Measure C would remove the 30-foot building height limit in the Midway District, the area around and consisting of the Viejas Sports Arena.

It’s undeniable that development in the Midway district would be beneficial by replacing strip clubs and old buildings with housing and a new Sports Area. However, my concerns aren’t about the Midway District redevelopment, Midway Rising, but the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR) site. This strip runs parallel to Interstate 5 and is technically part of the Midway District. This land is currently owned by the Navy and includes old WWII hangars, which currently serve as converted offices for cybersecurity workers.

Currently, the Navy is looking to sell the land to developers who would be required to abide by the 30-foot constraint. The developers need this height limit removed in order to warrant building here. Without the ability to build up, developers feel the NAVWAR site is not worth their money.

Common arguments against Measure C tend to focus on the shrinking views of the ocean for the redevelopment of the Midway District, Midway Rising. However, not enough attention is paid to the potential obstruction predicted in redevelopment plans of the NAVWAR site, which doesn’t even compare with much shorter buildings in Midway Rising.

According to the NAVWAR “revilization” website, the preferred plan for the development, which has been labeled Alternative 4, would include at least 22 high rise buildings shooting up to a maximum height of 350 feet.

A video on the site provides computer generated models of buildings that completely block views of the water and Point Loma from surrounding homes. Massive skyscrapers would destroy the views of Mission Hills residents.

Blockage of light and ocean view would no longer just exist in downtown San Diego. Under Measure C, these disruptions would crawl farther into other parts of the city. The development could set the precedent for future projects to also build high rise buildings in places less desirable to the rest of San Diegans, meaning a future of more blocked coastline.

Ten thousand residential units are included in the plans, of which 10% must be affordable housing, as required by city law. Although 1,000 affordable units is somewhat significant in helping San Diego’s housing crisis, when compared to the destruction of coastal views I feel it is too little to support. Low-incoming housing is always hyper focused on in these massive developments that, without that attractive aspect, garner much less support. We need to watch out for promises of low-income housing in the NAVWAR project which has not yet released finalized plans, meaning there could be last-minute changes to reduce the amount of space designated to low-income housing.

Increased traffic is yet another issue that would result if Measure C is passed. More businesses and homes would lead to more traffic. Commute times could increase, not just for the people in the city of San Diego that get to vote on this measure, but also for a majority of the county. The already-packed Interstate 5 and Interstate 8 freeways would become even more crammed. San Diego was built for cars, so any advertisement of public transportations in these new developments has not included that fact. The freeways are the main way people move around and voting for Measure C would create more traffic and delays.

A major consideration San Diegans must have is weighing the benefits of the charm of the coastal beauty of our city and increased congestion in the city. San Diego’s beautiful views are one of its major draws. It’s risky to replace what makes San Diego, San Diego just for a development that really has few significant benefits. Vote no on Measure C.