Developers Vow to Press On After Height Ruling in San Diego

UPDATE: The developers behind the Midway Rising project are moving forward despite a recent court ruling that upheld a 30-foot height limit for the area surrounding Pechanga Arena. This ruling, which rejected the city’s efforts to increase building heights for a proposed 4,000-unit residential complex, is not seen as a setback by the project team.

The court’s decision, announced just last week, confirmed that the city failed to comply with the California Environmental Quality Act by not properly informing the public about the environmental implications of lifting the height restrictions. However, both the developers and San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria assert that this legal challenge will not derail their plans.

Mayor Gloria expressed his determination, stating, “Failure is simply not an option, and we will get this done.” He announced that the city plans to appeal the ruling to the California Supreme Court and has identified various strategies to keep the redevelopment on track.

According to Jeff Meyer, a spokesperson for Midway Rising, the project’s compliance with state laws that allow for height exceptions in developments containing low-income housing will enable them to continue. “While unfortunate for San Diego, this ruling has little bearing on Midway Rising,” he noted. “This project is one of the largest affordable housing initiatives in state history.”

The city previously sought voter approval in 2020 and again in 2022 to rescind the coastal height limit for the Midway-Pacific Highway Community Plan area. This initiative was crucial for the developers, who indicated in their bid that the success of the height limit initiative was a major factor in their project’s viability.

Despite losing in court, the developers are confident. The state’s density bonus law allows them to exceed local height restrictions if they provide low-income housing. The project aims to reserve half of its units for low-income residents, a critical aspect given the ongoing housing crisis.

However, the legal victory for the residents’ group Save Our Access, which challenged the city’s measures, raises questions about the future of the project. Their president, John McNab, stated, “If the city wants to proceed with the project, it’ll need to conduct a new environmental impact report and offer a new ballot measure.” He emphasized that the city cannot exceed the 30-foot limit as ruled.

As the situation develops, all eyes are on the upcoming appeal and potential changes in strategy from the city. Residents and stakeholders alike are watching closely, as the outcome could significantly impact the future of urban development in San Diego.

Stay tuned for more updates as the situation unfolds, and share your thoughts on the future of the Midway Rising project. What do you think about the ongoing battle over height limits in urban developments?