Measure E That Could Reshape Development In Midway District Shows Signs Of Passing

Tuesday, November 3, 2020

Above: A liquor store and massage parlor are seen here in the Midway District, Oct. 16, 2020.

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UPDATE: 9:08 p.m. p.m., Nov.3, 2020:

San Diego voters show early support for passing Measure E, which could dramatically reshape future development in the blighted Midway District by allowing buildings taller than 30 feet.

Read original story below:

Measure E on the city of San Diego's ballot could dramatically reshape future development in the blighted Midway District by allowing buildings taller than 30 feet.

The measure would exempt Midway from the 1972 citizens initiative that imposed the height limit on all neighborhoods west of Interstate 5, excluding downtown. New buildings in the neighborhood would still be restricted to height limits set by the community plan ranging from 30 to 100 feet.

Supporters of Measure E, including the neighborhood planning group, say the height limit has been standing in the way of Midway's revitalization and that allowing taller buildings would give property owners an incentive to invest in redeveloping their land.

They also argue that Midway is not a coastal neighborhood and should never have been put in the same category as La Jolla or Point Loma where residents in the 1970s wanted to protect coastal views.

Opponents have argued exempting Midway from the coastal height limit would make it easier to change the height limit in other neighborhoods, and that the city should instead seek to build a large park on Midway's public land.

Most of the public land in Midway is owned by the federal government, which already has plans to build a new cybersecurity headquarters for the Navy in the Midway District.

The "yes" campaign earned an overwhelming advantage in endorsements, including those from the county's Democratic and Republican parties, business and environmental groups, labor unions and elected officials.

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Andrew Bowen
Metro Reporter

opening quote marks closing quote marks I cover local government — a broad beat that includes housing, homelessness and infrastructure. I'm especially interested in the intersections of land use, transportation and climate change.