From the Mayor's Desk

From the Mayor's Desk: Community Plan Updates Pave the Way for New Homes in Job Centers

cpu community plan updates

My commitment to updating outdated community plans is delivering real results—and creating opportunities to build housing in key job centers. A newly proposed housing project in Sorrento Mesa is a direct result of the Mira Mesa Community Plan Update, which designated additional land as suitable for housing near employment hubs.  

 

For decades, Sorrento Mesa has been dominated by office and industrial space, making it difficult for workers to live near their jobs and giving workers in the area some of the worst commutes in San Diego. Thanks to forward-thinking land use changes, new homes in and near prime job centers are now possible.  

 

Recent community plan updates that unlocked the potential for tens of thousands of new homes include:  

 

Mira Mesa Community Plan Update – Opened the door for 24,000 new homes, including new urban employment villages.  

 

Barrio Logan Community Plan Update – Increased housing capacity by 1,300 homes and increased resident protections in a historically underserved community.  

 

University City Plan Update – Allows for up to 29,000 new homes while reinforcing the area as a major economic hub, supporting up to 72,000 additional jobs in office, retail, research, technology, and health care. The plan also capitalizes on the $2 billion Mid-Coast Trolley extension, ensuring better connections between housing and job centers.  

 

Hillcrest Focused Plan – Paves the way for up to 17,200 new homes, prioritizing truly affordable housing while supporting small businesses and celebrating the neighborhood’s LGBTQ+ history through the designation of a cultural and  entertainment district.  

 

Other community plan updates currently in the works include:  

 

College Area Community Plan Update – Aims to modernize zoning and increase housing capacity near SDSU, creating opportunities for students, faculty, and families.  

Clairemont Community Plan Update – Focused on adding more housing near job centers and in underutilized commercial sites or empty parking lots, while maintaining the character of the community.  

 

Mid-City Community Plan Updates – Just getting underway, this effort will update plans for City Heights, Eastern Area, Kensington-Talmadge, and Normal Heights to support housing, businesses, and infrastructure improvements.  

 

By modernizing outdated zoning and planning for growth, we are making it easier to build housing where people work—reducing commutes, improving quality of life, and making San Diego a more affordable place to live. 

 

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