In 1970, citizens concerned about coastal development and the impact it would have on public access and coastal resources, initiated Prop 20 which later became the Coastal Commission Act (CCA).   The Act required the creation of LCPs (Local Coastal Programs) to manage development within the Act’s boundaries (see map 1).  Soon after, Proposition D was enacted which restricts development to 30 foot heights within the Act’s boundaries.  At approximately the same time, Clairemont residents, outside of the CCA’s protection (areas east of Interstate 5) initiated a CPA (Community Plan Amendment) to restrict the maximum building height limit to 30 feet.  The current  extends across the communities of Bay Park, Bay Ho, Overlook Heights and Clairemont Mesa, and it is the only protection we have from the rush to urbanize and over-densify our already built-out environment by the County’s “Smart growth” initiative.  The 30Ft limit protects us from the problems of unchecked population growth and unsustainable loads to our failing infrastructure. 

**The City Planners have identified the “Transit Priority Areas” for both Clairemont (including Bay Park, Bay Ho, and Overlook Heights) and Linda Vista.  Please note that more than 80% of both areas have been designated as  TPAs and therefore are areas that the 30 Ft Height Limit is being attacked via SANDAG’s Regional Comprehensive Plan. 

Put simply, the answer to  “WHY?” City Planners want to bust our height limits and create new areas of increased density stem from the State’s mandate to decrease our carbon footprint.  While the overall idea may be good, or even necessary, it’s the implementation of “Smart Growth” and “City of Villages ” around Transit Hubs and Transit Priority Areas that is flawed in our coastal areas that are already built-out environments.

Cities and Counties throughout the State of California are resisting the pressure to develop coastal communities into high-rises of dense urban catastrophes.

Federal funds appropriated for the building of the Morena Corridor project have fueled a rush by SANDAG, the County and  City of San Diego to densify our neighborhoods with re-zoning, or up-zoning, that is inconsistent with our existing Community Plans.

SANDAG funded the Morena Blvd Station Area Planning Study,  and the City of San Diego is funding the final draft of the MSP (Morena Specific Plan), and the current CPU (Community Plan Update) in order to change our Community Plan to fit their objectives and goals.

Understanding the concepts behind the push to densify our neighborhoods, bust our height limits, and change our Community Plans will help the reader understand the issues and debate about protecting our 30Ft Height Limit in Clairemont, and the 45 Ft Height Limit in Linda Vista.