The city of San Diego adopted the Barrio Logan plan a few months ago, provoking a successful movement to place a referendum on a future ballot. The city’s mayoral race could hinge on the issue, with large military contractors as political donors.
Barrio Logan, located adjacent to large industrial uses and Downtown, was the subject of the city’s first community plan update following the adoption of the city’s 2008 General Plan update. Since the plan was adopted this fall, opponents have succeeded in acquiring the signatures necessary to qualify the issue for a ballot referendum.
Matt Potter explains how the political machinations of the city’s mayoral race relate to the plan: “[Republican City Councilmember Kevin] Faulconer has made his opposition to the Barrio Logan community a key part of his campaign for mayor, frequently attacking its land-use limitations near the city's shipyards as a jobs buster. [Democratic City Councilmember David] Alvarez, whose district includes the area, is the plan's champion, asserting that it would protect the health and safety of those living near the shipyards without interfering with commerce.”
Potter also reports that recent revelations show serious donor clout from businesses int he nearby industrial area which oppose the plan: “The biggest donor was National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, owned by military contracting behemoth General Dynamics, with $200,000; second largest, with $75,000, was giant British-based military contractor BAE Systems; in third place, with $50,000, was Continental Maritime of San Diego.”
Back in September, Andrew Keats provided details about the plan’s “community village” focus, transit connections, and a proposed buffer that would limit land uses between the shipyards to the south and the residential neighborhood to the north.
FULL STORY: Military contractors target Barrio Logan plan

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Bend, Oregon Zoning Reforms Prioritize Small-Scale Housing
The city altered its zoning code to allow multi-family housing and eliminated parking mandates citywide.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

LA Denies Basic Services to Unhoused Residents
The city has repeatedly failed to respond to requests for trash pickup at encampment sites, and eliminated a program that provided mobile showers and toilets.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie