If you look up in a dictionary, or nowadays Google, the term ‘unintended consequences’ the mandatory 65’ Interim Height Ordinance in Uptown will be the definition given. In the spirit of ‘do not built it and they won’t come’ this ill conceived planning policy has met it’s objective. Brought about by a few ‘concerned’ citizens, who apparently want Hillcrest to look like the Shire in lord of the rings, 65’ was a compromised height limit compared to the 200’ allowable height because shade is now somehow bad and of course ‘quality of life’ issues were threatened. If the mandatory Interim Height Ordinance remains through the Uptown Community Planning Update, watching the stucco crumble from existing building will turn into a spectator sport. One only has to drive down Fifth Avenue in Hillcrest to see an abundance of ‘For Lease Signs’ to understand that an imposed height limit will not contribute to a vital or renewed Hillcrest business core.

Project Information

Project Address: 

Uptown Hillcrest Business Core

Project Owner/ Developer: 

City of San Diego

Owner Contact Name/ Email: 

City Council

Project Architect/ Designer: 

Uptown Planners