Featured letter of the week
Re: Guest editorial by Elizabeth Robinson: A rebuttal to Mat Wahlstrom [Volume 8, Issue 5 or bit.ly/1QBmSjg]
I could spend a lot of time exposing the obvious misdirections in Ms. Robinson’s rebuttal:
Her arguing about density using maps based on proposed densities rather than maps showing existing conditions.
Or her ignoring that the Interim Height Ordinance was the result of the community soundly rejecting the 100- and 200-foot heights allowed in the old plan, and the continued desire of almost every community group to maintain its limits.
Or her repeated assertion that the massive development Uptown Gateway Council proposes will automatically result in affordable housing, despite evidence elsewhere to the contrary, unanswered questions from the press, and Gateway’s own letter to the city that argued against “restrictions such as affordable housing requirements or open space requirements which would reduce land value.”
Instead I’d rather bring attention to her use of climate action to promote the pro-developer agenda.
As I mentioned in my guest editorial, the lobbyist behind the Gateway group is the same as behind One Paseo, Marcela Escobar-Eck.
Ms. Escobar-Eck was also the city of San Diego’s director of development services when the Sunroad developer was allowed to cut back on parking since it is near transit — which is what is proposed for Hillcrest. And since Hillcrest already meets the 10 accepted principles of smart growth, except for a deficit of green space and parks, there has yet to be an explanation of how development in Hillcrest doesn’t already fit the Climate Action Plan.
Ms. Escobar-Eck is also, along with the developer who wrote up Gateway’s “financial feasibility” study, Gary London, on the board of Circulate San Diego. Circulate San Diego has a history of its associates taking public positions in conflict of interest and endorsed one of their employees, Maya Rosas, for election to the board of Uptown Planners on March 1. Ms. Rosas is also an employee of the Gateway’s paid lobbyist, the Atlantis Group. I would be remiss not to mention that Ms. Robinson ran for the board. [Editor’s note: This was written before the election. Rosas was elected to the Uptown Planners, but Robinson was not.]
When you consider that Circulate San Diego was also instrumental in crafting the Climate Action Plan — and endorsing One Paseo — and that the former deputy director of Circulate San Diego, Elyse Lowe, is the current deputy director of project submittal and management for the city of San Diego, the real purpose of the Climate Action Plan becomes suspect.
All of which begs the question: Who is the city listening to — the community, or a developers’ special interest group?
Note: this same response but with hyperlinks to citations is posted online here: bit.ly/1UQBXAI.
—Mat Wahlstrom via our website, sduptownnews.com
Density debate continues
Re: Turning back time [Volume 8, Issue 5 or bit.ly/1Tqt7Km]
This isn’t about raising densities, the city of San Diego is proposing lowering densities to keep millennials from moving to Uptown. As Mr. Williams pointed out, both the June 2015 and January 2016 proposed Land Use maps would reduce the number of housing units that the city would allow to be built in Hillcrest and other areas of Uptown in the future.
Why would the city want keep people from living within walking distance of jobs, stores and bus stops? Because the anti-growth groups got control of the Uptown Planners.
—Sharon Gehl via our website
I find it interesting that Hillcrest is now supposed to take advice from representatives of Pernicano’s on how to be “vibrant.”
Wasn’t Pernicano’s abandoned and allowed to become a decrepit eyesore in central Hillcrest for 30 years?
Hillcrest won an award a few years ago as one of the 10 best neighborhoods in the United States. It was praised for its ideal blend of density, walkability, amenities, sustainability, green space, transit, etc.
It is not Hillcrest that needs to change, it is other parts of San Diego that need to change and become more like Hillcrest.
But guess where most of the density and population increase for Uptown is going to be dumped if planners have their way?
That’s right. Hillcrest.
Bankers Hill has already been approved for numerous high rises that haven’t been built yet (I know because I was on Uptown Planners when they were approved.) Other parts of Uptown like Mission Hills are not going to see much of a density increase.
High-rise housing is not affordable housing. Just look at Manhattan and Hong Kong.
Those concerned about climate change should concentrate on the sprawling suburbs of San Diego, not Hillcrest.
Enough of these red herrings. Greed and gentrification are not “smart growth.”
—Andrew Towne via our website
About that guest editorial
Re: Guest editorial by Elizabeth Robinson: A rebuttal to Mat Wahlstrom [Volume 8, Issue 5 or bit.ly/1QBmSjg]
Elizabeth Robinson is right, we need to fight climate change and provide more housing in San Diego.
Rather than lowering densities to keep people from moving to Uptown, the city should increase it so that more people can live close enough to walk to jobs in the medical complex, walk to stores, walk to restaurants, and walk to bus stops; rather than having to drive everywhere.
More housing in Uptown would mean housing would be more affordable to buy or rent for everyone. And more housing near jobs means less cars on the road.
—Sharon Gehl via our website
Well at least the author is honest. She admits they want to tear down affordable housing so they can build high-end condos. But no need to worry, they think those condos will decay fast enough so they will be affordable in a couple of decades. So if you’re one of the unlucky ones who loses your current affordable housing, you will probably be able to move back to the area in 30 or 40 years. Providing their crystal balls are right.
—Bob Martynec via our website
High-rise housing is not affordable housing. It is expensive luxury housing.
As for climate change, the sprawling suburbs of San Diego are where that problem should be addressed. Those suburbs and outer neighborhoods need to become more like Hillcrest. It is not Hillcrest that needs to change.
—Andrew Towne via our website
“Ms. Robinson promotes high densities and tall buildings — way in excess of what’s appropriate for the narrow streets of Hillcrest.”
Because those windy streets in Paris with 4-5 story apartment buildings next to them are just downright hideous, aren’t they? See image at bit.ly/1LbRn0i.
Egads, it’s positively vile!
BTW, “studies show” without a link doesn’t help your argument.
—Robert Lawson via our website
Ms. Robinson promotes high densities and tall buildings — way in excess of what’s appropriate for the narrow streets of Hillcrest.
Community activists are generally not opposed to improved mass transportation, or to added density on transit corridors. They are opposed to excessive densities — appearing under the guise of environmentalism.
Many studies show that 20-40 dwelling units per acre (du/ac) is enough density to meet compact development goals for mass transit, biking and walking. One SANDAG guideline, 40-74 du/ac, is a bit higher.
In any case, the June 2015 maps from city planners, with a proposed density for western Hillcrest of 44 du/ac, would allow enough density to meet city goals for transportation and Climate Action.
—Tom Mullaney via our website
Sky-high prices
Re: Unreal estate [Volume 8, Issue 5 or bit.ly/1R5UusQ]
People are moving close to urban centers as they realize commutes are soul destroying and suburban homogeneity isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Meanwhile, NIMBY’s fight all new construction tooth and nail and it’s a nice area. Given time you’ll see 3 grand a month for a one bedroom place. But then, that’s what happens when you let landowners vote against all new housing.
—Robert Lawson via our website
Love my electric bike
Re: Are electric bicycles worth the buzz? [Volume 8, Issue 5 or bit.ly/1UbU5Et]
I too was adamant at giving an e-bike a try. I am almost 60 and love riding but was always discouraged riding 20 miles one way to have the wind against me the 20 miles back — or riding up one steep hill only to be huffing and puffing all the way to the top! I now regularly ride an e-bike and love it! e-bikes take bicycle riding to another level! I can understand if your a stuffy ol’ stone face serious “road biker” (you guys don’t smile much anyways) but if you love the outdoors and love to pedal (I’m not into throttles) which some e-bikes offer and just love the freedom of riding 20-30 miles without being exhausted — I guarantee you will have a smile on your face the whole ride! I do!
—Penny via our website
Once people try some e-bikes and get more familiar with them and as costs continue to come down and performance continues to go up, they will start to very quickly gain market share. No question about it. What is interesting about e-bikes is that until you have actually ridden a good one and see how they work first hand, it’s quite easy to miss their full implications and transformative nature.
—David via our website
Food review ‘spot on’
Re: Mediterranean street food on Fifth Avenue [Volume 8, Issue 5 or bit.ly/1Yt8MDy]
Thanks to Frank for this write-up. Was out n’ about in the neighborhood a few days back and remembered this review, so I headed over to Spitz to try it out. I’ll be damned if he wasn’t spot on about everything. Incredible food. Will be back many, many times.
—Dustin via our website
Love the food and atmosphere but turned off by waiting in line to order.
—Chris Elias via Facebook
About that complaint
Re: Saving the Golden Hill Fountain Grotto [Volume 8, Issue 2 or bit.ly/1nEhwcV]
Wow. This “Morgan” person should get a real problem to complain about! Thank you to all of those who pitched in for their community and for the Boy Scout who saw a need and decided to do something about it!
—Heidi Flynn via our website
‘Blinding in the daylight’
Re: Big changes underway at iconic ‘Mister A’s building’ [Volume 7, Issue 19 or bit.ly/1LwttpM]
The new coat of stark white paint on the ground level is blinding in the daylight as equally as the new LED lights that illuminate the building at night. If I were a resident of the Park Laurel condo tower next door, I would be very disappointed to have that glare invade my living room. I nominate those “enhancements” for an Onion Award!
—Mike D via our website
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