Badiee Development
Industrial
During 2021, 2022, and 2023, the Atlantis Group team completed the processing of three Industrial projects in the Otay Mesa Community Planning area of the City of San Diego. These projects were ground-up developments that required Site Development Permits (SDP’s) per the Otay Mesa Community Plan. The warehouse buildings comprise more than half a million square-feet as well as critical fronting street improvements to serve the growing cross border activity at the Otay Mesa Border Crossing. These Process 3 approvals required analyzing the potential environmental impacts associated with developing the previously un-graded parcels. Additionally, the projects were required to comply with the Brown Field Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan.
Clairemont Drive – Warmington
Residential Development
In 2002, the Atlantis Group completed the processing of Clairemont Drive project in the Clairemont Mesa Community Plan area of the City of San Diego. The project included the demolition of two existing buildings and the construction of a seven 3-story residential buildings and preservation of open space. The residentially zoned parcel included a Site Development Permit (SDP) based on minor impacts to disturbed grasslands and the presence of a disturbed wetland, as well as a Map Waiver to create condominiums through a Process 4 action by the City’s Planning Commission. The project design was compliant with the Clairemont Mesa Community 30-foot Height limit and the Community Plan land use designation and underlying zoning.
Intersection
Life Science
In 2022, the Atlantis Group completed the processing of Intersection project in the Mira Mesa Community Plan area of the City of San Diego. The project included the demolition of two existing 2-story office building and construction of a 2-story Life Science building (approximately 36,800 square-feet) within the Marine Corp Air Station Miramar Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan (MCAS Miramar ALUCP) area, Accident Potential Zone II (APZ II). Atlantis worked with the client and the consultant team to prepare a process a Neighborhood Development Permit (NDP) to allow the development to exceed 300 square-feet per person as prescribed in the MCAS Miramar ALUCP. The City’s Land Development Code allows projects to exceed the limit through demonstration, by the applicant, that other similar projects require larger floor area per person and that the maximum allowed people, per the MCAS Miramar ALUCP, for the property will be maintained.
BDM Mixed Use
Residential Development
In 2023, the Atlantis Group completed the processing of the BDM Mixed Use project in the Otay Mesa Community Plan area, City of San Diego. The project required several City actions through a Process Five City Council, unanimous, approval.
The project proposed 430 total multi-family residential dwelling units and approximately 6,000 square feet of commercial use. The multi-family residential use includes 378 market-rate dwelling units and 52 affordable dwelling units (affordable to low-income households) situated in the western portion of the site.
One Paseo
Case Studies
Kilroy Realty Corporation proposed a mixed-use development with 608 multifamily units and 730,500 square feet of retail and office on the last large parcel of undeveloped land in Carmel Valley: the site was previously planned for 500,000 square feet of offices.
Preface-Lake Atlin
Residential Development
Atlanis Group managed the discretionary permit process to obtain approval for a Process Four Vesting Tentative Map (VTM) and Planned Development Permit (PDP). The VTM and PDP allow for the development of a 10-acre infill surplus San Diego School District school site with 50 single-family dwelling units.
Pardee-Castlerock
Residential Development
Atlantis Group managed the discretionary permit process to obtain approval of a Process Five project that included a General Plan Amendment (GPA), Community Plan Amendment (CPA), Vesting Tentative Map (VTM), Planned Development Permit (PDP), Site Development Permit (SDP), a rezone, and a LAFCO Reorganization between the Cities of San Diego and Santee. The approvals allowed the Client to construct up to 430 dwelling units adjacent to the CIty of Santee when complete will be annexed into the City of Santee and perseved more than 100-acres of natural open space for the Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP).
Riverwalk
Residential Development
Atlantis Group is managing the discretionary permit Process (Five) to obtain approval of a General Plan Amendment (GPA), Specific Plan Amendment (SPA), Vesting Tentative Map (VTM), a Site Development Permit (SDP), General Park Development Plan (GDP), a Rezone (RZ), and a Conditional Use Permit Amendment (CUP) for approximately 4,300 dwelling units, 1,000,000 square-feet of office space, 152,000 square-feet of community commercial, a trolley station, more than 100-acres of neighborhood and regional park space, restoration of approximately 1/2-mile of the San Diego River, and certain roadway improvements, including upgrading Fashion Valley Road.
Redevelopment of Naval Training Center/Liberty Station
Case Studies
The former Naval Training Center (NTC) has been transformed into a new urban village called Liberty Station. Following several years of planning, including extensive public involvement, the San Diego City Council adopted a Reuse Plan in October 1998, charting a new course for NTC. In 1999, Atlantis Group principals Marcela Escobar-Eck was a program manager at the City of San Diego, and Kathi Riser was entitlements project manager for The Corky McMillin Cos., the master developer selected by the City to redevelop the base.
Mission Beach Residences & Santa Barbara Place
Case Studies
McKellar-McGowan retained Atlantis Group to lead the development team for a proposed 63-unit luxury townhome project on the site of the long-closed Mission Beach Elementary School, in a densely populated beach community. The team prepared and processed a General Plan Amendment, Mission Beach Community Plan/LCP Amendment, a Tentative Map, a Coastal Development Permit and an EIR with the City of San Diego. Atlantis Group led the City Council lobbying effort, resulting in a 6-2 bipartisan vote to approve the project. The project was approved by the California Coastal Commission
Wakeland Housing & Development – Ivy Senior Apartments
Residential Development
Atlantis Group has performed due diligence on a proposed Permanent Supportive Housing project for Wakeland Housing and Development Corporation in the Clairemont Mesa Community Plan area. Atlantis worked extensively with City staff to determine aspects that needed discretionary review and identified upcoming and recently-signed legislation that resulted in the project being permitted by right, with no entitlement or CEQA review. Looking ahead and recognizing opportunities for the future has resulted in significant cost and time savings.
Life Time Fitness
Commercial Development
Atlantis has performed numerous due diligence analyses for siting fitness center locations within the San Diego region. At the Wall Street location there are both City and State entitlements, which have been codified in the La Jolla Planned District Ordinance, and a land use consistency determination was sought and obtained that the change of use to a fitness center would not increase the required parking and therefore, no discretionary action was required. Atlantis further obtained written confirmation from the California Coastal Commission staff that the project would not require an amendment from the state.
Superior Ready Mix – Nancy Ridge Drive
Commercial Development
Atlantis Group was engaged to perform due diligence on a site at Nancy Ridge Rd. for a Superior Ready-Mix concrete batch plant within the Mira Mesa Community Plan area. Atlantis identified a path to keep the project ministerial, thereby saving our client from the time and expense of a Conditional Use Permit and CEQA analysis. Initially City staff did not agree with our determination, however high-level conflict resolution meetings resulted in a written decision for our client, and a path identified for consistent determinations in the future.
Montezuma Hotel
Commercial Development
Atlantis Group is managing the Community Plan Amendment, Rezone, and Neighborhood Development Permit to allow the construction of a 125-room hotel on Montezuma Road in the College Area Community Plan area. The project includes working with the Friends of the Rolando Brach Library and the City of San Diego to create and implement a shared access and parking agreement for the library, which does not have legal access to Montezuma Road or adequate patron parking.
Next Space – 3903 Voltaire
Residential Development
Next Space retained Atlantis Group to manage compliance with discretionary permit conditions approved for the previous owner in 2009, including processing a minor engineering permit to utilize the permit, an Affordable Housing Agreement, and conditions relating to solar panels on a 2-story building in the 30′ height limit area of Point Loma.
Penske CUP – Father Joe’s Villages / Neil Good Day Center
Institutional
Atlantis Group managed the discretionary permit process where Father Joe’s obtained approval of a Process Four Conditional Use Permit (CUP). The CUP allows the Neil Good homeless day center at 1402 Commercial Street in the East Village neighborhood in Downtown San Diego. The day center includes a 5,624 square-foot building and an outdoor patio area which allows for day time storage of belongings, a covered respite from the weather, employment information and referrals, income assistance to patrons, facilities for personal hygiene, and mail and telephone access for the homeless population.
Saturn Rezone and Tentative Map
Residential Development
Atlantis Group is managing the entitlement process of a Vesting Tentative Map, Planned Development Permit and Coastal Development Permit to demolish an existing residence with detached accessory structures for the development of a neighborhood of eighteen (18) single family residences in the Otay Mesa Nestor Planning Area. The project includes design guidelines and negotiated street improvements.
La Jolla Music Society – The Conrad
Institutional
The La Jolla Music Society retained Atlantis Group to process a Coastal Development Permit and Mitigated Negative Declaration for a 500-seat concern hall, a 150-seat cabaret space and offices in the village of La Jolla with no onsite parking, based on agreements with nearby offices to provide parking for evening and weekend performances.
Futbol Factory
Commercial Development
Juan Carlos Paz & Puente envisioned an indoor futbol training facility in a 29,000 SF space in an existing industrial building in Chula Vista. Atlantis Group successfully processed a Conditional Use Permit as an “educational” facility that provides a unique educational opportunity for sports instruction for the children and adults of the City, and that would contribute to the general well being of the surrounding community.
Urbana
Residential Development
Atlantis Group was retained by Urbana CV, LLC to provide entitlement services including approval from the Chula Vista Urban Core Design Review Board for a mixed-use live/work project with 257 apartments and 9 live/work units wrapped around an interior parking garage in the Urban Core Specific Plan area of western Chula Vista.
Otay Ranch Portion of Village 4 SPA
Case Studies
Dansk Investments retained Atlantis Group to lead a development team for a 350-unit residential project in the city of Chula Vista. The team prepared and processed a Sectional Planning Area (SPA) Plan, a Tentative Map, Design Guidelines, a Public Facilities Finance Plan, an EIR, and annexation into an Otay Water District Improvement Area. Atlantis negotiated an MSCP Boundary Line Adjustment with the City and the resource agencies. The project was approved in June 2018.
Otay Valley Rock Quarry
Commercial Development
Moller Investments acquired a 214-acre parcel in the City of Chula Vista that included an operating rock quarry and land designated for residential unit (a portion of Otay Ranch Villages 4). Atlantis Group managed the Quarry project through the regulatory review processed with local, state and federal agencies, including a Reclamation Plan, EIR, Multiple Species Conservation Plan Boundary Adjustment and sensitive habitat preservation issues.
St. John Garabed Armenian Church
Institutional
St. John Garabed Armenian Church purchased a 13 acre site in the North City Future Urbanizing-Subarea 2 to build their long-term home: a 4 building campus that included a 93-foot tall sanctuary, a social hall, a cultural center and a gymnasium.
The Cambridge School
Institutional
The Cambridge School opened under a lease from a church; however, the church’s Conditional Use Permit did not allow for a school. Additionally, Cambridge wanted to add modular classrooms. Atlantis Group successfully processed a separate Conditional Use Permit for the school, and building permits for its new construction.
Muslim Community Center Of Greater San Diego
Institutional
The Greater San Diego Muslim Community Center acquired a site in Black Mountain Ranch designated for a religious institution. When neighborhood opposition materialized, GSDMCC retained Atlantis Group to assist with its building permits and to work with community and neighborhood groups as needed. The $5.5M project was completed in mid-2010.
Stone Brewing Co.
Commercial Development
Stone Brewing Co. retained Atlantis Group to assist with efforts to amend the Centre City Planned District Ordinance and the San Diego Land Development Code to include a new land use category “Brewery Tasting Room” to facilitate the opening of their new Stone Company Store on Kettner and their Stone Tap Room next to Petco Park.
Liberty Station (Later Projects)
Case Studies
The Corky McMillin Cos. retained Atlantis Group to process entitlement for the Liberty Station East Hotel, consisting of 650 rooms in three hotels. The project was approved by the city’s Planning Commission without opposition, and later gained approval by the California Coastal Commission. McMillin has also retained Atlantis Group for as-needed consulting services associated with securing tenants, lease terms, a master sign program and building permits.
Meet the Partners
Marcela Escobar
More than 30 years of land use planning experience, including as Director of Development Services for the City of San Diego
Kathi Riser
More than 40 years experience in project management including Carmel Mountain Ranch
Ted Shaw
More than 30 years of serving clients as their entitlement and land planning expert
Marcela truly understands the system of project design and entitlements; she is exceptionally capable of developing a strategy to see a development project from inception to fruition.
– Kathy Garcia (Former Principal, Wallace Roberts & Todd, LLC)
I have had the pleasure of working with Marcela for 15 years on a wide variety of assignments. Marcela is a problem solver. She understands the political realities of land development. She is an excellent organizer, has superior communication skills, and is a team player. And most of all, she achieves results.
– John Leppert (President, Leppert Engineering Corporation)
Kathi is one of the brightest people I know when it comes to land use and development. She has a firm grasp on the technical, logistical and political aspects of very complex projects. And she has the ability to explain those concepts in very simple terms.
– Mark Steele, FAIA (Founder, MW Steele Group Inc.)
Ms. Temple’s attention to detail and political acumen allowed me to depend on her with important and often confidential information. I delegated sensitive tasks to her to complete, representing both myself and our department. Some of the most complex and controversial projects in the City of San Diego were successfully managed by Jeannette during the time we worked together. She anticipated conflicts and controversies and advised staff and applicants so they were better prepared with solutions that address them.
– Kelly Broughton, Former City of San Diego Development Services Department Director
Steve Bossi is thorough, poised and professional in his approach to tackling challenging planning issues. He’s a great team player and wonderful to work with.
– Dr. Sherry Ryan, Principal at Chen Ryan Associates and Professor of City Planning/Director of the School of Public Affairs at San Diego State University
About Atlantis Group
Atlantis Group is the premier land use and strategic planning consulting firm in San Diego. We specialize in forming partnerships with our private and public agency clients ensuring success for their projects.