Amid Controversy, More Density Urged Along San Diego Trolley Extension

In 2021, San Diego will open a northern trolley extension connecting its downtown and Golden Triangle. However, much of the route in between is barren and inaccessible. AIA-SD urges density and more effort to win over opponents.

2 minute read

June 26, 2017, 8:00 AM PDT

By wadams92101


In 2021, San Diego's light rail "trolley" system will open a northern leg, called the "Mid Coast Corridor." It will connect La Jolla, the Golden Triangle, UCSD, the V.A. Hospital, the city's Bio-Med industry, and neighborhoods in between, to downtown, the border, and the rest of the trolley system. Needless to say, its a critical corridor in the city's transit infrastructure. Finally, the coastal city and surrounding communities will have a light rail transit system with a hub downtown that goes in the core directions of north, south, and east.

Unfortunately, a large portion of the extension uses existing heavy rail right-of-way, runs adjacent and parallel to I-5, and borders urbanized areas on only one side—at the bottom of a steep hill that runs much of the length of the extension. Such is the reality of building light rail late in urban development. Moreover, the urbanized areas abutting the extension are low density and car oriented. Much of the middle portion of the extension is not very accessible, particularly to pedestrians and bicyclists. 

These conditions were to be partially remedied by "The Morena Corridor Specific Plan," which was to facilitate transit oriented development. In 2014, a neighborhood backlash against lifting a 30-foot height limit to allow six-story transit oriented development near a station along the line scuttled the Specific Plan. In an open letter, AIA San Diego revisits the necessity of facilitating transit oriented development along the extension:  

All communities must share responsibility for meeting housing and transportation infrastructure needs for the greater good of the region.  Adding housing, creating transportation nodes, fostering retail & commercial services and committing to expanded public amenities enhances neighborhoods, making them better places to live, work, study, play and raise families. Increased density at Tecolote and other stations along the Corridor and throughout the region will create livable communities for the workforce that makes the city function – teachers, police, nurses, mechanics, chefs and servers, designers and many others. This approach fosters prosperity, prepares us for the exciting future promised by emerging transportation and energy technologies, and builds resilience against the environmental challenges that we will experience soon.

AIA-SD urges reconsideration and adoption of the Specific Plan: 

We support our public officials, the Morena Corridor Specific Plan, and local developers that advocate for thoughtful, effective growth, and economic development of our neighborhoods.

For the the full letter from AIA, see the source article. 

Friday, June 23, 2017 in UrbDeZine

Sweeping view of Portland, Oregon with Mt. Hood in background against sunset sky.

Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary

Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.

March 12, 2024 - Housing Wire

Aerial view of green roofs with plants in Sydney, Australia.

Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024

A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.

March 10, 2024 - Daily Journal of Commerce

Cobblestone street with streetcar line, row of vintage streetlights on left, and colorful restaurant and shop awnings on right on River Street in Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts

From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.

March 12, 2024 - Strong Towns

Aerial View of Chuckanut Drive and the Blanchard Bridge in the Skagit Valley.

Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding

The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.

March 18 - The Seattle Times

Historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles with large "Pan American Lofts" sign on side of building.

Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly

The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.

March 18 - Beverly Press

View from above of swan-shaped paddleboats with lights on around artesian fountain in Echo Park Lake with downtown Los Angeles skylien in background at twilight.

LA's Top Parks, Ranked

TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.

March 18 - TimeOut

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

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.