Urbanists hope approving a proposal to allow a 23-acre parcel zoned for 500,000 square feet of office space be developed with 1.4 million square feet of mixed-uses could stimulate suburban retrofits across San Diego.
In order for One Paseo's 1.4 million square feet of mixed-uses to be built in Carmel Valley, 20 miles north of downtown San Diego, an amendment to the area’s community plan would have to be approved against the objections of residents who argue that it threatens the area's "core character". But is that character something that should be preserved?
"Urban planner Howard Blackson said there are two ways to think about One Paseo, and what it means for Carmel Valley," writes Andrew Keatts.
“'Either One Paseo is the last piece of the 20th century conventional suburban development pattern or it is the first step in rebuilding toward a 21st century mixed-use, walkable, infill redevelopment pattern,' said Blackson, who has done limited consulting work on the project."
"In the former scenario, it’s a capstone of a young community that’s almost finished being built out. In the latter, it’s the first step to beginning a second, more urban wave of development."
Read the full story: With One Paseo, Suburban Retrofitting Comes to San Diego
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In February, the city council approved One Paseo, a 1.4 million-square-foot mix of offices, residences, retail, and entertainment. The project's detractors have forced a referendum, putting a kink in San Diego's urbanist planning ambitions.
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