CHUCK THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THIS LOOK AT THE BEST ORIGINAL REPORTING FROM KPBS NEWS: THIS WEEK DID I AM AMITA SHARMA.

COMING UP HOW ARE WEATHER EXPERTS EXPLAIN THE FLOODING THAT HIT SAN DIEGO ON MONDAY.

THAT'S PART OF OUR EXTENSIVE COVERAGE OF THIS WEAK STORM AND LOCAL RECOVERY.

A STATUS CHECK ON HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

WILL SHOW THE WORK DONE BY VOLUNTEERS FOR THE POINT IN TIME COUNT.

IN SAN DIEGO MAKES CHANGES TO ITS SURVEILLANCE POLICY.

WATCHDOGS SAY IT WILL WEAKEN TRANSPARENCY.

>>> THE WEEK STARTED WITH A DISASTER THAT MANY SAN DIEGO AND MAY NOT RECOVER FROM ANYTIME SOON.

INTENSE RAIN BROUGHT WIDESPREAD FLOODING WITH SOUTHEAST SAN DIEGO AMONG THE HARDEST HIT.

ANDREW BOWEN, MELISSA MAE AND ERIC ANDERSON MET WITH FLOOD VICTIMS AND METEOROLOGIST.

>> THIS IS MY LITTLE HOME.

THIS IS MY SAFE PLACE BUT THE PLACE I COME TO FEEL MOST COMFORTABLE AND SAFE AND WARM.

WE MET ROBERT LOPEZ LIVED IN THIS APARTMENT COMPLEX ON NASHVILLE AVENUE FOR ABOUT SEVEN MONTHS.

HE WAS WORKING AN EARLY SHIFT AS A RESTAURANT MANAGER DOWNTOWN WHEN THE DOWNPOUR STARTED.

HE CAME HOME IN THE AFTERNOON TO THIS.

>> I FEEL LIKE I LOST EVERYTHING.

IT'S DEVASTATING.

>> Reporter: THE SUDDEN AND RAPID RAINFALL OVERWHELMED SAN DIEGO STORM DRAIN SYSTEM.

THE APARTMENTS HERE SIT RIGHT NEXT TO THE CREEK WHICH QUICKLY BECAME CLOGGED WITH TRASH AND VEGETATION WASHED AWAY FROM UPSTREAM.

LOPEZ HAS NO FAMILY IN SAN DIEGO AND IS NOW HOMELESS.

>> I BASICALLY JUST, YOU KNOW, HAD AN ANGEL WITH ME.

MY BEST FRIEND, IF IT WASN'T FOR HER, I WOULDN'T HAVE A PLACE TO SAY.

>> Reporter: THE LAST STORM OF THIS SEVERITY WAS IN THE 1930s.

>> Reporter: THE SAN DIEGO MAYOR DECLARED A STATE OF EMERGENCY IN RESPONSE TO THE FLOODS.

HE SAID ON TUESDAY THERE WAS NO WAY THE CITY COULD HAVE BEEN FULLY PREPARED.

>> UNPRECEDENTED EVENT OF THIS NATURE BUT NO LOSS OF LIFE IS A MIRACLE.

BUT IT WAS MADE POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE DILIGENCE OF PUBLIC SERVANTS WHO STEPPED INTO THE BREACH.

A LOT OF NEIGHBOR SUPPORTING ONE ANOTHER.

WE NEED THAT KIND OF'S.

OVER THE NEXT WEEKS AND MONTHS TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE WHO WAS IMPACTED CAN SURVIVE THIS AND WILL COME OUT OF THIS IN A BETTER PLACE.

>> Reporter: STILL SAN DIEGO IS WELL AWARE OF ITS UNDERFUNDED STORM DRAIN SYSTEM.

A REPORT RELEASED JUST THIS MONTH FOUND THE CITY WOULD NEED TO RAISE AN ADDITIONAL $1.6 BILLION IN TAXES OR FEES TO FUND ALL OF IT STORM DRAIN NEEDS.

THAT'S MORE THAN THE UNFUNDED NEEDS OF SAN DIEGO'S ROADS, SIDEWALKS AND STREET LIGHTS COMBINED.

ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS.

>> Reporter: THE GREAT PHIL STATION MISSION PROJECT IS PART OF THE RIVER THAT NORMALLY LOOK SOMETHING LIKE THIS.

BUT AFTER MONDAY'S FLOODING GOT WATER OVERFLOWED OVER THE CONCRETE BARRIERS AND CAUSED MAJOR DAMAGE TO ALL THE BUSINESSES.

INCLUDING TRAVELER, COFFEE ROASTER AND ONCE HE'S IMPROVING.

>> YOU COULDN'T EVEN GET INTO THE PARKING LOT.

I WAITED IT OUT IN CORE AND DIDN'T SLEEP AT ALL MONDAY NIGHT.

>> Reporter: THAT IS DAN OWNER JAN ROMEO WHO COULDN'T BELIEVE WHAT HE SAW WHEN HE WALKED INTO HIS BUSINESS ON TUESDAY.

>> TO BE HONEST, THIS HAS BEEN SIX YEARS OF HARD WORK.

SO, I CRIED.

YOU KNOW.

IT'S ALL GONE.

AT THE END OF THE DAY.

AND FOR IT TO END LIKE THIS -- >> Reporter: ROMEO SAID HIS BUSINESS NEVER REALLY RECOVERED FROM THE PANDEMIC AND WAS ACTUALLY THE PROCESS OF SELLING SOME OF HIS ASSETS.

>> BUT NOW THEY ARE WORTHLESS.

EVERYTHING HERE GOT DESTROYED.

IN THE MIDDLE OF PUTTING THE PIECES TOGETHER AND SALVAGE WHATEVER WE SALVAGED OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS, AND I DON'T HAVE FLOOD INSURANCE SO THIS IS JUST A MASSIVE LOSS.

>> Reporter: ROMEO SAYS HE DOESN'T HAVE THE FUNDS FOR REPAIRS AND HAS TO CLOSE DOWN.

>> THE SPACE LOOKS LIKE A HURRICANE CAME THROUGH HERE.

THIS IS WILD.

THIS WASN'T EVEN THE WORST UNIT IN THIS AREA.

SOME OF THESE OTHER UNITS, IT'S EVEN CRAZIER.

>> Reporter: LIKE NATIVE POPPY AT THE END OF THE BUSINESS PARK.

>> OPENED THE DOOR THE WATER RUSHED OUT AND ALL THE MERCHANDISING AND GIFTS AND SUPPLIES WORK RUSHING BY ME.

>> Reporter: NATIVE POPPY FOUNDER NATALIE GILL SAID THERE WAREHOUSE LOOK LIKE AN AQUARIUM.

>> THE WHOLE WAREHOUSE WAS FILLED WITH THREE FEET OF WATER.

YOU CAN SEE THE WATER LINES IN HERE.

THEY ARE WAIST HEIGHT.

>> Reporter: THE FIRST CALL SHE MADE WAS WITH TO HER INSURANCE BROKER.

>> I WAS PANICKING BUT WITHOUT FLOOD INSURANCE AND HE SAID EVEN IF WE DID HAVE FLOOD INSURANCE, THAT DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN EVERYTHING WOULD BE COVERED.

I DON'T KNOW, I THINK LIKE SO MANY SAN DIEGO IS RIGHT NOW, THIS WAS A DISASTER.

I DON'T THINK ANYBODY KNOWS HOW TO PROCEED.

>> Reporter: GIL AND ROMEO ESTIMATE AT LEAST $100,000 IN DAMAGE AND NATIVE POPPY IS STILL RECOVERING FROM A CAR CRASHING INTO ONE OF THEIR FLOWER SHOPS A YEAR AND HALF AGO.

>> FOR SOME REASON THIS FEELS DIFFERENT.

THIS FEELS SADDER, HEAVIER.

MET INSURANCE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER SAYS FLOODING LIKE THIS IS BECOMING MORE COMMON.

>> CLIMATE CHANGE EXASPERATING EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS BIG, MENACING FLOODING THAT MAY HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE.

AND SO UNFORTUNATE, BUT THAT'S NOT THE TIME THAT YOU WANT TO LEARN THAT YOUR HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE OR YOUR BUSINESS COVERAGE DOESN'T COVER FLOODING.

THAT'S UNFORTUNATE WHAT A LOT OF PEOPLE FIND OUT.

>> Reporter: THE INSURANCE INFORMATION INSTITUTE RECOMMENDS REPORTING DAMAGES TO SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

THE COUNTY IS COLLECTING A DAMAGE ASSESSMENT SURVEY SO THEY CAN EXTENT ASSESS THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE AND ADVOCATE TO THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS FOR ASSISTANCE.

MELISSA MAE, KPBS NEWS.

>> Reporter: THE RAIN THAT DRENCHED SAN DIEGO ON MONDAY CREATED AN OUT-OF-CONTROL TORRENT OF WATER IN SOUTHEAST SAN DIEGO.

GREG MONTOYA STOOD OUTSIDE OF HIS HOUSE.

>> THE WATER CAME UP ALL THE WAY TO ABOUT THE FOUR FOOT MARK ON THAT FRONT DOOR.

THE INSIDE OF THE HOUSE IS TOTALED.

>> Reporter: THE BROWN WATER RAGED ALONG THE CONCRETE CANYON FLOWING OVER ITS BANKS.

THE TREES WERE UPROOTED.

FENCES PULLED DOWN.

CARS GOT TOSSED AROUND AND DRAGGED INTO THE MUDDY FLOODWATERS RAGING TOWARD SAN DIEGO BAY.

THE DAILIES OVERWROTE WOUND JOYCE CREEK WAREHOUSES SET NEXT TO THE CHILD SPOTS PRODUCE THE KIND OF THE GROUNDWORK SAN DIEGO HAS BEEN WORKING TO AVOID.

>> THE CREEK HAS MANY, MANY BRANCHES.

MANY OF THEM HAVE CONCRETE CHANNELS AND WHEN THE WATER HITS -- THE STORM WATER HITS THE STREET HE GOES INTO A STORM DRAIN AND GOES INTO THE CONCRETE CHANNEL AND WANT TO GO OUT AS QUICK AS POSSIBLE.

>> Reporter: THE DOWNPOUR CAME MOSTLY ON MONDAY MORNING WITH SEVERAL INCHES OF RAIN FALLING IN THE SPACE OF JUST A FEW HOURS.

>> LOOK AT THE FENCE POST.

FOR THAT TO HAPPEN, THAT HAS TO BE A LOT OF FORCE.

CARS WERE CARRIED AWAY.

AGAIN, BECAUSE THE WATER WAS GOING TOO FAST.

IF WE HAD THE ROOM, MAKE IT WIDER AND SLOW DOWN THE WATER THEN IT'S NOT QUITE AS IMPACTFUL.

>> Reporter: THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAY STORMS LIKE THIS ONE ARE NOT UNCOMMON IN THE REGION BUT THE INTENSITY OF THE RAINFALL GOT PEOPLE'S ATTENTION.

SAN DIEGO HAS A LONG HISTORY OF FLOODING THAT EL NIÑO AND CLIMATE CHANGE PLAYED A ROLE.

>> ON THE CLIMATE CHANGE IS REALLY DOING IS MAKING IT A LITTLE MORE EXTREME.

IT SOMETIMES IT IS DRY AND SOMETIMES IT'S WET AND SOMETIMES IT IS WARM AND COLD BUT IT IS EXACERBATING A CONDITION THAT IS ALREADY IN PLACE.

>> Reporter: EVEN THOUGH THE ATMOSPHERIC RIVER NEVER ACTUALLY CAME ASHORE, THE STORM PUSHED ENOUGH RAINFALL INTO THE COUNTY TO LIFT SEASONAL RAINFALL TOTALS OUT OF A DEFICIT TO JUST ABOVE NORMAL FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR.

>> IT CAN BE BENEFICIAL BECAUSE THEY BRING UP TO 50% OF OUR RECIPROCATION AND WE NEED THAT.

WE NEED THE WATER TO REFILL THE RESERVOIRS AND WATER LANDSCAPES BUT IF IT'S TOO INTENSE, THEY CAN BE HAZARDOUS.

>> Reporter: RAIN IS MOVING OUT OF THE REGION FOR A LITTLE WHILE.

THE NEXT STORM IS EXPECTED IN EARLY FEBRUARY.

ERIC ANDERSON, KPBS NEWS.

>>> OUR COVERAGE OF THE STORM IS THE FOCUS OF THIS WEEK'S KPBS ROUNDTABLE THAT INCLUDES KPBS REPORTER GUSTAVO SO LEAVES WITH THE STORM'S IMPACT ON TIJUANA.

ROUNDTABLE AIRS FRIDAY AT NOON ON KPBS FM WITH REPLACER AT THE WEEKEND.

YOU CAN ALSO STREAM IT AT KPBS.ORG AND ALL MAJOR PODCAST PLATFORMS.

>>> EARLY THURSDAY MORNING WORK GOT UNDERWAY THAT WILL DETERMINE THE REGIONS APPROACH TO HOMELESSNESS.

KPBS COVERED THE ANNUAL POINT IN TIME COUNT IN SAN DIEGO IN NORTH COUNTY.

HERE ARE THOSE STORES FROM KPBS.

>> Reporter: 16th STREET IN THE EAST VILLAGE, WELL BEFORE DAWN, IT IS COLD AND STILL DAMP FROM MONDAY'S DAILIES.

TWO VOLUNTEERS FROM FATHER JOSEPH VILLAGES WEARING ORANGE SAFETY VESTS SET OUT ON THEIR TEST.

THEY ASKED QUESTIONS.

SOME PERFUNCTORY.

>> OTHERS PRODUCE ANSWERS THAT ARE HEARTBREAKING.

>> THIS IS THE FIRST TIME YOU HAVE BEEN HOMELESS?

IN YOUR LIFE?

>> Reporter: THE NONPROFIT GOT DOWNTOWN SETTING A PARTNERSHIP SAYS THAT SINCE THE SAFE SLEEPING SITES OPEN, THE NUMBER OF HOMELESS IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA HAS DROPPED FROM ABOUT 1200 IN MAY OF LAST YEAR TO FEWER THAN 900 NOW.

LATER IN THE MORNING WE CAME DOWN HERE TO THE CITY'S FIRST SAFE SLEEPING SITE AND THE ONE LOCATED NEXT TO THE CITY OPERATIONS YARD.

IT'S ALSO LOCATED NEXT TO THIS MAJOR STORM DRAIN.

AS YOU MIGHT IMAGINE, ON MONDAY, THINGS GOT VERY WET, VERY FAST DOWN HERE.

>> THE WATER WAS LITERALLY UP TO MY KNEECAPS.

>> Reporter: SETH LIVE IN THE CITY'S LARGER SAFE SLEEPING SITE AT THE EDGE OF BALBOA PARK.

IT'S KNOWN AS THE A LOT.

HE WORKS AT THE SITE.

HE SAID THE WHOLE LOT THERE BETTER DURING MONDAY'S RAIN BUT LIVING IN A TENT DURING THE DAY LOSE DAILIES IS DIFFICULT.

>> IT'S REALLY COLD.

THINK I GOT MY SLEEPING BAG AND A BLANKET AND I KEEP WARM AT NIGHT.

>> Reporter: WE ASKED THE COUNCILMAN TO JOIN US THIS MORNING.

HE WAS THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THE CITY'S ENCAMPMENT MAN AND THE CREATION OF THE SAFE SLEEPING SITES.

>> HERE AT THE 20th SLEEPING SITE THERE WAS SOME WATER.

SO WE MOVED PEOPLE OUT OF THIS SITE AND INTO TEMPERATE SHELTER FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS.

THIS WRITER QUICKLY SO THEY ARE BACK NOW AND EVERYTHING IS FINE.

>> Reporter: EVERYTHING IS MOST DEATHLY NOT FINE FOR THOSE STILL ON THE STREETS LIKE FRANK WHO DROVE UP ON HIS BIKE WHILE WE WERE SHOOTING THE STORY.

>> I FEEL UNSAFE AND I FEEL LIKE I'M GOING CRAZY, MAN.

EVERY IMPAIRED I NEED SOME TYPE OF HELP.

I NEED HELP REALLY BAD.

>> Reporter: A STAFFER TOLD HIM WHERE TO GO TO GET THAT HELP THEM GET INTO A TENT HERE WHERE THERE IS SECURITY AND THERE ARE SERVICES THAT CAN HELP PEOPLE TRANSITION INTO HOUSING.

>> Reporter: THE POINT IN TIME COUNT WILL CONTINUE THIS EVENING.

A DATA POINT THAT WILL PUT A NUMBER OF THE HUMAN TRAGEDY OF HOMELESSNESS.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> IT WAS AN EARLY WAKE-UP CALL AT FOUR A.M. FOR NEARLY 60 VOLUNTEERS INVESTOR WHO TOOK PART IN THE 19 SNAPSHOT OF THE REGION'S HOMELESS POPULATION KNOWN AS A POINT IN TIME COUNT.

>> LOOKING FOR PEOPLE COMING THERE WAS A.

PEOPLE WITH THE SUBJECT UP AND PEOPLE TRASH IN THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE.

>> Reporter: KPBS JOINED A TEAM OF THREE VOLUNTEERS.

CATHERINE, JoANNE AND ALISHA AS THEY SET OUT IN THE DARK TO COVER THEIR SIGNED DISTRICT ALONG THE VISTA/SAN MARCUS PORTER.

>> I WORK WITH A LOT OF THE FAMILIES WHO ADVERSELY DON'T HAVE A HOUSE OR ARE LIVING IN THEIR VEHICLES.

TO MAKE DRIVING THROUGH BUSINESS CARDS, CANYONS AND ALMOST EVERYWHERE IN BETWEEN, THE GROUP SEARCH FOR PEOPLE WITHOUT A PROPER HOME.

IT IS NOT A PERFECT SYSTEM, VOLUNTEERS LOOK FOR CLUES TO GIVE THEM INSIGHT ON WHERE PEOPLE MAY BE SLIPPING.

>> WE DID FIND SEVERAL FAMILIES LIVING IN THEIR RVs AND THEIR CARS AND INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE WORKING ALSO.

MET DURING THE FOUR HOURS OF SCANNING THE TEAM ENCOUNTERED NUMEROUS PEOPLE THAT HOMES AND INTERVIEWED THOSE WHO WERE WILLING TO TALK.

ONE OF THEM WAS JASON WHO DIDN'T WANT TO USE HIS LAST NAME.

>> THERE ARE SOME GOOD PEOPLE OUT HERE TRYING HARD AND WORKING HARD AND DOING THEIR PART.

I HAVE ALWAYS PAY TAXES AND HELD A JOB.

I'VE NEVER TAKEN A SUBSIDY FROM THE GOVERNMENT OR FOOD STAMPS.

I WAS SUPPORTED MY CHILDREN.

I'VE ALWAYS DONE THAT ALL THE TIME.

MAKE IS A LONGTIME OCEANSIDE RESIDENT AND BECAME HOMELESS SIX YEARS AGO.

NOW HE SLEEPS IN A VAN IS PLACED OF WORK IN VISTA.

HE SAID THE COST OF FOOD, GAS AND HOUSING ARE JUST TOO MUCH.

>> RICE IS GOING UP IN RENT ESPECIALLY IN SAN DIEGO.

I COULDN'T AFFORD TO LIVE.

MY WIFE AT THE TIME WITH PERMANENTLY DISABLED WITH ASTHMA AND HAVE TWO CHILDREN AND ON A SINGLE INCOME COULD AFFORD IT ANYMORE.

MAKE THE DATA IN THE POINT AND COUNT MATTERS IT'S USED HOW TO DISTRIBUTE FEDERAL RELIEF FUNDING.

IT SHOULD GO TOWARD A REGIONAL SOLUTION.

>> NORTH COUNTY HOMELESSNESS IS NOT NECESSARILY A SINGLE CITY FROM.

WE HAVE THE SPRINTER LINEUP WITH THE 70 QUARTER.

SO A LOT OF OUR CLIENTS TRAVEL ACROSS THAT SOMEDAY CORRIDOR AND THEY MIGHT BE IN ESCONDIDO ON THE NEST NIGHT IN THIS VISTA, OCEANSIDE OR IS BAD.

>> Reporter: FORCED THE COUNTY DUE TO A COST OF LIVING, IT'S PERSONAL.

>> THE CONCERNS I HAVE FOR THE COMMITTEE WERE I GREW UP IN HAS BEEN A LOT OF NOT HAVING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

>> Reporter: OFFICIAL NUMBERS FOR THE POLE COUNT IS EXPECTED IN THE LATE SPRING OR EARLY SUMMER.

DRUG SAN DIEGO'S A LEADER AMONG CITIES THAT UPDATING THEIR ZONING LAWS TO ALLOW FOR MORE HOUSING.

MOST OF THE NEW HOMES BEING BUILT ARE STUDIOS AND ONE BEDROOM APARTMENTS.

KPBS METRO REPORTER ANDREW BOWEN SAYS THERE'S A GROWING MOVEMENT TO MAKE FAMILY SIZED APARTMENTS EASIER TO BUILD WITH A SIMPLE CHANGE TO THE BUILDING CODE.

>> BETWEEN THIS BUILDING AND HERE WILL BE A SMALL COURTYARD THAT WOULD BECOME A SHARED COURTYARD FOR THOSE WHO LIVE HERE AS WELL IS THE SEVEN FAMILIES IN THIS UNIT HERE.

>> Reporter: DAVID PEARSON IS SHOWING ME AROUND THE BACKYARD OF A HOUSE IN THE SAN DIEGO'S GRANT HILL NEIGHBORHOOD.

HE'S THE ARCHITECT ON A SMALL APARTMENT BUILDING HERE THAT IS SET TO BREAK GROUND THIS SUMMER.

>> THIS PROJECT IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF WHAT WE DO.

IT'S KEEPING THE HOME UP FRONT.

IT'S ADDING SEVEN UNITS IN THE BACK.

THOSE UNITS ARE GOING TO BE STUDIOS AND TWO BEDROOMS.

THE TWO BEDROOMS WILL HAVE A DEN/OFFICE SPACE THAT COULD BE USED EVEN FOR A NURSERY AND IN A FLEXIBLE WAY.

>> Reporter: DESIGNING BUILDINGS IS COMPLICATED AND EVERY INCH COUNTS.

PEARSON SAYS HE WAS ABLE TO INCORPORATE THESE FAMILY SIZED APARTMENTS BY DESIGNING THE PROJECT WITH ONLY ONE STAIRCASE.

HE SAYS SO-CALLED SINGLE STAIR BUILDINGS OFFER ARCHITECTS MORE FLEXIBILITY, LESS OF THE BUILDING IS TAKEN BY HALLWAYS AND STAIRCASES.

THAT MAKES IT EASIER TO INCORPORATE TWO AND THREE BEDROOM APARTMENTS WITH WINDOWS ON MULTIPLE SITES.

>> SO IT IS A NICE, LIGHT FILLED UNIT THAT CAN RELY LESS ON ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING AND CAN RELY LESS ON EXPENSIVE MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT TO HEAT AND COOL BECAUSE THE RESIDENTS OF THAT HOME HAVE JUST MORE CONTROL OF HOW TO OPEN A WINDOW AND CREATE A NICE BREEZE THROUGH THE UNIT.

>> Reporter: HERE IS THE CATCH.

IN MOST OF THE UNITED STATES SINGLE STAIR BUILDINGS CANNOT BE TALLER THAN THREE STORIES.

THAT MAKES THEM LESS ATTRACTIVE FOR HOMEBUILDERS.

THEY ARE INCENTIVIZED TO DESIGN APARTMENTS LIKE HOTELS WITH TWO STAIRCASES ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE BUILDING CONNECTED BY A LONG HALLWAY.

PEARSON IS PART OF A GROWING MOVEMENT TO BRING THE LOCAL AND STATE BUILDING CODES IN LINE WITH EUROPE, LATIN AMERICA AND ASIA WHERE SINGLE STAIR BUILDINGS CAN GO UP AT TWO STORIES AND SOMETIMES TALLER.

>> MY INITIAL REACTION WAS A BIT OF CONCERN.

>> TONY TOSCA IS SAN DIEGO'S FIRE MARSHAL.

HE OVERSEES BUILDING INSPECTIONS TO MAKE SURE THEY MEET LIFE AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS.

THE THREE-STORY LIMIT ON SINGLE STAIR BUILDINGS EMERGED IN THE EARLY 20th CENTURY AS APARTMENT FIRES WERE RAVAGING AMERICAN CITIES.

BUILDING REGULATORS WANTED TO ENSURE AS RESIDENTS WERE EVACUATING FROM A FIRE, FIREFIGHTERS COULD STILL GET IN.

>> PEOPLE ARE GOING UP THERE TO EFFECTIVELY FIGHT FIRES AND SET UP THERE OPERATIONS.

AND PEOPLE ARE ALSO COMING OUT.

THERE'S A COMPETING FACTOR AND THAT'S A HUGE CONCERN FOR ME.

>> Reporter: AT THE SAME TIME, TOSCA ACKNOWLEDGES FIRE PREVENTION AND SUPPRESSION TECHNOLOGY HAS ADVANCED IN LEAPS AND BOUNDS.

CALIFORNIA REQUIRES SPRINKLER SYSTEMS IN EVERY NEW APARTMENT BUILDING.

FURNITURE HAS TO BE FIRE RESISTANT.

THAT IS WHY TOSCA IS KEEPING AN OPEN MIND.

>> DEFINITELY HOUSING IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE IN CALIFORNIA SPECIFICALLY IN SENEGAL.

AS LONG AS THERE'S SOMETHING THAT MAINTAINS THAT LIFE/SAFETY ASPECT THEN WE ARE ALL IN SUPPORT OF IT.

BUT WE GOT TO MAKE SURE IT IS DONE THE RIGHT WAY.

>> THE WAY WE MODIFY ZONING VERSUS MODIFIED HOLDING CODE ARE TWO DIFFERENT ANIMALS.

>> Reporter: ADMIN DOSE IS A POLICY DIRECTOR FOR THE LIVABLE COMMUNITIES INITIATIVE WHICH IS ADVOCATING FOR SINGLE STAIR REFORM.

IT HAS SUPPORTED A LAW PASSED LAST YEAR THAT DIRECTED THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL TO DO A STUDY ON THE SAFETY OF SINGLE STAIR APARTMENT BUILDINGS.

MENDOZA SAID THE STUDY NEEDS TO LOOK AT REAL-WORLD EXAMPLES.

HE SAYS SEATTLE LEGALIZED SINGLE STAIR BUILDINGS UP TWO STORIES IN THE 1970s.

AND THERE HAS BEEN NO MEASURABLE TRADE-OFF ON SAFETY.

>> WE WANT TO ARGUE FOR THE SEPARATE REFORM IN GOOD FAITH.

YOU DON'T WANT HEARSAY.

WE DON'T WANT ANECDOTES.

WE WANT FACTS.

AND HOPEFULLY THE FACTS CARRY US THROUGH.

>> Reporter: MENDOZA AND DAVID PEARSON MET WITH AN AIDE TO SAN DIEGO MAYOR TODD GLORIA LAST YEAR TO DISCUSS LOCAL SINGLE STAIR REFORM.

PEARSON HOPES CITY OFFICIALS TAKE THE IDEA TO HEART.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE CITY LOOK AT BUILDING CODE REFORM AS A MEANS TO CREATE GOOD, SAFE DESIGNED FAMILY UNITS.

THAT ULTIMATELY PROVIDE MORE AND MORE FREEDOM OF CHOICE FOR THE RESIDENTS OF SAN DIEGO TO STAY PUT IN SAN DIEGO AND NOT MOVE OUT TO THE SUBURBS.

>> Reporter: THE STATEWIDE STUDY ON SINGLE STAIR REFORM IS DUE TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.

ANDREW BOWEN KPBS NEWS.

>>> A FORMER FAMILY NEIGHBORHOOD COULD BECOME SAN DIEGO'S LARGEST HISTORIC DISTRICT TO DATE.

WE LOOKED INTO WHY CRITICS SAY IT WOULD REINFORCE RACIAL DIVIDES.

>> THIS IS A VERY COMMON FEATURE OF THESE HACIENDA STYLE HOUSES.

THESE CALIFORNIA RANCHES.

IT'S THIS ORNATE WOODWORK ON THE GARAGE DOOR.

>> Reporter: LAURA HENSON POINTS OUT THE HOUSE A NORMAL DRIVE JUST DIDN'T DEPRESSION ERA FEATURED FOR TILE ROOFING AND ENCLOSED COURTYARD.

IT'S ONE OF MORE THAN 400 PROPERTIES THAT COULD BE PROTECTED IF THE CITY'S PRESERVATION BOARD VOTES THURSDAY TO RECOMMEND THIS AS A HISTORIC DISTRICT.

HENSON SAID IT'S IMPORTANT TO PRESERVE THE HISTORY OF THESE HOMES, FINANCED BY HOLLYWOOD ELITE AND SUBSIDIZED BY ROOSEVELT'S NEW DEAL.

CRITICS SAY THERE'S ANOTHER SIDE TO THAT HISTORY.

THEIR FILMS INCLUDED RACIST PORTRAYALS.

THE SUBSIDIES ALMOST NEVER EXTENDED TO BLACK HOME BUYERS.

AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD MARKETED IT ITSELF AS WHITES ONLY BOOSTING PROPERTY VALUES.

TODAY, THE CITY LIST TALMAGE AS ONE OF THREE RACIALLY SEGREGATED AREAS OF WEALTH.

WESLEY MORGAN SAID NAMING IT A HISTORIC DISTRICT WOULD WORSEN THIS DIVIDE BY INCREASING HOME PRICES, DECREASING PROPERTY TAXES, AND SLOWING HOUSING DEVELOPMENT.

>> IT IS DEFINITELY A FORM OF PRIVILEGE WHERE THOSE WHO HAVE THE RESOURCES TO INVEST IN THE TIME TO LOOK INTO HISTORY AND WRITE REPORTS BENEFIT FROM ALL OF THE PRIVILEGE THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO PUT INTO THAT.

>> Reporter: HE SAID THAT LACK OF DIVERSITY FAILS THE REST OF SAN DIEGO.

>> THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE WILL NEVER LIVE IN A HISTORIC DISTRICT.

THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO LIVE THERE AND THOSE ARE THE HIGHEST RESOURCE AREAS.

THOSE OF THE HEIRS WITH THE BEST SCHOOLS IN THE SAFEST STREETS.

>> Reporter: THE BOARD WILL VOTE THURSDAY AT 1:30 P.M. >>> THAT STORY BY KATIE WAS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR THIS WEEK.

HERE ARE SOME OTHERS.

DRUG SAN DIEGO COUNTY IS OFFERING DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE TO FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS.

SOLO ADOPTION IS DECLINING IN CALIFORNIA AFTER NEW RULES TAKE HOLD.

AND OF COURSE, ARE STORM COVERAGE, WE WILL HAVE MORE OF IT IN THE DAYS AHEAD.

YOU CAN ALSO FIND THE STORIES AT THAT KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE.

>>> AT THE SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL HAS APPROVED SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES TO THE CITIES SURVEILLANCE TRANSPARENCY LAW.

SCOTT ROB REPORTS THAT PRIVACY ADVOCATES SAY THE CHANGES WATERED DOWN HARD REFORMS.

>> Reporter: SENEGAL HAS A ROCKY HISTORY WITH SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGY.

IN 2016 FOR EXAMPLE, THE CITY ROLLED OUT SO-CALLED SMART STREETLIGHT EQUIPPED WITH CAMERAS.

WHICH POLICE BEGAN TO REVIEW WITHOUT THE PUBLIC KNOWING.

SO PRIVACY RIGHTS ADVOCATES CELEBRATED IN 2022 WHEN THE CITY PASSED AN ORDINANCE REQUIRING A REVIEW OF ALL SURVEILLANCE EQUIPMENT WITHIN ONE YEAR.

FAST FORWARD TO TODAY, THAT DEADLINE HAS BEEN PUSHED BACK BY SEVERAL YEARS.

A FEW TECHNOLOGIES HAVE BEEN FULLY VETTED AND PRIVACY RIGHTS ADVOCATES SOUND LIKE THIS.

>> WE ARE FURIOUS.

TODAY'S VOTE IS A TIME TO SHOW THE PEOPLE WATCHING THAT YOU STAND BY YOUR WORDS.

>> I'M NOT AVERSE TO UPDATING PRIVACY UNITS FOR GOOD-FAITH ADJUSTMENTS BUT THESE MASS EXEMPTIONS CANNOT BE ALLOWED.

>> Reporter: THAT WAS A LILY AND TO LIVE SPEAKING DURING THE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING ON TUESDAY.

THE COUNCIL VOTED TO EXEMPT TECHNOLOGY SUCH AS SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS AND POLICE DATABASES FROM REVEAL.

THE MAYOR'S OFFICE PUSHED FOR THE CHANGES ARE GOING THE ORDINANCE IS TOO BROAD AND WOULD REQUIRE TIME-CONSUMING REVIEWS FOR BASIC TOOLS INCLUDING EMAIL NEWSLETTER SOFTWARE AND SOCIAL MEDIA APPS.

AND THE CHANGES WILL LIKELY KEEP COMING.

THE COUNCIL MEMBER MARTY CHAIRS THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE.

>> I WILL BRING THIS ORDINANCE FOR AMENDMENT AS OFTEN AS WE NEED BECAUSE WE HAVE TO WORK TO GET THIS RIGHT.

AND THAT'S THE VOTING SYSTEM.

>> Reporter: COUNCILMEMBERS IMPROVE THE CHANGES WITH A SIX- TO VOTE.

>>> THE STORM TO SAN DIEGO IS NOT THE ONLY BIG ENVIRONMENT IS A SUITE FOR ANOTHER LANDSLIDE IN ORANGE COUNTY IS DISRUPTING TRAIN TRAFFIC.

ALEXANDER NGUYEN HAS DETAILS ON WHEN THE TRACKS WILL REOPEN.

>> Reporter: THE LOS ANGELES/ST.

LOUIS/SAN LUIS RAILROAD QUARTER IS THE SECOND BIGGEST RAIL CORRIDOR IN THE NATION ACCORDING TO THE SAN DIEGO ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS.

IT'S SAN DIEGO'S ONLY READ CONNECTION TO THE REST OF THE NATION.

SO WHEN RAIL TRAFFIC STOPS, BECAUSE A LANDSLIDE THAT THE TRACKS, IT NOT ONLY DISRUPTS PASSENGER SERVICE.

>> THERE WAS A WOMAN THERE WHO WAS SPANISH-SPEAKING AND SHE HAD RIDDEN THE TRAIN FROM RIVERSIDE.

SHE LANDED AT THE LAGUNA NIGUEL /MISSION VIEJO STATION AND SHE WAS TRYING TO GET TO VISTA.

SHE DID NOT KNOW THE TRAINS HAD BEEN CLOSED DOWN AND SHE WAS STUCK.

>> Reporter: IT ALSO DISRUPTS COMMERCE.

>> JUST AS IMPORTANT ARE THE BILLION DOLLARS IN COMMERCE THAT FLOWS THROUGH THE RAIL CORRIDOR EVERY YEAR.

>> Reporter: CONGRESSMAN MIKE LEVIN HAD AT THAT POINT DURING A NEWS CONFERENCE ANNOUNCING THE NEED TO REPLACE THE 109 -YEAR-OLD RIVER BRIDGE.

>> THIS MORNING WE HAD TO HOPE TO GO ALL UP TO LOS ANGELES AND UNION STATION.

>> Reporter: INSTEAD HE ENDED HIS WRETCH UP IN OCEANSIDE BEFORE DRIVING TO SAN CLEMENTE TO TO THE LENGTH AT WHICH TOOK OUT A PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE.

>> MOTHER NATURE ALWAYS WINS AND WE HAVE TO BE MINDFUL THAT REGARDLESS OF WHAT WE DO WITH THIS QUARTER, IF IT STAYS WHERE IT IS OR IF PARTS OF IT ARE RELOCATED, REGARDLESS ANY EVENT WILL TAKE SIGNIFICANT FEDERAL INVESTMENT.

>> Reporter: THAT'S WHERE 53.8 MILLION FUNDING FROM THE BIPARTISAN FOR SUCH A BILL COMES IN.

IT WILL BE USED TO REPLACE THE BRIDGE MOVING IT FROM A SINGLE TRACK TO A DOUBLE TRACK AND RAISING THE BRIDGE BY EIGHT FEET BECAUSE OF SEA LEVEL RISE.

ALSO HAD A SPECIAL STOP AT THE DELMAR FAIRGROUNDS.

STATE SENATOR SAYS IS A PRECURSOR TO MOVING THE TRACKS UNDERGROUND AND AWAY FROM THE BLUFFS IN DELMAR.

>> THE TRAIT IS OUR SOLUTION.

PART OF THE SOLUTION TO THE CLIMATE CRISIS, TO OUR EQUITY CONCERNS, TO REDUCING CONGESTION ON LOCAL ROADS CUT TO IMPROVING THE WELL-BEING AND HEALTH OF COMMITTEES.

>> Reporter: A FEW YEARS AGO SEVERAL BLUFF COLLAPSES DISRUPTED THE CORRIDOR.

NOW THAT'S HAPPENING IS A CLEMENTE.

SEVERAL LANDSLIDES HAVE HAPPENED HERE IN SACRAMENTO.

OVER THERE IS WHERE THAT HAPPENED AND NOW THIS LANDSLIDE.

SAN CLEMENTE'S COUNCILMEMBER CHRIS DUNCAN WAS NOT PLEASED BUT HE SAID THE CORRIDOR SHOULD REOPEN IN A FEW DAYS.

>> IS FRUSTRATING FOR ME AND REALLY FRUSTRATING FOR THE RESIDENTS TO GET TO ENJOYS THIS BETRAYAL.

>> Reporter: SECURING FUNDING FOR FUTURE IF THE STRUCTURE NEEDS OF THE CORRIDOR IS WHY HALF $1 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL FUNDING WAS ANNOUNCED TO GET ON THE CORRIDOR ID PROGRAM.

>>> WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED KPBS NEWS: THIS WEEK .

I AM AMITA SHARMA .

THANK YOU FOR