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On July 30, 2024, the San Diego City Council adopted the Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment. The Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment amended the Uptown Community Plan, which serves as the 30-year vision for land use, mobility, urban design, public facilities, recreation, historic and cultural resources, and economic development in the Uptown Community Planning Area. During the amendment process, City Planning Department staff worked with the Uptown community and the public to address the following objectives:
- Create public spaces that connect people to neighborhood businesses and services.
- Strengthen connections to make it easier to get to surrounding communities and places, including Balboa Park, Downtown, and North Park.
- Address housing needs by identifying areas near transit and services, and increasing housing options.
- Support local businesses with a thriving neighborhood businesses.
- Celebrate the legacy of the LGBTQ+ community by preserving historical resources and creating new places that honor and promote inclusivity.
Strategic Plan Priority Areas of Focus
This initiative focuses on the following priority areas of the Strategic Plan:
Create Homes for All of Us
Focuses opportunities for housing within mixed-use and residential areas.
Protect & Enrich Every Neighborhood
Identifies opportunities for public spaces and pocket parks, trails and joint-use facilities.
Provides guidance for the future identification and preservation of historical resources and districts that embody architectural and cultural history.
Advance Mobility & Infrastructure
Identifies opportunities for mobility infrastructure that improves walking, rolling, biking and transit connections.
Champion Sustainability
Promotes opportunities for urban greening and street trees to address stormwater runoff and climate change.
Protects canyons, open space and sensitive habitat.
Foster Regional Prosperity
Promotes employment uses as economic drivers connected to regional transit.
The Planning Process / Schedule
Project Completion: 2024
Plan update outreach:
- Plan Hillcrest included a wide variety of opportunities for public input. In addition to regular meetings with the Uptown Planners and their Plan Hillcrest Subcommittee, webinars, pop-up outreach events, key stakeholder interviews, online surveys, and meetings with other community groups allowed for a variety of public input opportunities throughout the planning process. The community engagement effort helped inform the land use, mobility, and public space concepts that were incorporated in the Focused Plan Amendment to the Uptown Community Plan.
The process and timeline for Plan Hillcrest had 5 phases. The first phase was the Plan Hillcrest launch in 2020 which involved live webinars, an online survey, planning group and subcommittee meetings, and a Planning Commission workshop. The second phase was concept development and occurred between 2021 and 2023 which involved planning group and subcommittee meetings, online engagement, and a Planning Commission workshop. The third phase was the discussion draft amendment which involved planning group and subcommittee meetings, online engagement, a Planning Commission workshop, and feedback on the discussion draft. The fourth phase was the CEQA environmental review which involved the environmental review period and the draft amendment review period. The last and fifth phase was the amendment approval phase with public hearings which involved planning group meetings, and Historical Resources Board, Planning Commission, Council Committee, and City Council hearings.
Supporting Documents & Materials
Adopted Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment to the Uptown Community Plan & Associated Documents
On July 30, 2024, the San Diego City Council approved the Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment and associated documents. A second hearing occurred on September 10, 2024, to finalize the approval of ordinances (i.e., CPIOZ, Rezone, etc.) that will help implement the Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment. The ordinances went into effect on December 1, 2024.
The July 2024 Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment incorporates revisions based on the feedback received from the community on the March 2024 Draft.
- Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment On-Screen Version
- Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment Print-Ready Version
- Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment with Edits Tracked
The July 2024 Final Community Plan Summary of Changes Report summarizes the changes made to the Uptown Community Plan.
The Engagement Summary Report summarizes major themes that emerged from the public comment feedback received on the October 2023 Discussion Draft and the March 2024 Draft Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment.
The Mobility Technical Report provides a mobility analysis of the proposed mobility improvements identified in the Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment.
The Final Environmental Impact Report analyzes the environmental impacts that could occur if the plan is implemented and identifies any feasible mitigation measures or alternatives to reduce any environmental impacts.
The Draft Rezoning Diagram illustrates the areas that will be rezoned to implement the land use map of the draft Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment.
The Proposed Zoning implements the land use designations identified in the land use map of the draft Hilcrest Focused Plan Amendment.
The Draft Community Plan Implementation Overlay Zone (CPIOZ) Diagram illustrates the areas that were included in the CPIOZ as proposed by the Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment.
The City Planning Department accepted Draft Community Plan Public Comments on the draft Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment, which were reviewed and incorporated into the final plan.
March 2024 Second Draft Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment
The March 2024 Draft Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment incorporates revisions based on the feedback received from the community on the Community Discussion Draft.
The March 2024 Draft Summary of Changes Report summarizes the changes made to the Uptown Community Plan.
The March 2024 Draft Zoning Map implements the land use designations identified in the land use map of the draft Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment.
October 2023 Community Discussion Draft (First Draft)
The Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment Community Discussion Draft was released in the Oct. 2023.
The Community Discussion Draft Summary of Changes summarizes the feedback received on the Community Discussion Draft of the Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment.
The Rezoning Map from October 2023 was the first draft rezoning map from October 2023.
Additional Plan Hillcrest Materials
The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) provides information and answers to common questions.
The Choose Your Future Hillcrest Report summarizes the findings from the online engagement platform conducted between March 10 through April 11, 2022.
The Community Survey Report summarizes the analysis and findings from the community engagement survey conducted between April 28 through May 18, 2020.
The Existing Conditions Community Atlas provides baseline information on existing demographic, land use, urban design and mobility conditions within the planning area to help inform the planning effort.
The City Planning Department created a Plan Hillcrest Brochure that describes the Plan Hillcrest Process.
Past Meeting Information & Materials
2024
City Council, July 30, 2024, 2 p.m.
Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment
On July 30, 2024, the City Council adopted the Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment. The amendment and associated rezones went into effective on December 1, 2024.
City Council, July 23, 2024, 2 p.m.
Blueprint SD Initiative (General Plan Amendments); Environmental Impact Report for Blueprint SD, University Community Plan Update and Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment
City Council adopted the Blueprint SD Initiative and certified the Programmatic Environmental Impact Report (EIR), which analyzed the potential environmental impacts of the Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment. Learn more about EIRs and Community Plans.
Land Use and Housing Committee, June 13, 2024, 1 p.m.
On June 13, 2024, the Land Use and Housing Committee reviewed and recommended the Draft Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment to City Council.
Planning Commission, May 30, 2024, 9 a.m.
On May 30, 2024, the Planning Commission reviewed and recommended the Draft Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment to City Council.
Vibrant Uptown Meeting In Person, April 10, 2024, 6 p.m.
The April 10, 2024, Vibrant Uptown Meeting was held in person. The meeting focused on providing the organization with an overview of the Draft Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment.
Uptown Planners Meeting In Person, April 2, 2024, 6 p.m.
The April 2, 2024, Uptown Planners Meeting was held in person. The meeting focused on providing the Uptown Planners with an overview of the Draft Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment.
Uptown Planners Plan Hillcrest Subcommittee Meeting, March 25, 2024, 6 p.m.
The March 25, 2024, Uptown Planners Subcommittee Meeting was held via Zoom teleconference. The meeting focused on providing the Uptown Planners with an overview of the Draft Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment.
2023
Plan Hillcrest Planning Commission Workshop, November 30, 2023, 9 a.m.
On November 30, 2023, the City of San Diego Planning Department presented an overview of the discussion draft of the Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment to the Planning Commission to receive input on the planning effort.
Uptown Planners Plan Hillcrest Subcommittee Meeting, November 9, 2023, 6 p.m.
The November 9, 2023, Uptown Planners Subcommittee Meeting was held via Zoom teleconference. The meeting focused on providing the Uptown Planners with an overview of the Discussion Draft of the Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment.
Plan Hillcrest Online Q & A Session, November 8, 2023, 6 p.m.
The November 8, 2023 Online Q&A Session was held via Zoom Teleconference. The meeting focused on an overview of the Discussion Draft of the Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment and provided the public with the opportunity to ask city staff questions on the draft.
Uptown Planners Plan Hillcrest Subcommittee Meeting, October 2, 2023, 6 p.m.
The October 2, 2023, Uptown Planners Subcommittee Meeting was held in person. The meeting topic was the LGBTQ+ Cultural District.
2022
Plan Hillcrest Planning Commission Workshop, October 13, 2022, 9 a.m.
Plan Hillcrest Meeting In Person, September 29, 2022, 6 p.m.
The September 29, 2022, Community Meeting for the Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment was held in person at the Joyce Beers Community Center, 3900 Vermont Street (East of Trader Joe's). The meeting topic was land use and urban design.
Uptown Planners Plan Hillcrest Subcommittee Meeting via Zoom Teleconference, June 30, 2022, 6 p.m.
The June 30, 2022 Uptown Planners Subcommittee Meeting for the Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment was held via Zoom Teleconference. The meeting topic was focused on Mobility Network Concepts.
Uptown Planners Plan Hillcrest Subcommittee Meeting via Zoom Teleconference, May 19, 2022, 6:30 p.m.
The May 19, 2022 Uptown Planners Subcommittee Meeting for the Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment will be held via Zoom Teleconference. The meeting topic will be focused on the results and feedback received through the online engagement platform, Choose Your Future Hillcrest, that was live between March 10 and April 11, 2022.
Uptown Planners Plan Hillcrest Subcommittee Meeting via Zoom Teleconference, April 21, 2022, 6:30 p.m.
The April 21, 2022 Uptown Planners Subcommittee Meeting for the Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment was held via Zoom Teleconference. The meeting focused on the Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment Historic Preservation Strategy and included a presentation and discussion on Historic Districts, District findings, Historic Design Requirements, and the LGBTQ+ Interpretive Plan.
Uptown Planners Plan Hillcrest Subcommittee Meeting via Zoom Teleconference, February 17, 2022, 6:30 p.m.
The February 17, 2022 Uptown Planners Subcommittee Meeting for the Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment was held via Zoom Teleconference. The meeting focused on the topic of Land Use and Building Form for the Focused Plan Amendment Area and included a presentation and discussion on Building Typologies and Land Use Alternatives for the Hillcrest West Neighborhood. The meeting also included a discussion on the Community Plan Implementation Overlay Zone.
Uptown Planners Plan Hillcrest Subcommittee Meeting via Zoom Teleconference, January 20, 2022, 6:30 p.m.
The January 20, 2022 Uptown Planners Subcommittee Meeting for the Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment was held via Zoom Teleconference. The meeting focused on the topic of Land Use and Building Form for the Focused Plan Amendment Area and included a presentation and discussion on Building Typologies, Land Use Alternatives, and Mobility Options for the Medical Complex Neighborhood. The meeting also included a preview of the Draft Online Community Engagement Platform.
2021
Uptown Planners Plan Hillcrest Subcommittee Meeting via Zoom Teleconference, October 14, 2021, 6:30 p.m.
On October 14, 2021 Uptown Planners Subcommittee Meeting for the Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment was held via Zoom Teleconference. This meeting focused on the topic of Land Use and Building Form for the Focused Plan Amendment Area and included a presentation and discussion on Building Typologies and Land Use Alternatives.
Uptown Planners Plan Hillcrest Subcommittee Meeting In-Person, Monday, September 27, 2021, 6:00 p.m.
Meeting location: Joyce Beers Community Center (Located in The HUB), 3900 Vermont Street.
This is a subcommittee lead meeting and there will not be a presentation by Planning Department Staff.
Uptown Planners Plan Hillcrest Subcommittee Meeting via Zoom Teleconference, July 15, 2021, 6:30 p.m.
The July 15, 2021 Uptown Planners Subcommittee Meeting for the Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment was held via Zoom Teleconference. The meeting included a presentation and discussion on the Hillcrest LGBTQ+ Historic Context Statement. The Context Statement is a component of the Hillcrest FPA historic preservation strategy, which includes: the Hillcrest LGBTQ+ Historic Context Statement, a Multiple Property Listing of LGBTQ+ resources in Hillcrest, the Hillcrest Potential Historic District Intensive Survey Evaluation, and the Hillcrest LGBTQ+ History and Culture Interpretive Plan. The primary focus of this presentation was the draft Hillcrest LGBTQ+ Historic Context Statement, which has been released for public review and feedback.
Uptown Planners Plan Hillcrest Subcommittee Meeting via Zoom Teleconference, June 17, 2021, 6:30 p.m.
The June 17, 2021 Uptown Planners Subcommittee Meeting for the Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment was held via Zoom Teleconference. The meeting included a presentation and discussion on Mobility Network Scenarios including: the Mobility Planning Process, Network Development, and Draft Mobility Network Scenarios within the Focused Plan Amendment Area. The presentation built upon the feedback received at the January Subcommittee Meeting on the Mobility Planning Approach.
- View the Presentation
- View the Chat Log
- View Responses to the Chat Log from January 21, 2021 - City Mobility staff has taken pertinent comments from the January 21, 2021 chat, which asked direct questions or clarifications, or facilitated helpful dialogue and provided responses. The comments and responses, in part, have been used to develop the network options that will be presented on Thursday, June 17, 2021.
Uptown Planners Plan Hillcrest Subcommittee Meeting via Zoom Teleconference, April 15, 2021, 6:30 p.m.
The April 15, 2021 Uptown Planners Subcommittee Meeting for the Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment was held via Zoom Teleconference. The meeting included a presentation and discussion on Urban Design requirements within the Focused Plan Amendment Area that built upon the feedback received at the previous meetings covering building form and public spaces.
Uptown Planners Plan Hillcrest Subcommittee Meeting via Zoom Teleconference, March 18, 2021, 6:30 p.m.
The March 18, 2021 Uptown Planners Subcommittee Meeting for the Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment will be held via Zoom Teleconference. The meeting will include a presentation and discussion on Public Realm and Public Space opportunities within the Focused Plan Amendment Area that builds upon the feedback received at the December 17, 2020 meeting.
Uptown Planners Plan Hillcrest Subcommittee Meeting via Zoom Teleconference, February 18, 2021
The February 18, 2021 Uptown Planners Subcommittee Meeting for the Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment will be held via Zoom Teleconference. The meeting included a presentation and discussion on land use and building design within the Focused Plan Amendment Area.
Uptown Planners Plan Hillcrest Subcommittee Meeting via Zoom Teleconference, January 21, 2021
The January 21, 2021 Uptown Planners Subcommittee Meeting for the Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment will be held via Zoom Teleconference. The meeting will include a presentation and discussion on the Focused Plan Amendment Mobility Planning Approach including: Roadway Concept Visioning, Operational Treatments, and Alleyway Activation.
2020
Uptown Planners Plan Hillcrest Subcommittee Meeting via Zoom Teleconference, December 17, 2020
The December 17, 2020 Uptown Planners Subcommittee Meeting for the Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment was held via Zoom Teleconference. The meeting included a presentation and discussion on Public Realm and Public Spaces opportunities.
Uptown Planners Meeting via Zoom Teleconference, November 10, 2020
City staff provided the Uptown Planners with a status update on the Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment and schedule. This information item begins at 17:10 at the following recording link:
Uptown Planners Plan Hillcrest Subcommittee Meeting via Zoom Teleconference, October 29, 2020
The first Uptown Planners Subcommittee Meeting for the Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment was held via zoom on October 29th. At the meeting, the Subcommittee members discussed their goals for the plan effort and opportunities for Subareas that were presented by City staff. Subcommittee members also provided feedback on potential public space and mobility considerations within the subareas.
Planning Commission Workshop via Virtual Hearing, July 16, 2020
The City of San Diego Planning Department presented an overview of Plan Hillcrest to the Planning Commission to receive early input on the plan effort.
Uptown Planners, July 2020
The Planning Department presented at the July 7th Uptown Planners meeting to provide an overview of existing land use and mobility conditions within the Focused Plan Amendment Area.
- View the Presentation
- Listen to the Presentation Recording - The Planning Department's presentation begins at 43:45 and ends at 2:15:15.
Uptown Planners, June 2020
The Planning Department presented at the June 2nd Uptown Planners meeting to provide an overview of the plan effort and share feedback received from the live webinar and online survey
Live Webinar, April 2020
The City of San Diego Planning Department hosted the first live webinar (online) for the Hillcrest Focused Plan Amendment on April 28.
Building on the Uptown Community Plan policy framework, the process will address housing and development strategies intended to strengthen the business district and bring neighborhood benefits where needed most. The webinar included a presentation outlining the Focused Plan Amendment objectives, process, and timeline. A presentation on the existing urban form of Hillcrest provided a basis for discussion and facilitated community input on considerations for land use, mobility, and public space concepts.
Historic Preservation
Historic Preservation & Cultural Heritage Strategy
As part of this comprehensive planning effort, the City of San Diego is documenting LGBTQ+ history and current cultural heritage in Hillcrest and the buildings, structures, and sites important to that history. Building upon the 2016 Uptown Community Plan Update and the 2016 Citywide LGBTQ+ Historic Context Statement the City Planning Department is partnering with the community to develop a multi-faceted historic preservation strategy for Hillcrest that will include the following:
- A historic context statement specific to LGBTQ+ history and resources in Hillcrest that will guide the evaluation and historic designation of buildings, structures and sites important to Hillcrest’s LGBTQ+ community.
- A Multiple Property Listing that will facilitate designation of individual properties within Hillcrest that have a significant association to the community’s LGBTQ+ history and heritage.
- An evaluation of the Hillcrest potential historic district to determine if the potential district (or a modified boundary) is eligible for designation for its association with Hillcrest’s LGBTQ+ history.
- If the proposed Hillcrest Historic District is determined eligible and designated, the City will work with the LGBTQ+ community to develop design guidelines for the designated historic district in order to successfully balance preservation of Hillcrest’s LGBTQ+ history with the continued economic vitality of the community.
- An interpretive plan developed in partnership with the LGBTQ+ community that will honor and celebrate the people, events, buildings and sites (both existing and lost) important to Hillcrest’s LGBTQ+ community. The interpretive plan will provide an exciting opportunity for cultural resource history to interface with urban design, park planning, and transportation planning to create an urban environment that informs and celebrates through way-finding signage, public art, and the like.
This effort marks the first such comprehensive Historic Preservation Planning effort to recognize and protect LGBTQ+ resources in San Diego and may well be the first such effort in the entire state of California.
Community Planning
Planning Department
9485 Aero Drive, M.S. 413
San Diego, CA 92123
619-235-5200
planning@sandiego.gov