SAN DIEGO — The City of San Diego's planning commission passed two proposals on Thursday that could double the population of Hillcrest and University City by allowing more high-rise housing.
They discussed the University City proposal first. During public comment, speakers both for and against the plan voiced their opinions.
"Apparently there's someone in the mayor's office and his advisors who envision really a new city within University City and it just doesn't make sense. The 30,000 more homes, the 70,000 more jobs. The state of California is not forecasting that kind of growth neither is SANDAG," said Thomas Mullaney.
"Employees cant find somewhere to live, creating a major issue for the ongoing economic vitality of the area," said Evan Strawn on behalf of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. "The UC plan update can take an important step in remedying this problem."
The commission passed the University City proposal 4-0, with two members absent.
Discussion of the Hillcrest proposal started Thursday afternoon.
Karen Ebner read a statement she said was written by the late Bill Walton.
"Plan Hillcrest is not based on fact, but fiction," she read. "Our population is in decline and we have already built enough housing to accommodate residents through 2050. Just say 'No' to Plan Hillcrest."
"The idea that Hillcrest is some sort of sleepy suburb, I think most San Diegans know that that's just not true. I think if we can find more ways to get more people to come to the neighborhood and live in the neighborhood and a diversity of housing types below market to market, and I think this plan offers all of that," said Benjamin Nicholls, Executive Director of the Hillcrest Business Association.
The commission also passed the Hillcrest proposal with a unanimous vote.
Commissioners also discussed and unanimously passed Blueprint San Diego, which is the city's overall plan to add more housing.
The planning commission's recommendations do not mean these plans are a done deal. The San Diego City Council still needs to take a vote.
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