Measure E, proposal to remove 30-foot height limit in sports arena area, leading in early election returns
Measure E, a proposal on the Nov. 3 ballot to remove the 30-foot building height limit in the area around San Diego’s sports arena in the Midway District, held a sizable lead in early returns as of the morning of Nov. 4.
The measure led 57.2 percent to 42.8 percent with more than 483,000 votes tallied, according to the San Diego County registrar of voters office.
The initiative’s supporters view it as a key to revamping the area around the sports arena, citing traffic congestion, run-down strip malls and the aging arena. Termed-out Mayor Kevin Faulconer recently selected a developer to build high-rise housing and potentially replace the arena with a new version.
Mayor says the goal is a completely new arena to anchor a planned entertainment district.
Mayoral candidate Todd Gloria, who leads the vote count in the mayor’s race, supports Measure E. His opponent, Barbara Bry, opposes it.
Some opponents fear lifting the 30-foot coastal height limit in the landlocked Midway District could be the first step in removing the height limit in coastal communities.
Measure E supporters say the height limit, adopted in 1972, has been good for beach communities but doesn’t make sense for the Midway area.