A Brief History of Planning in San Diego

"Formal city planning began in San Diego a century ago and has been fraught with controversy ever since."

"1979 – Mayor Pete Wilson wins City Council approval for a new general plan to guide future development at a time when San Diego's undeveloped northern tier was still years away from being ready for new housing tracts. The idea then was to funnel growth into older, urban communities and charge developers to pay for facilities in newer, developing communities. Years of conflict ensued, including several referendums in the 1980s and '90s, pitting development interests against slow-growth advocates."

"2002 – The 'City of Villages' approach to growth and redevelopment is adopted as the strategic framework for a new general plan; building density guidelines are modified in response to neighborhood objections and slower population growth projections."