By SDCN Staff
San Diego, CA–The San Diego City Council approved the Clairemont Community Plan Update and the College Area Community Plan Update, marking the first comprehensive overhaul of both community plans in more than 30 years.
The updates set a long-term vision that supports increased opportunities for new homes, safer and more connected mobility options, vibrant village centers and new recreational opportunities.
“Updating community plans means listening to San Diegans, weighing different perspectives, and planning for the future our city needs,” said San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria. “The Clairemont and College Area plans reflect years of community input and set a clear path to build more homes, improve safety and mobility, and invest in public spaces that help neighbors stay connected.”
The updated plans reflect priorities identified through years of extensive public engagement, including two draft plan releases, community workshops, and reviews by community planning groups, Planning Commission, and the Land Use and Housing Committee. Both plans align with Blueprint SD, the City’s 2024 General Plan update, which focuses on placing new homes and jobs near transit, parks and services to meet equity, climate and housing goals.
“These plan updates reflect years of community conversations about how to strengthen neighborhoods, improve mobility for all users, create options for more homes and enhance public spaces,” said City Planning Director Heidi Vonblum. “We’re grateful to the community members who shared their time, insights and feedback throughout this process.”
The Clairemont Community Plan Update adds additional capacity for 14,000 new homes in village areas close to trolley stations, and allows mixed-use opportunities in Clairemont Town Square and Clairemont Community Core. The plan also supports walkable neighborhoods and focuses on new homes close to transit, and improving safety and mobility through protected intersections, expanded areas for walking and biking and flex lanes that can safely adapt to meet different traffic needs. It also plans for additional recreational opportunities such as neighborhood parks, pocket parks and joint-use areas.
“The Clairemont Plan Update has been in the works for 30 years, and I am grateful to the Planning Department and the Mayor’s team for their work on this plan update, especially their commitment to working with the community to incorporate residents’ feedback,” said City Councilmember Jennifer Campbell. “The updated Clairemont Community Plan balances our city’s need for more housing while taking into consideration the unique history of Clairemont, which is the city’s oldest and largest suburb.”
In the college area, the plan update supports a mix of options for new homes near San Diego State University and along key corridors, including College Avenue, Montezuma Road and El Cajon Boulevard and adds capacity for up to 17,750 homes. It also plans for new public spaces, including a linear park along Montezuma Road, and streets designed with wide sidewalks, shade trees and landscaping that promote pedestrian activity and support local businesses.
“This plan is about creating a future for working families and students. With the College Area Community Plan Update, we are saying loud and clear that the status quo—where housing is unaffordable, sidewalks are unsafe, and opportunities feel out of reach—is not acceptable,” said City Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera. “
The City has 52 community plan areas with community plans that support the City’s General Plan and its City of Villages vision: creating vibrant, walkable and transit-friendly communities where people can live closer to jobs, services and amenities.
With the approvals, the City has now completed 19 community plan updates since 2008, when the General Plan was updated with the City of Villages strategy. The Mid-City Communities Plan Update is currently underway, with updates to the Rancho Bernardo Community Plan and the Otay Mesa-Nestor Community Plan anticipated to begin next.
