> Save Hillcrest Resolution re: the Uptown Partnership

Under his new proposal, the mayor would like to give more control over parking meter utilization (rates and hours) to the local community parking districts. Save Hillcrest believes that the Uptown Partnership has not been functionally responsive to input from the Hillcrest community nor does Save Hillcrest believe that the Downtown study, a major impetus of the mayor's proposal, is applicable to our neighborhood. Therefore, the current city proposal should not include the Uptown Partnership.

An Update from our Chair...

I want to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to our board their participation, energy and commitment to getting Save Hillcrest up and running during the last quarter of 2008. Save Hillcrest exists because we have wonderful stewards from the business and residential communities. I’m certain that our organization will grow given the increase focus on new events that will challenge our historic neighborhood. Tis the season for celebration, Save Hillcrest has a few milestones to recognize before the yearend.

Vista Verde and Vista Azul (15 and 17 story Towers at Third & University)

Based on a phone call earlier this week, I received confirmation from Sandra Stowers, Sr. Clerk Development Services, that both projects have been withdrawn (or cancelled per city records). I am waiting written confirmation before we put projects #160318 and #160324 to rest. Most of you are aware that a proposed six-story hotel has replaced these projects and received conceptual approval by the Uptown Community Planners on December 2, 2008.

Corporation Filing Status

Given that “Friends of San Diego” has had their corporation suspended, Save Hillcrest needed to determine how to move forward as a representative of the community. We agreed to file Articles of Incorporation and to submit our application to the Internal Revenue Service and Franchise Tax Board for Nonprofit status. I would like to thank Cecelia Moreno for getting the necessary paperwork and submitting documents to the state. We received our California Corporation ID number in November. I would also like to thank Luis Moreno and Nancy Moors for helping me get the state and federal nonprofit paperwork completed and reviewed. We submitted the nonprofit applications for both state and federal on December 26, 2008. I will certainly keep you updated on future developments.

This Website

The greatest chance we have to reach out to the community and keep our members informed is this website. Ann Garwood worked with web designer Travis Holliday to develop it, and I am very happy to have both of them as creative talents constantly working to improve ways to engage our members.

Help Save Hillcrest

I encourage more of you to become involved in helping to save our great neighborhood. Please contact us for more information, and I look forward to working with you in 2009.

John Taylor
Chairman of the Board, Save Hillcrest

 

New plans for 301 University

La Jolla Pacific Development has plans for a new boutique hotel project at 301 University (between Third & Fourth along University Avenue). Uptown Planners approved the hotel concept 13-0 at their December meeting with the understanding that the final project must be at the proposed height or lower. Save Hillcrest’s Position Statement was read, and La Jolla Pacific Development was in general agreement with all of the elements of our Site Development Permit Conditions with the exception of item #3 (No net loss of public parking space.) The developer indicated that the City might mandate that some curbs must be red and the parking spaces would be out of their control. Leo Wilson, Uptown Planners Chair, suggested that City officials be invited to the Uptown Planners if that should happen.

Our mission…

Save Hillcrest provides educational opportunities regarding land-use issues in our award-winning neighborhood and provides related activities of an informational nature as allowed by law. Our objective is to insure that the community is completely informed about changes in their neighborhood.