The following was published as a Letter to the Editor in the San Diego Union-Tribune on October 22, 2025
By Paul Krueger
Re “Gloria: Building height fight is not over” (Oct. 21):
Mayor Todd Gloria says he’ll now persuade City Council members to petition the state Supreme Court and attempt to overturn a well-reasoned, strongly worded, unanimous appellate court ruling that reinstated a 30-foot height limit on new development in the Midway District.
Our mayor claims that accepting the appellate court ruling would be a “failure,” and that “failure is simply not an option.”
Many San Diegans would respectfully disagree.
We think following the appellate court’s guidance would not be a “failure.” Producing a legitimate environmental assessment of the Midway area would not be a “failure.”
Giving your constituents the information they need to make an informed decision on your effort to massively upzone that area would not be a “failure.”
Avoiding the significant cost to taxpayers from an unsuccessful appeal would not be a “failure.”
We think those responses would instead be admirable examples of what we call “good government.”
— Paul Krueger is a resident of Talmadge, a long time San Diego reporter and writes for the OB Rag on occasion.
Many San Diegans would indeed disagree, but not a majority of those who voted for the measure (twice!). Is it “good government” to side with a small group of activists over the people’s will, twice-expressed via democratic means? Were a majority of the voters who backed the measure both times ill-informed, and would additional environmental analysis adequately inform them (us)?
Those who voted for it fanatized about having an awesome new stadium that would attract a pro team which is delusional. They were tricked into believing the renderings of this amazing space was real. Our Mayor has an agenda if he believes you can “fail” instead of seeing his job as doing the right thing the right way. Ignoring the environment ain’t it.
I voted for it, and never once fantisized about a pro team. Even if I had, would that make both of my votes invalid?