Fifty years ago, San Diego voters approved a ballot measure to preserve access to our beautiful coastal resources. They did this by putting in place a height limit to protect our natural environment and prevent our beaches and coast from becoming overbuilt with high rises.
Despite claims to the contrary, San Diegans knew that bigger buildings would not make housing more affordable or our coastline and beaches more accessible; it would simply make buildings bigger and make the builders more money. San Diegans also knew that protecting and preserving the natural resources along our coast would be an ongoing job.
Time has proven the voters of 50 years ago to be correct. Today, as we celebrate our coast and the ballot measure that voters approved so many years ago, we must do so with the knowledge that our work is never over.
As Peter Douglas, the executive director of the California Coastal Commission for 26 years, used to say, “The coast is never saved. It’s always being saved.”
— Donna Frye, Former City Councilmember and Mayoral Candidate
Office of the City Attorney “Impartial Analysis” of Measure C, Submitted to the City Clerk on 8/12/22
The City Council has directed the City Attorney to prepare a ballot title, summary, and impartial analysis of a measure that would amend the San Diego Municipal Code (People’s Ordinance No. O-10960) related to Coastal Zone height limits in the Midway-Pacific Highway Community Plan area, which the City Council voted to place on the November 2022 ballot. (See Resolution R-314247, adopted July 25, 2022.)
The measure seeks approval to amend the San Diego Municipal Code (People’s Ordinance No. O-10960) by amending Article 2, Division 5, Section 132.0505.
The City Council adopted ordinance O-21508 on July 25, 2022, to submit the measure to the voters on the November 8, 2022, Municipal Special Election ballot.
BALLOT TITLE
Amending the San Diego Municipal Code to Exclude the Midway-Pacific Highway Community Plan Area from the 30-Foot Height Limit on Buildings in the Coastal Zone.
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.
This measure does not approve any specific development. ...