CITY OF SAN DIEGO—Would exclude the Midway-Pacific Highway Community Plan area from the 30-foot height limit for development in the Coastal Zone. Measure C requires a simple majority (50% + 1) to pass.
Fiscal Impact: Would be dependent on the type and mix of land uses as well as long-term market demand for these uses in order to determine the net fiscal impact to the General Fund.
Next San Diego County Measure: Measure D
Pro:
Proponents of Measure C argue it will create thousands of affordable homes and good paying jobs, revitalize the dilapidated Midway area, and create a vibrant neighborhood San Diego families can finally enjoy: a modern Sports Arena, public parks, millions in funding for San Diego schools and overdue infrastructure repairs—without raising taxes. They argue Measure C is the catalyst to modernizing the 54-year old Sports Arena and is the key to creating a pedestrian-friendly, transit-oriented community with entertainment, shops and outdoor recreation.
A YES vote on this measure means: The City would exclude the Midway-Pacific Highway Community Plan area from the 30-foot height limit for development in the Coastal Zone.
Con:
Opponents of Measure C argue it will increase congestion, block coastal views and access, and unfairly benefit developers and special interests at a cost to taxpayers. They argue Measure C allows dense construction of expensive residential towers within the coastal zone, and city politicians put this measure on the ballot to reward their developer and special interest friends with lucrative contracts and development deals.
A NO vote on this measure means: The City would maintain the status quo and not exclude the Midway-Pacific Highway Community Plan area from the 30-foot height limit for development in the Coastal Zone.
VoteNoOnC.org (Campaign Website)
KeepTheCoast30.org (Campaign Website)
In 1972, City of San Diego (City) voters passed Proposition D. Proposition D was a citizens’ initiative that amended the San Diego Municipal Code (Municipal Code) to impose a 30-foot limit on the height of buildings constructed in the City’s Coastal Zone.
The Coastal Zone, as defined by Proposition D and included in the Municipal Code, includes the City’s land and water area from the northern City limits, south to the border of Mexico, extending seaward to the outer limit of the City’s jurisdiction and inland to Interstate 5. The Coastal Zone excludes the land bounded by National City on the south, San Diego Bay on the west, and Laurel Street or the southwesterly projection of Laurel Street on the north.
This measure would amend the language placed in the Municipal Code by Proposition D in one community plan area only. Because voters approved the original language, voters are now asked to consider an amendment to the language through this measure.
The amendment would allow buildings, or additions to buildings, that exceed the 30-foot height limit to be built in the Midway-Pacific Highway Community Plan area (Community Plan area). The Community Plan area contains approximately 1,324 acres of land surrounding Midway Drive and Sports Arena Boulevard, including the Pechanga Sports Arena. The Community Plan area is shown on a map in the voter pamphlet that is incorporated into this ballot measure.
The measure is similar to the amendment approved by a majority of the City’s voters in November 2020 (Measure E), which was invalidated by a Superior Court decision. The City has appealed the Superior Court decision and does not expect to receive a decision before the election on November 8, 2022. The City Council has approved to place the measure again before the voters.
This measure does not approve any specific development. Any new development must comply with all governing laws at the time a development project application is submitted to the City.
Zoning laws in the Municipal Code will continue to apply to regulate building heights. Any proposed development within the portions of the Community Plan area subject to Coastal Commission jurisdiction under the California Coastal Act would continue to require Coastal Commission approval. This measure was proposed by members of the City Council, which voted to place it on the ballot.