Ambient Submits New Plans to City as They Move Forward with Apartment Complex

It’s been awhile since you’ve heard from us, but we have additional updates for those curious about the status of the proposed 32,000 square foot apartments in 0.5 acre triangular median between SEMS and the Dog Park:

1. As you’ve likely heard, the HOA was in communication with the property owner in regard to the possibility of purchasing the land. Ambient’s initial asking price was $6 million, and the HOA responded with a counteroffer of $1.8 million. At this point, negotiations have paused while the developer continues pursuing entitlements for its proposed project. However, the HOA remains engaged and is exploring every possible path that best protects the interests of San Elijo Hills and its residents.
2. Earlier this week, Ambient submit updated plans as they continue to move forward with gaining approval on the 5-story apartment building. (2 stories taller than any other building in SEH).
   
   
3. The November 2025 revisions to SDP24-0009 do not resolve critical public safety risks and in several areas intensify the evacuation and fire access hazards first identified in the previous plans.
   
   
4. Alarmingly, the adjusted plans decreases the number of 1-bedroom units and increases the number of 2-bedroom units which likely will lead to an increased number of occupants and therefore requires that the building add 4 additional parking spots to the existing ones allocated on San Elijo Road. 
   
   
5. While the November plan includes a Sight Distance Exhibit (absent from March set), it still lacks necessary calculations to make informed safety determinations. The southern driveway remains placed on a blind curve where vehicles will exit onto San Elijo Road at a point where cars are passing through the community in a 35mph zone.
   
   
6. The building continues to be placed in the median of the single westbound evacuation route used by all San Elijo residents and the new plans increase the number of residents potentially living there. This may further delay our evacuation in the event of an emergency.
   
   
7. The large rooftop deck and balconies on every unit (facing both SEMS and the community park) continue to be in place.

So, what’s this mean for all of us?  Let’s show the developer we are not backing down of our concerns:

• Please be on alert for updates regarding the city planning meeting as we will want to all go express our dissent.  
  
  
• In the meantime, please prioritize sharing the petition with others and/or write letters if you have had it on your to do list, but haven’t gotten to it yet. 
• Send us an email if you’d like to join the committee actively working to stop this unsafe proposal…we have some big plans in the works. Also, reach out if you have connections with news stations: considerSEHvoices@gmail.com

PETITION: https://c.org/wzfmYNwHvr

DETAILS OF PROJECT AND LETTER WRITING INFO: 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lxGL1N7pp0DKaII5cFGH3waeu6KMzEksjRuuLGx3Hb8/edit?tab=t.0

UPDATED PROJECT PLANS: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/gyy8t28e7p0u0faum6lqa/AK9TB31_874rIFy8QnL2SPw?dl=0&e=1&preview=DEVELOPMENT+PLAN+PACKAGE.pdf&rlkey=gypb3q8krf47yv76xbx3ajg3u&st=zkasp83u&fbclid=IwY2xjawOMI55leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFVM3RXMTVIQkp3SExDc3dqc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHlp732rxQ6ACKrHfkdVtN6uaeLm416ju9BJ5XQMflnRrHhqrG6rzKGV4V-kW_aem_mCPbK3ktbPXeYCDuIElUwQ