Measure E: Redeveloping Midway is Not the End of the World
A short history lesson is helpful to understand why this measure is controversial.
In 1972 voters in San Diego overwhelmingly approved Measure D, which limited construction west of Interstate 5 to structures no more than thirty feet tall.
It was a true grassroot initiative growing out of discontent in beach communities about oversized developments being plopped down along the shore line.
A members only group called Pen, Inc drafted a development plan in the late 1960s, which would have led to replacing much of the Beach in Ocean Beach with a marina and high rises. There was massive community opposition to the idea.
Despite having more than enough signatures to get the height limit on the ballot in 1971, the San Diego City Council opted to let the measure marinate for a year, hoping enthusiasm would go away.
Voters in every part of the city approved the measure in November 1972 by nearly a two to one margin. Then came the lawsuits. Only after the US Supreme Court refused to hear their appeal in 1976 did the building industry give up trying to torpedo the height limit.
Frank Gormlie’s detailed history of the fight to save the essential character of the beach communities is a must read for understanding just how intense the fight was.
Out of the struggle grew the OB Planning Group, consisting of elected neighborhood representatives who kept an eye on building proposals. Re-reading the history of the group in the OB Rag, makes it clear that vigilance against violations of the Community Plan was (and is) a never ending process.
When people act surprised about opposition to plans currently being bandied about for redevelopment of the Midway-Pacific area, it’s clear they aren’t aware of the historic struggle behind enacting the 30 foot height limit.
It’s hard to let go of a memory of a community rising up that was so righteous. If you think the political environment in San Diego is bad these days, you should hear how horrible it was fifty years ago. People who weren’t there just can’t get how emotional this topic can be.
Having said all that, I’m about to piss off a bunch of people.
Measure E, which would require citywide approval to lift that height limit in an area with no views or beach access, isn’t such a bad idea.
I don’t buy the slippery slope argument; this area vs the beach communities is apples vs oranges.
Will the city build or require the infrastructure necessary to support such an expansion of population? Probably not. Like everything else that gets done around here, they’ll have to figure it out on the fly. But that will be true (because!) no matter where developments happen. And building in the Midway-Pacific area is a lot better than tearing up Cleveland National Forest.
Take a tour of the area in question, and you’ll come away with an impression of just how ugly a few city blocks can be. Strip clubs, strip malls, big box stores, parking lots, and the single worst concert venue I’ve ever seen a show in define the area.
It has about as much soul as roadkill.
If there was ever an area in San Diego where building up, not out, made sense, this is it. Yes, I realize that this rehab will line the pockets of greedy developers and do next to nothing to solve the lack of moderate and low income housing. Unfortunately, other than simply leaving the area to rot, I don’t see an alternative.
We need densification now, not in the 2030s. Without more people living in an area, developing non-car transportation schemes is simply a no-go. This is a space where that can happen. While the city has 'selected' a developer for the area surrounding the Sports Arena, the actual plans are far from done, so there’s some wiggle room to make whatever gets built more sane.
So yeah, I’m going to vote for Measure E. The people actively opposed to it mostly live outside that area. And the assorted planning groups and civic organizations in the area say this is what they want.
Measure E: Removing 30-Foot Height Limit in Midway-Pacific Highway Community Plan Area
Measure Ballot Summary: This measure would amend the San Diego Municipal Code (Municipal Code) to exclude the Midway-Pacific Highway Community Plan area (Community Plan area) from the existing 30-foot height limit on buildings.
Placed on Ballot by City Council
Voting Threshold Required: 50%+1
Supporters: San Diegans for Midway Revitalization - Yes on E
Arguments for measure E were signed by City Councilmembers Chris Cate and Dr Jen Campbell, Midway property owner Cathy Kenton, Midway resident Dike Anyiwo, and Climate Action Campaign’s Nicole Capretz
Arguments against Measure E were signed by Save Our Access’ John McNab, Chairman 1972 Coastal Height-Limit Initiative Alex Leondis, Save San Diego Neighborhoods’ Ronan Gray, and Raise the Balloon’s James LaMattery.
$$$$
Committees Dedicated to Supporting Measure E
San Diegans for Midway Revitalization - Yes on E -$30,000
(preliminary report)
Opponents: There is no organized opposition to Measure E.(Yet)
Articles about Measure E
Measure E would end 30-foot height limit for Midway District
Midway Planners Get on Board 'Remove 30 Foot Height Limit' Train
PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE COASTAL HEIGHT LIMIT OVERLAY ZONE IN THE MIDWAY DISTRICT
Next up: Mostly boring races for state legislative seats
Voter Guide – You’ve Voted for President, what’s next?
I’ll be writing about many ballot measures and candidates between now and the end of September. That work will be condensed into a handy-dandy voter guide just in time for your mail-in ballots to arrive. I’m the guy who coordinated San Diego Free Press’s Voter Guides over the past decade, so this won’t be my first effort. Stay tuned.
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