Honor Our History, Character, and Community.
West Lewis and Falcon Street Mini-Park Project The proposed West Lewis Street Mini Park project, to be located on the canyon rim area from West Lewis at Goldfinch to West Lewis at Falcon, was discussed at our monthly board meeting April 15, 2009. This project was initially proposed in 2006 and was estimated to cost $280,000. As designs evolved and challenges with the site were found, the price moved to $450,000 and then $630,000, with an unpriced Phase 2 planned. At this time, $450,000 has been allocated by the City, to be paid from the Developer Impact Fund (DIF) for the Uptown Area.Following a thorough discussion and review of materials related to this proposal, our Board of Directors acknowledged that the residents of the area have spent a great deal of time working to create a public space along this prominent canyon rim that will add to our total community character. Therefore they voted 7-1 to submit a recommendation that the project proceed, but with a spending cap of the already appropriated $450,000, and with modifications to simplify the project. The project requires a Process 3 Site Development Permit, and will go before a Hearing Officer on April 29, 2009 at 8:30 a.m. in the City Council Chambers. Click here for our comment letter to this project. To read our letter to the City of San Diego regarding this project, click here. Proposed Heritage Park Plan (Heritage Park Master Plan Improvement) The Heritage Park project proposes that the County of San Diego enter into an agreement with Pacific Hospitality Group (PHG -- owner and operator of the Hacienda Hotel) to develop and operate Heritage Park for lodging and other purposes. (Heritage Park is located on Juan Street, across from the Hacienda Hotel.) Development includes site improvements and the creation of 84 guest rooms. The 84 units would come from converting six existing Victorian buildings for 21 units and building four new structures to provide 63 units. No new parking is proposed, as the plan utilizes 45 spaces existing at Heritage Park and an additional 41 spaces in the lot controlled by the Hacienda Hotel at the corner of Juan and Harney. The county document includes drawings and an analysis of many possible environmental impacts, all of which are proposed to be “No impact” or “Less than significant impact.” The entire negative declaration for the Heritage Park Project can be found at: http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/reusable_components/images/parks/doc/Heritage_Park_ND_IS.pdf The County Board of Supervisors will be considering this project on April 8, 2009. Mission Hills Heritage has sent a letter to the County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation stating our concerns and comments on the Draft Negative Declaration on the Heritage Park Master Plan Improvement. To read the letter to the County from Mission Hills Heritage, click here. We will continue to monitor this project and provide updates as events unfold. When the county sets a date for the hearing on this project, they will post a notice on the San Diego County Public Hearing Notices web page. Historic Districts What is the purpose of a Historic District?
Existing and Proposed Historic Districts
in Mission Hills 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)
Project Review at Uptown Planners
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!!!
CPCI, with assistance from contract consultants, will actually draft the plan, with input from special "stakeholder" advisory committees (one for each of the three planning areas), which will consist of members of the local community planning group and other “stakeholders” from the community. It is anticipated that the advisory committee for Uptown will be formed in March 2009. Uptown Planners will chose those members of Uptown Planners that will sit on the committee, and the City will chose the community stakeholders. The process for chosing the stakeholders has not been announced. Once formed, the advisory commmittees will meet periodically (approximately every 6-8 weeks) during the update process, and will participate in public meetings/workshops facilitated by paid consultants, which will include charettes. It is anticipated that there will be approximately 4-6 such workshops over a several day period. There will also be a "cluster advisory committee" consisting of members from all three planning areas for issues common to all three communities. 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 Todd Gloria Tony Young Carl DeMaio Donna Frye Marti Emerald Ben Hueso
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