Honor Our History, Character, and Community.
The Mission Hills Historic District (75 homes along the 1800 block of Sunset Blvd, Sheridan Ave. and Lyndon Road) and the Fort Stockton Trolley Line Historic District (107 homes along parts of Fort Stockton Drive, West Lewis and Pine Street) were recently approved unanimously by the city's Historic Resources Board in July 2007. What is the purpose of a Historic District? 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: Historic Districts "How they work for the community" Secretory of the Interior Standards: City of San Diego HRB Historic Districts: SOHO Website: Historic Districts and Mission Hills Historic District Guidelines (not yet adopted)
Sites to Watch (if you know of any plans for these sites, please contact us)
Proposed Changes to Mills Act Programs Thanks to all of you who attended these workshops and testified as to how important these programs are. It would appear that the evidence and testimony presented by the public has made a difference in the Mayor's position. The Office of the Independent Budget Analyst has recently issued a report which summarizes the Mayor's responses to the recommendations and findings of the Grand Jury (as required by law). Although the responses indicate that the Mayor is still engaged in a comprehensive review of the Mills Act program (and possible annual limits on new contracts are not off the table), the Mayor has at least taken a strong position on the historic designation program and has backed off from some of his earlier positions on the Mills Act program. Please see the link to this report: We are informed that the Mayor will be issuing a proposal for specific changes to the Mills Act program, including a new fee structure and other requirements, which will be the subject of public hearings/workshops, this summer. We will let you know the date(s) and time(s) as soon as we hear.
North Mission Hills Historic Lighting Surveys were sent to 574 homes in the North Mission Hills area in early March 2006. Approximately 40% of the households responded to the survey related to adding revival lighting in place of the new cobra lighting planed for the area in conjunction with the under-grounding plan. Click here for results. Over 70% respondents are in favor of revival lighting using the “acorn style” light fixtures similar to those used in the Presidio area. The application to form a MAD was submitted in August 2006. Mission Hills Heritage is working with the city to put plans into place that reflect the survey results. Coordinating the under grounding project with the planning department and Maintenance Assessment district so that the changes to lighting will be cost effective and more attractive takes a lot of effort. We’d like to thank those who have taken a lead in this project, distributed and completed surveys to assist the process for the neighborhood, and have supported the process. Additional information meetings will be made available in the coming weeks to go over the process and lighting plans.
The current Uptown Community Plan, which provides guidelines for development in our community, was adopted in 1988, and a related zoning zoning ordinance was passed a year later. The zoning contains provisions for heights up to 150 feet tall (about 14-15 stories) and 200 feet tall (almost 20 stories!) along portions of Washington Street, University Avenue and 4th, 5th and 6th Avenue. The community plan is now 18 years old. Conditions have changed since adoption of the Uptown Community Plan. In recent years numerous projects have come forward for taller buildings, which many residents and business owners feel overwhelm the character and scale of the existing community. An update is needed to the community plan so the entire community can re-evaluate these guidelines for future development in Uptown. The existing plan is overdue for an update. Pending completion of the update to the community plan and related zoning, the proposed IHO would temporarily limit height on new projects until our community plan and related zoning is updated. Because this recommendation by Uptown Planners is advisory only, the City Council needs to be made aware of public support for this proposed ordinance! Uptown Planners conducted an online survey last year with the result that over 80% of those taking the survey supported the proposed ordinance. In addition, over 1200 Uptown residents and business owners have signed a petition supporting the IHO. The proposed ordinance is endorsed by various groups, including:
Mission Hills Heritage is helping spearhead the effort to convince the City to adopt the IHO. Until recently, the City had not responded. However, in June 2007, the director of the Planning Department indicated the City’s willingness to support some key provisions of the IHO. Work is now in progress on such an ordinance, although there are various hurdles to be overcome. Please help show your support for this proposed interim ordinance by signing a petition in support of the ordinance.Click here for a copy of the petition. Please return your signed petition to Mission Hills Heritage personnel or mail back to us at our contact address listed below. A local developer recently circulated an email about the survey which states: “The real question is, do we want short squat buildings (no taller than 2-4 stories along Washington) …” Since the character of Mission Hills for almost a century has been defined by buildings mostly 1-3 stories, we think the resounding answer is: Yes, 50 feet is more than tall enough!!!
The following is an overview of the process: According to CPCI, the procedural structure for the updates is still a work in progress. The CPCI Department, with assistance from contract consultants, will actually draft the plan, with input of a special committee or group. The concept for the committee is being referred to as “Planning Group Plus” which will involve creating a “stakeholder group” consisting of the member of the local community planning group and other “stakeholders” from the community. It is anticipated that the stakeholder group for Uptown will be formed in January-February 2008. Once formed, the stakeholder group will meet periodically (approximately every 6-8 weeks) during the update process, and will convene public meetings/workshops which will include charettes. It is anticipated that there will be approximately 4-6 such workshops over a several day period. While the workshops will be run by the stakeholder group, the input will be gathered by CPIC staff and consultants. Prior to holding the charettes, interviews will also be conducted with certain community members. The scope of issues that will be the subject of the charettes will vary depending on the community. Issues for Uptown will include: urban design, facilities planning, community character, building heights, public transportation and density issues. Our community has an opportunity and a challenge to make certain that those aspects of our community that we cherish most are preserved, including our historical homes, buildings and other resources, that our community charm and character is not obliterated by new projects, and to assure that new development harmonizes with the existing community. Mission Hills Heritage intends to participate in the community plan update process and to keep our members and the community at large involved in the process.
Members are eligible to nominate their family and friends for recording an oral history. Interview subjects will have a chance to polish their memories during an interview including scanning old photographs and resulting in a transcript. Often these histories relate to the neighborhood development or happenings, to friends, families, the broader context of times gone by. Oral histories often create a record of the everyday events that shaped San Diego history, Conducting oral histories of residents is an enjoyable way for members, residents or former residents to pass along these stories and traditions to future generations. The oral histories will be posted here and original records will be donated to the San Diego Historical Society. Special thanks for Celeste Dunn of Tristany Realty for her generous donation and for sponsoring this program in its inaugural year through April 2007. Click here for a nomination form. The first MHH Oral History is available! Click here to read this fascinating interview with our neighbor, World War II Veteran, and distinguished local architect Homer Delawie.
Voice Your Concerns:
Kevin Faulconer Toni Atkins Tony Young Brian Maienschein Donna Frye Jim Madaffer Ben Hueso
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