The San Diego City Council voted Monday to place several measures on the November 2022 ballot including allowing daycare businesses in city parks and ending free trash service to single-family homes.
While six measures are currently being considered, here is more information about the four greenlit for November.
Trash Collection
The council voted 7-2 to approve a measure repealing the 103-year-old “People’s Ordinance,” which prohibits the city from charging for trash pickup for single-family households. Supporters say the move could boost city revenue by $50 million a year to pay for more trash services.
The council would launch a cost analysis study to look into a potential cost recovery structure for trash removal services if voters approve the measure. Some councilmembers, including Marni Von Wilpert who voted against it, questioned the wisdom of the measure at a time where inflation and gas prices are on the rise.
The law has been criticized as being inequitable because residents living in apartments and condominiums have to pay for trash pickup.
Coastal Height Limit
This is a redo of an issue previously settled by voters. The council voted to advance a measure lifting the coastal height limit in the Midway District. The measure would exclude only the Midway-Pacific Highway Community Plan area from the 30-foot height limit on buildings in the Coastal Zone.
The goal is to invite investment and development into the dilapidated Midway area, now known for warehouses and strip clubs, to support affordable housing, active transportation and a healthy environment, according to Councilmember Chris Cate, who introduced the measure.
In November 2020, nearly 57% of San Diego voters supported Measure E, which would remove the 30-foot Coastal Height Limit within the Midway-Pacific Highway Community Plan area. Due to litigation over the process, a judge struck down the ballot result.
Affordable Childcare
The council approved a measure to address a local shortage of affordable child care. Currently, the city charter does not allow for childcare on dedicated park property.
The ballot measure would allow childcare businesses to operate in city parks if passed by voters. During the pandemic, over 520 childcare providers closed in San Diego County, according to Cate’s office.
Ban on Project Labor Agreements
The fourth measure passed Monday would reverse the city’s current ban on Project Labor Agreements with construction unions on municipal projects..
Supporters say this would make the city eligible for millions of dollars in state funding for infrastructure projects like streets and parks.
“San Diego counts on state funding to support everything from road repairs to the preservation of our beaches and coastlines, to major civic projects,” said Councilmember Raul Campillo. “We need to update city law to make sure we don’t lose these crucial funds.”
The election will be held Nov. 8.