“A historical district means a significant concentration, linkage, or continuity of sites, buildings, structures, or objects that are united historically, geographically, or aesthetically by plan or physical development and that have a special character, historical interest, culture or aesthetic value, or that represent one or more architectural periods or styles in the history and development of the City.” (San Diego Municipal Code, Section 113.0103)

What is the Purpose of an Historic District?

The primary objective of historic districts is to maintain the scale and basic character of such districts by:

• Protecting and preserving the basic architectural features of the homes in the neighborhood.
• Discouraging demolition and alteration beyond recognition of the exteriors of qualified (known as “contributing”) homes in the neighborhood.
• Helping to uncover the important historic past of the neighborhood.
• Encouraging redevelopment of incompatibly developed properties in accordance with the character of the area.
• Making Mills Act property tax relief available for qualified homes in the neighborhood.
• Boosting property values of all homes through the prestige that comes with being situated in a historic district
• Facilitating pride of ownership and understanding of the deep historic roots of our neighborhood. Due to lack of financial resources, the City of San Diego has indicated that it will not be initiating new historic districts for the foreseeable future, but will process nominations brought forward by the community. To facilitate any such efforts in Mission Hills, Mission Hills Heritage has prepared a pamphlet with an overview of the historic district application process. Click here for a copy of the pamphlet. Click here for a copy of the pamphlet.

Existing Historic Districts in Mission Hills

Historic homes on Ft Stockton

Mission Hills Historic District

This district, consisting of 75 homes along the 1800 block of Sunset Blvd, Sheridan Ave. and Lyndon Road, was approved by the Historic Resources Board in July 2007. The district was appealed, but the City Council upheld the district in January 2008.

Fort Stockton Line Historic District

This district, consisting of 107 homes along parts of Fort Stockton Drive, West Lewis and Pine Street, was approved by the Historic Resources Board in July 2007. It was not appealed and became effective 10 days later.

Mission Hills Historic District Extension (Annex)

In March 2008, residents on the blocks between Sunset, Witherby and Fort Stockton formed a committee to explore forming another historic district that had been proposed several years ago. This proposed district would include 99 homes on portions of Sunset, St. James, Arden Way, Arguello, Hickory, Ingleside, and Whiterby. Because the proposed district falls entirely within the first Mission Hills Subdivision, Map No. 1115, the City has determined that this district would become an extension of the Mission Hills Historic District. Here is a map of the two approved historic districts and the proposed Extension:

Future Mission Hills Historic District

The City’s Historical Resources Board has mapped out a larger potential Mission Hills Historic District, based on the entire area of the original Mission Hills subdivision, map number 1115. This potential district may eventually encompass all of the original Mission Hills subdivision maps recorded in 1908 by George Marston and his partners. Click here for a map of this larger potential district, which also shows the current boundaries of the Mission Hills Historic District and Fort Stockton Line Historic District. Other potential historic districts could be approved in Mission Hills, based on various subdivision maps recorded in the early 1900s, covering much of what is currently known as Mission Hills, such as Inspiration Heights, and Presidio Hills.

Inspiration Heights

This potential district is based on the Inspiration Heights subdivision map filed by Harry L. Miller in 1909, which is based on the earlier Johnston Heights subdivision map filed by his mother, Sarah Johnston (Cox) Miller, in 1886. The district is roughly bounded by Sunset Boulevard on the north, St. James Place on the east, Witherby Street on the west, and includes Orizaba Street, Miller Street and portions of Arden Way, Bandini Street and Couts. An interest group of neighbors is currently exploring the potential for this historic district.

More Information

To learn more about Historic Districts, the Mills Act, the National Secretory of the Interior Standards and the City of San Diego's HRB Historic District website, please click on the following links and websites.

Mills Act information

www.sohosandiego.org/reflections/2002july/millsact.htm

Historic Districts "How they work for the community"

www.sohosandiego.org/reflections/2003-2/histdistricts.htm

Secretory of the Interior Standards

www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/standguide/

City of San Diego HRB Historic Districts

www.sandiego.gov/planning/programs/historical/districts.shtml

SOHO Website: Historic Districts and Mission Hills Historic District Guidelines (not yet adopted)

http://sohosandiego.org/histdistricts/index.htm