Morning Report: San Diego Sees Housing Boom in Urban, Walkable Areas

San Diego’s push for more housing in walkable neighborhoods seems to be working.

From 2018 to 2024, most of San Diego’s housing growth happened in urban, walkable areas, according to an analysis of housing permit data by Voice of San Diego and KPBS.

Over those seven years, roughly 30 percent of the city’s homes were permitted in neighborhoods like downtown, Bankers Hill, Hillcrest and North Park. These communities make up less than 3 percent of San Diego’s total land area.

Other neighborhoods like Mission Valley and Kearny Mesa have also seen increases in housing, while coastal communities like Ocean Beach and Point Loma saw the least number of permitted homes from 2018 to 2024.

The shift dates back to around 2016, when San Diego leaders began rezoning neighborhoods like North Park to allow for higher density housing, KPBS’ Andrew Bowen writes for the latest story in our In Whose Backyard series. 

City officials maintain that even the densest neighborhoods still have room for more housing — and that adding housing in these areas can help fund local improvements.

Still, the trend toward smaller dense homes means some residents are struggling to find enough space or affordability without giving up walkable, community-oriented neighborhoods.

Read the full story here.

In Whose Backyard looks at where homes are being built, what kinds of homes are popping up and how that impacts the surrounding communities. Read more stories in our series here.

Council: Where Are You Getting the Money from, Mayor? 

The San Diego City Council wants to know where the mayor is going to get the money to pay for the staff he has refused to fire. 

“The public deserves to know how $1.4 million will be accounted for, since we’re essentially creating a $1.4 million hole,” Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera said on Monday. 

As we reported, Mayor Todd Gloria cast aside the City Council’s decision to cut several positions including two deputy chief operating officers from his office and two other positions. 

Bret Bartolotta, chief deputy city attorney, said the mayor has until the end of the year to find these reductions. He said the mayor may bring a budget amendment to the Council at some point throughout the year, where they will have an opportunity to weigh in on his budgetary actions.

Border Report: The Fight for Unionization in Baja California

A group of Mexican workers has been trying to organize a labor union at their company for years, but the process has been painstakingly difficult and cost one man his job.

In 2021, Jesus Iturbero organized a labor union for Mexican long-haul truckers who carry goods between Mexico and the U.S. interior. After six years spent hauling Hyundai auto parts from Baja California to Alabama, he wanted a raise and better working conditions for himself and his coworkers.

But his efforts to unionize, ultimately led to his firing, he said. Recently, Iturbero’s labor complaint about his firing over his efforts to unionize caught the attention of the U.S. government, which is now working with the Mexican government toward a resolution.

In the meantime, though, Iturbero is still unemployed and hoping for good news.  

Independent unions have long struggled to gain a foothold in Baja California, writes Voice Contributor Sandra Dibble. A 2019 labor reform in Mexico made it easier to form independent unions, but it remains an uphill battle.

Read the Border Report here. 

Farewell: This will be Dibble’s final Border Report. Subscribers will continue to get border updates about culture, life and immigration from Voice contributor Kate Morrissey. 

The Preliminary Parking Plan for Balboa Park

On Monday, San Diego city staff gave the public a first look at the proposed three-year parking plan for Balboa Park. Depending on the lot’s distance from the park, visitors could expect to pay a rate ranging from $6 to $12. 

The city also plans on installing 300 parking meters by Oct. 1 along stretches of Sixth Avenue and Park Boulevard. The meters would charge $2.50 an hour with a four-hour maximum.

Where will the money go? All the revenue generated will go back to the park, according to the proposal. This would include road repaving, lighting upgrades, landscaping and visitor amenities. 

What about residents? City staff are recommending a $6 flat day rate for residents at the nearest lots. Residents will be able to sign up for an account-based system for access to other lots. They will need to verify their address. 

In addition, Balboa Park employees and workers would have free access to some lots. 

Zoo lot still TBD: The city is still in negotiations with the San Diego Zoo about their lot where city staff are proposing a $12 flat day rate. 

The City Council approved parking meters on Monday, and will continue to refine the rest of the proposal to vote in September. The program is scheduled to roll out on Oct. 1 and a resident portal will be available in January 2026.

In Other News

•  As San Diego prepares to impose the city’s first-ever trash fee for single-family homes, 21,000 properties now declared ineligible for city service are scrambling to negotiate with private haulers – and many fear they could be left without trash service. (Union-Tribune)
• One of the long-term goals outlined in SANDAG’s draft 2025 regional plan is to put a train station on Camp Pendleton. (Union-Tribune)
• The restrooms at Pepper Park will be closed until Aug. 11 while the Port of San Diego works on improvements to the park. (Times of San Diego) 

The Morning Report was written by Tigist Layne and Mariana Martínez Barba. It was edited by Andrea Sanchez-Villafaña. 

The post Morning Report: San Diego Sees Housing Boom in Urban, Walkable Areas appeared first on Voice of San Diego.