Two Lemon Grove City Council members walked out of a council meeting on March 3 in protest, escalating a fight over a tenant protection ordinance that has divided the city government and drawn accusations of a conflict of interest against Mayor Alysson Snow.

Councilmembers Seth Smith and Yadira Altamirano left during a discussion on forming a stakeholder committee for a temporary emergency ordinance approved in February. The ordinance, which Snow championed, requires landlords to give tenants at least 120 days’ notice before a no-fault eviction and provides relocation assistance of one month’s rent at fair market value — two months for seniors, disabled residents, and low-income tenants.

Altamirano said the ordinance was "rushed" and "not crafted properly," and stated she would reverse it if she could. She and Smith also alleged that Snow, who works as a housing rights attorney at the University of San Diego, had a conflict of interest in pushing the measure. Snow denied the allegation, and city attorney Kristen Steinke confirmed there was no conflict.

The dispute has its roots in complaints from residents of the Serra Grove apartment complex, who alleged their landlords improperly used the substantial renovations provision to evict tenants. Snow sided with those residents and pushed for the emergency ordinance after an initial proposal was rejected 3-2.

The council ultimately agreed to skip a stakeholder group and instead hold two public meetings conducted by staff within the next few months to gather community input on whether to make the temporary protections permanent. Renters and landlords across East County are watching — Lemon Grove’s decision could set a precedent for other local jurisdictions weighing similar measures. (Source: East County Magazine)