When first announced in 2014, the Morena Corridor Specific Plan provoked protests. The plan has changed, but it now finally has initial approval from the San Diego City Council.
"The San Diego City Council tentatively approved two plans Thursday to let housing developers build more than 9,000 units near transit stations in Pacific Beach, Clairemont Mesa and Linda Vista," according to a city news service announcement published on August 1, 2019.
Prior to the vote, Andrew Keatts reported on the Morena Corridor Specific Plan, which had a long route to this benchmark moment.
"Five years, two City Council races and three planning directors later, San Diego is poised to make way for new homes near the largest transit investment it’s ever made," according Keatts. The plan also overcame a "fierce and well-organized neighborhood opposition" to reach this point.
Keatts summarizes the plan, which is intended to integrate land use density with the new Mid-Coast Trolley line coming to the city:
The city’s proposal would let developers build some 6,000 new homes near a new trolley station at Morena Boulevard and Tecolote Drive, and would rebuild the suburban, big box retail plots with a classic urban street grid. The Council will also decide whether to make way for 3,500 new homes at the planned station near Balboa Drive and Morena Boulevard, but only on the western side of I-5, in Pacific Beach. The city’s plan would also narrow Morena Bouelvard from four lanes to three while making way for new protected bike lanes and an improved pedestrian way along the commercial corridor.
FULL STORY: Council to Weigh Morena Plan That’s Become a Proxy for Growth Citywide
Zoning Change for Mixed-Use Developments, Density Near Transit Moves Forward
Until now, mixed-use projects have required a lengthy discretionary approval process in San Diego. That could change with a zoning change given preliminary approval by the City Council this week.
Transit Oriented Upzoning Can't Win Local Support in San Diego
Residents are shooting down plans that propose increased density and height in San Diego. The city had planned to cut its carbon footprint by encouraging transit oriented development.
Op-Ed: San Diego Should Look to Beaches to Increase Density
San Diego should look to its beach communities and its major intersections to achieve its housing and Climate Action Plan goals while minimizing community polarization, writes urban planning consultant Howard Blackson.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
San Diego Votes to Rein in “Towering” ADUs
City council voted to limit the number of units in accessory buildings to six — after confronting backyard developments of up to 100 units behind a single family home.
Texas Legislature’s Surprising Pro-Housing Swing
Smaller homes on smaller lots, office to apartment conversions, and 40% less say for NIMBYs, vote state lawmakers.
Even Edmonton Wants Single Staircase Buildings
Canada's second most affordable major city joins those angling to nix the requirement for two staircases in multi-family buildings.
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.
Borough of Carlisle
Smith Gee Studio
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)