Letter sent in support of Measure E!

May 12, 2020 

City Administration Building

202 C Street, 10th Floor

San Diego, CA 92101

 

RE: Proposed ballot measure to remove height limit in Midway-Pacific Highway Community Plan area

 

Dear Council President Gomez and members of the Rules Committee:

BikeSD would like to express our strong support for the proposed ballot measure that would ask voters to remove the 30-foot height limit in the Midway-Pacific Highway Community Plan area.  We highly recommend the Rules Committee move to advance the measure to the full City Council for placement on the November 2020 ballot. 

We thank Councilmembers Campbell and Cate for their leadership to bring this initiative forward and agree that there are many exciting opportunities for revitalizing the Midway District which is supported by the recently updated Midway-Pacific Highway Community Plan to reimagine Midway as a transit- and pedestrian-oriented destination.  

With proper land use, and allowing buildings to exceed 30’ heights, there can be an increase of affordable housing while providing a more sustainable development where people can walk, bike, and take transit to reduce average daily carbon footprint. By allowing density to grow upward, we allow for more open outdoor space, an extremely important element for improving the quality of life for residents in San Diego.  Three large developments that can benefit from this initiative to support better mobility, affordable housing, and a more thriving community for the area are; 1. The redevelopment of the Sports Arena site  2. The old Post Office site, and 3. The promising new Grand Central Station at the NAVWAR property.  As Councilmembers Cate and Campbell pointed out, these opportunities would be encumbered by the existing 30-foot height limit.  

We would like to make two recommendations as the ballot measure is considered to be moved forward:

  1. To create an EcoDistrict for the entire area of Midway to ensure holistic projects are sustainable and resilient into the future.
  2. To include the area of North Pacific Beach, identified in the Balboa Specific Plan, to have the height limit removed there as well.   There are similar opportunities near the Balboa Transit Station and hope these will be recognized for this area to be included in the ballot measure.  

Studies show residents of affordable housing near transit have lower carbon footprints than other residents. Almost the entirety of the Midway area and North Pacific Beach lies within a Transit Priority Area, but the 30-foot height limit substantially diminishes the opportunity for climate-friendly, infill, affordable apartments. Eliminating the height limit, then, aligns with the goals of our legally-binding Climate Action Plan, further enabling San Diego to be a city for all, regardless of background or income.

The COVID-19 health emergency and resulting economic impact also add urgency to this issue. Development, either commercial or residential, is a major economic stimulus and residential development in particular leads to the ultimate community benefit – more affordable homes and better mobility. While some redevelopment plans may be delayed due to the economic impacts of the coronavirus, eliminating the height limit in the Midway area ensures San Diego creates the conditions for future job creation and economic activity that will be essential to our recovery.

The Midway District currently is a blighted car centric area of San Diego that has the potential to grow with dignity, to grow upwards to provide adequate space for healthy amenities that support a good Quality of Life, and to ensure proper land use is created to ensure safe and efficient mobility and healthy places to live.  We are excited to support this proposed ballot measure for the elimination of the 30-foot height limit.

 

BikeSD


Candidate Questionnaire - SD County Supervisors Primary 2020

Endorsement Questionnaire:

1) What are your top 3 priorities for improving the biking experience in your Supervisor District for residents and families?

2) Transportation is the largest source of GHG emissions in the County of San Diego, and the County has failed to complete a valid Climate Action Plan including meaningful strategies to support biking and walking in the unincorporated County. How will you ensure that the County reduces transportation emissions and supports increased bike ridership rates?

3) Biking is most viable as a means of transportation to run errands or get to work when land uses are compact, not sprawling. How will you ensure that land use patterns in the County shift toward denser infill development?

4) Safe bike lanes often face opposition by residents due to slower road speeds or reduced street parking.  How would you work with the community to address concerns without compromising safety or delaying bike infrastructure in the name of consensus?

5) Please share a memorable experience(s) you have of bicycling.


Candidate Questionnaire - SD City Council Primary 2020

BikeSD Endorsement Questions

1) What are your top 3 priorities for improving the biking experience in your Council District for residents and families?

2) San Diego’s Bicycle Master Plan needs updating and projects need prioritizing in order to create a complete bicycle network. A large number of street resurfacing projects need to be restriped with bicycle infrastructure. How would you propose to fund the full build-out of the bicycle network needed to achieve the Vision Zero goals and meet the Climate Action Plan mode share targets?

3) Transportation is the largest source of San Diego’s greenhouse gas emissions (55%). The City’s Climate Action Plan bicycle mode share goals are 6% of commuter trips by 2020 and 18% by 2035, from about 1% today. What steps will you take to make sure these goals are met or exceeded?

4) Safe bike lanes often face opposition due to slower road speeds or reduced street parking. How would you work with the community to address concerns without compromising safety or delaying bike infrastructure in the name of consensus?

5) Please share a memorable experience(s) you have of bicycling.