roadmap for securing similar approvals throughout Golden Hill, South Park, North Park, and other central San Diego neighborhoods near planned (but unfunded) transit improvements. This could trigger a wave of high-density projects that permanently transform these historically low-rise, residential neighborhoods.

Cash Buyer Options for Affected Homeowners

The unique circumstances surrounding The Lawson development create a specific window of opportunity for affected homeowners to consider their options—particularly those who value certainty over the speculation inherent in waiting out construction and market adjustments.

Why Timing Matters

With construction now authorized to proceed and expected to continue through November 2027, homeowners near the project face a decision point. Several factors make the pre-construction or early-construction period particularly relevant:

Benefits of Cash Sales During Development Uncertainty

Cash buyers—often real estate investors or companies specializing in quick acquisitions—offer distinct advantages during periods of neighborhood transition:

• Speed and Certainty: Cash transactions typically close in 7 to 14 days, compared to 30 to 45 days (or longer) for financed purchases. For homeowners who've decided to exit before construction intensifies, this speed allows them to relocate before the heaviest impacts begin.
• No Financing Contingencies: Cash buyers don't rely on mortgage approvals, eliminating the risk of deals falling through due to lender concerns about construction impacts or changing market conditions.
• As-Is Purchases: Cash buyers typically purchase properties in their current condition, without requiring repairs or updates that might be challenging to complete during nearby construction activity.
• Flexibility: Cash buyers often accommodate seller timelines, allowing homeowners to close quickly or delay closing to coordinate with new housing arrangements.
• Avoiding Construction Depreciation: By selling before construction activity peaks, homeowners can potentially avoid the temporary value depression that may occur when properties are immediately adjacent to active job sites.
• Market Volatility Protection: With the Complete Communities program's future uncertain pending trial, cash sales provide immediate liquidity rather than speculating on how legal outcomes might affect property values.

Considerations for Homeowners

Cash buyers typically offer below market value in exchange for speed and certainty—often 10% to 20% less than what a property might achieve in a traditional sale with proper marketing and a financed buyer. Homeowners should:

• • Obtain multiple cash offers to ensure competitive pricing
• • Compare cash offers against estimated proceeds from a traditional sale (accounting for time on market, potential price reductions during construction, and carrying costs)
• • Consider personal circumstances: Do construction noise and disruption outweigh the potential financial difference between cash and traditional sale?
• • Consult with local real estate professionals familiar with both cash and traditional markets in Golden Hill

For some homeowners—particularly those on fixed incomes, those planning to relocate regardless of The Lawson, or those who highly value peace and quiet—a cash sale represents a rational exit strategy that provides certainty during an uncertain period.

Similar Projects Across San Diego

The Lawson is far from an isolated case. San Diego's Complete Communities program has spawned controversial high-density developments across multiple neighborhoods, and the legal precedent established by The Lawson case will directly affect how these projects proceed.

North Park and University Heights

According to CEDARst's development pipeline, the company plans to break ground on a second North Park project and a University Heights project in the first quarter of 2026. Developer Jeff Svitak has completed the Fora building with 34 apartments in North Park and finished the Kaya building with 78 apartments in Bankers Hill.

South Park

Immediately adjacent to The Lawson, South Park is experiencing similar development pressure. The Lawson itself technically straddles the Golden Hill and South Park boundary, bringing high-density concerns to both neighborhoods simultaneously.

Bankers Hill

Foley Plaza, a mixed-use development in Bankers Hill, includes 60 luxury apartment units and was scheduled for completion in January 2026. The Asano on Fourth Apartments features 57 luxury units and opened in February 2025.

Point Loma

Attorney Everett DeLano has also represented Protect Point Loma in challenging a Complete Communities project at 1004 Rosecrans, arguing it doesn't meet transit eligibility requirements—an issue nearly identical to The Lawson controversy.

Coastal Zone Expansion

As of 2024, Complete Communities regulations are expanding into the Coastal Zone, potentially affecting neighborhoods like Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, and La Jolla that were previously protected by stricter coastal development standards.

Conversely, if the Preserve Greater Golden Hill group prevails at trial, it would require the city to demonstrate committed funding for transit improvements before approving high-density projects. This could significantly slow or halt the Complete Communities program's implementation, forcing a more deliberate approach to neighborhood densification.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion: A Neighborhood at a Crossroads

The Lawson development represents far more than 186 new apartment units in Golden Hill. It's a test case for how San Diego balances urgent housing needs against neighborhood character, infrastructure capacity, and community input. For homeowners living near 29th and A Streets, the project brings immediate challenges: construction disruption, property value uncertainty, and questions about their neighborhood's future.

As the legal battle moves toward trial in 2026, affected homeowners face decisions about whether to remain and adapt to Golden Hill's transformation or pursue alternatives, including cash sales that provide certainty during an uncertain period. Whatever the trial's outcome, The Lawson has already altered the landscape—both literally and figuratively—for this historic San Diego neighborhood.

The precedent established here will echo across North Park, South Park, University Heights, and beyond, determining whether Complete Communities accelerates housing production in a sustainable way or forces density onto neighborhoods lacking the infrastructure to support it. For Golden Hill residents, the quiet corner of 29th and A Streets will never be quite so quiet again.