In April, Midway-Pacific Highway Community Planning Group unanimously endorsed a proposal from City Council members Dr. Jennifer Campbell and Chris Cate to place the eradication of the 30-foot height requirement for the Midway District and Pechanga Arena San Diego on the November general election ballot.
“I’m glad to see the MPHCPG support the proposal to amend the municipal code to exclude Midway from the Coastal Height Limit Overlay Zone. We want to create a more walkable, sustainable and modern Midway that will be a vision for how to build a community moving forward,” said Campbell, whose District 2 includes Bay Ho, Bay Park, Morena, Midway, North Bay, Mission Bay, Mission Beach, Point Loma, Ocean and Pacific beaches.
The 2018 Midway-Pacific Highway Community Plan Update calls for “a vibrant, balanced, and pedestrian-oriented community that provides residential, commercial, office, industrial, institutional, military, and civic uses.” Additionally, the plan update envisions a community that supports active transportation and a mix of employment opportunities and housing types for all ages, incomes and social groups. “The first step in this process was the recommendation was to be heard by the (council’s) rules committee today, but that has been postponed to May 14,” said MPHCPG chair Cathy Kenton, adding, “There are two ways to get on the ballot: by a citizen’s initiative petition drive, and by a council initiative, which is much preferred and much less expensive. You don’t have to pay for gathering signatures.”
Added Kenton: “I feel strongly this is in the best interests of not only the Midway community but the best interests of the City of San Diego. Everybody knows the 30-foot height limit was approved with Prop. D back in the ’70s, and it was intended to prevent Miami Beach-type high-rises erected along the waterfront. Midway is certainly not an (ocean) view corridor. What we’re doing here is basically correcting a mistake.”
Midway community planner Dike Anyiwo agreed.
“Not only is this issue critically important to our Midway community, but particularly during this pandemic crisis,” Anyiwo said. “We’ve got to start thinking bigger picture. This is a good thing for us. I think it’s imperative.”
Planning colleague Judy Holiday concurred.
“Groups that are interested in redeveloping and revitalizing the sports arena area, this is part of what they would need,” Holiday said. “We don’t want to see super-duper high-rises. But it’s very important to have the right kind of development happen. We want to see our community plan really transforms our community. It’s critical that we be able to do this with that height limit.”
The next step for the proposed height-limit elimination ballot measure is the May 13 Rules Committee where, if approved, it will move on in the process to be placed on the November general election ballot.
“This is what the community has been asking for,” said Campbell. “Residents of Midway have long felt that their community wasn’t given the same attention as other beach and bay neighborhoods. We are truly listening to their voices and what they want to see. While there are many miles to go before creating that community, having support from groups like the MPHCPG will make it possible.”