Community Panel Says A Mid-City Zoning Plan Doesn’t Go Far Enough
City Heights, San Diego — The City released its draft Ideas Report for the Mid-City Communities Plan Update, outlining potential land use concepts that would rezone the neighborhoods of City Heights, Kensington, Talmadge, Normal Heights, and Eastern Area.
An official Working Group made up of community members from all the Mid-City neighborhoods met to review the draft report. The meeting sparked pointed comments over Concept 5, which proposes only up-zoning a few commercial streets, mostly in City Heights.
“Concept 5 is most likely to result in displacement,” said Nam Nguyen, a City Heights representative.
Zach Young, representing the Eastern Area, was more blunt: “Concept 5 seems insane to me.” Young said it could result in an odd scenario seen in a Canadian city—where high-rises abut single-family homes.
“Concept 5 is a terrible idea,” added Paul Smith, another Eastern Area representative.
However, the Kensington-Talmadge representative, David Moty, voiced full support: “Concept 5 is the proposal I support fully.”
Several Working Group members pushed for Concept 4, which would distribute new housing opportunities equitably across Mid-City, including higher-income areas like Kensington, Talmadge, and Normal Heights.
“Concept 4 spreads housing opportunities across Mid-City, including high-resource areas,” stated Randy Torres-Van Vleck, a City Heights representative.
During public comment, A Talmadge resident also endorsed Concept 4, citing the social benefits of raising children in affluent neighborhoods. A Kensington resident, Paul Jamason, spoke in support of Concept 4 as well—citing a recent settlement that requires the City to increase affordable housing in high-resource areas.
City Heights members of the working group also emphasized that affordable housing has been disproportionately concentrated in their community.
“Affordable housing is concentrated in City Heights. I think it needs to be spread out more,” said Nam Nguyen.
“I want to see the other communities step up,” added Victor Ponce, also representing City Heights.
That sentiment is backed by data. An analysis by BuildSD, a development-tracking news organization, found that of the 398 multifamily homes built in Mid-City between 2021 and 2024, 367 were in City Heights—over 90%.
The meeting was held in-person at the Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans (PANA) event hall, with a virtual attendance option also available. To learn more or get involved, visit planmidcity.org.
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Published August 14, 2025