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.
Source: City Attorney's Impartial Analysis of Measure C
