JMissionHills
Geranium - You are correct, "community group that exists expressly to advise the planning department and city council on the community's thoughts on development issues." Key word here "advise." I have been at many these meetings for over 17 years, and if you think that Uptown Planners has been a cross cultural group of all property owners, renters, small business owners in the Uptown neighborhoods, you are the one who is naive. JMissionHills is correct when he says the leaders of this group are Barry Hager, Tom Mullany, along with their pals Janet O'dea and her beloved. Their delays and suits cost a project I was involved in Mission Hills over $350,000 in attorneys fees to take it to the full council on an appeal. And even then they lied about the truth. Don't get me wrong, we raised 4 beautiful children in Mission Hills, when it was a diverse beautiful neighborhood. By the time the NIMBY'S moved in neighbors there was fighting and a "civil war" of sorts broke out in our quiet neighborhood. It became so ugly we moved our 4 kids out of the neighborhood. And I will write it again, if you think that Todd Gloria is only a politician...they why did he win over 80% of the "elite of the city?" Sorry, there are not 80% that qualify as "elite." But there are 80% who think Todd Gloria is one of the most honest and qualified individuals to come along and is a real leader rather than pandering to a few whose would rather define crumbling parking lots and restaurants as "character" instead of the blight they are, than compromise like adults and bring about a change we can all be excited about. My eldest son use to say, "Let them put up gates and they can close the gates at night and roll up the streets..."
The future development in Mission Hills is in the Washington Street commercial corridor much of which is already blight and full of auto shops, Jack in the Box, old bank buildings and liquor stores.
In my opinion, as a long term resident and homeowner this comes across as MHH just does not want anymore people living near their surrounding neighborhoods. Yes NIMBY is a generalization but I will freely associate with Mission Hills Heritage. Or you can "build a wall" sound familiar?
Where is it being said that a high rise is going to be built ion Trias, Arista, or Sunset???? Good luck GenX, and Millennial's at least you have the numbers and youth on your side one day Uptown will be a thriving hub for you. You will just have a tough time until Oligarghy MHH and Uptown Planners are forgotten.
Sorry I have absolutely no respect for Mission Hills Heritage. They continue to hold our urban experience hostage to a small loud constituency, who think they care about the world, but really they only care about the value of their homes. Even the original membership of MHH were people who were new to Mission Hills and pushed for it to be a historic district, against many of the neighbors. Those of us who have lived here for over 30 years understand we need to change it up. (Pun intended) If San Diego is to become a city of the future, with a decrease in carbon footprints to save the planet and affordable housing, we must embrace density, especially along transit opportunities. Assemblyman Todd Gloria is not shameful, he is a leader and good for him, he disregarded a few loud voices for entire neighborhoods in Banker's Hill, Hillcrest and Mission Hills. No one is hiding under a cover of climate change or affordable housing. These are realities today and we must grow up and change. Visit Portland, Denver, Seattle, Baltimore, and other progressive cities that understand we have to embrace density, diversity and affordable housing to move forward. Please SOHO and Mission Hills Heritage don't continue to advocate for San Diego to not grow up. You can stay here and have toddler tantrums, but many of us want these changes, and they have absolutely nothing to do with a developer. Personally I do not know who the developer is but I appreciate their vision and hope this law suit won't kill the clean up of Pericano's and the entrance at 6th Avenue and University. It is ugly. Let's gather together and be a community and not let this small group of naysayers and NIMBY'S get away with this!!