Wednesday evening the City of San Diego Planning and Community Investment Director Bill Anderson (right) led a discussion to inform neighbors from Uptown, North Park and Golden Hill about the beginning of the Community Plan updates for their respective neighborhoods. (Hillcrest is part of the Uptown 
Community Plan.) Tonight’s meeting at the Balboa Park Club kicked-off with a welcome from Mayor Jerry Sanders followed by councilmembers Faulconer, Gloria and Hueso welcoming their respective communities and introducing their staff. The plan update will extend over a two-year period beginning with the selection of a committee to represent each community. The mayor explained that the city will save money by updating the three community plans concurrently and that it makes sense because issues often cross community boundaries for these older neighborhoods circling Balboa Park.
The existing plans are over 20 years old and in many cases no longer reflect the needs of the community. New plans need to be governed by the General Plan and guided by 10 principles of the plan. The city staff will manage the project, draft the plans and liaison with the planning groups and the public. Community planning groups will gather public input and advise city staff and decision makers. Consultants will provide technical support as an extension of staff. The anticipated framework is a subcommittee of each community planning group focused on plan updates; a separate group focused on larger issues; and ad hoc volunteer opportunities. The multi-year project is budgeted to cost $1.7 million.
Hillcrest has an opportunity and a challenge to make certain that community aspects which we cherish most are preserved, including historical homes, buildings and other resources. Help ensure that community charm and character is not obliterated by new projects, and assure that new development harmonizes with our existing community. If you are interested in participating in the process, please attend the Uptown Planners meetings on the first Tuesdays of each month at 6pm in the Joyce Beers Community Center. Their next meeting will be this coming Tuesday.
