OPINION: They Call It “Progress.” I Call It Betrayal

Kenny Key speaking at San Diego City Council 6/16/25

By Kenny Key

In light of the recent court ruling citing the City of San Diego for violating CEQA (the California Environmental Quality Act) through fast-tracked building practices with developers involved in the “Midway Uprising Housing Development Project,” I felt compelled to speak out.

I write on behalf of the community I love — one that feels unheard and disrespected by local leadership. As a lifelong resident and advocate of District 4, I’m deeply concerned by the absence of true leadership that prioritizes our needs. We need much more than just housing. For over fifty years, residents here have watched as investment and amenities flourished north of the 8 Freeway, while our neighborhoods were left behind.

This long neglect has weakened infrastructure, reduced public services, and eroded respect for our community’s unique character. What’s especially troubling is how city leaders keep approving new development projects without meaningful community input — reducing our concerns to “incidents” instead of recognizing them as systemic issues. That brings me to what’s driving so much frustration in District 4: the repeal of Footnote 7 and the Emerald Hills Radio Tower project with D.R. Horton. These exposed what many of us see as a betrayal by elected officials toward the very people who put them in office.

To think we would want 738 homes crammed on top of a historic landmark in the heart of the city is not only a miscalculation — it’s shameful. Each of the 123 planned homes includes a four-unit ADU allowance, and developers know this. No established parking? One way in and one way out? Approving a project that could compromise fire evacuation routes in an emergency is reckless. It reeks of backroom politics and campaign kickbacks at the ugliest level.

This 19-acre property belongs to the people of San Diego. It’s already designated as open space parkland, and the Emerald Hills Neighborhood Council has been asking for expanded park and green space for more than 35 years. Footnote 7 was a targeted attempt by city officials to facilitate illegal land grabs by developers in Emerald Hills and Encanto. When the community uncovered this, it was shocking. To frame it any other way insults the intelligence of District 4 residents. When we questioned city officials, their response was simply, “We support housing.” Our response? Million-dollar homes? Really? Why place that burden on our community without infrastructure upgrades? Why not develop where projects won’t harm existing neighborhoods? Over-condensed luxury housing is not what we need. We need affordable housing — not reckless housing.

Prior to Footnote 7 being created and unleashed on District 4, the Radio Tower property was zoned for a maximum of 70 homes. When Black and Brown families bought homes on Old Memory Lane in 1974, city officials told them no homes would ever be built on that site because of the radio towers and park designation. The zoning change that allowed this project has already been repealed, yet somehow it continues to move forward despite its obvious harms.

The community has spoken loudly and clearly: we must protect our last green spaces. Any council member who votes to allow these projects isn’t just ignoring the will of the people — they are violating their oath to serve and protect us. Approving them knowingly jeopardizes our neighborhood’s safety and quality of life. It would strip away our community’s future and place it in the pockets of greedy developers, while creating congestion and blocked emergency routes that could endanger lives.

I’ve lived in Emerald Hills–Encanto for over 50 years. This tower project sits right behind my home. When developers like D.R. Horton look at Google Maps, they see open space and dollar signs. In 2019, city officials even partnered behind closed doors to create a “footnote” for them. Then, as the pandemic hit, we were locked down and couldn’t even protest. We sought help from our District 4 representatives — to no avail.

We are begging current and future leaders to stand with us. Represent the people publicly. Show us you care.

We envision a San Diego that rights historic wrongs — even through eminent domain if necessary — to correct decades of injustice and preserve the historic significance of the Radio Tower site. Imagine transforming that land into parkland with green space and walking trails in the heart of the city. Why not embrace that vision instead of D.R. Horton’s narrow one?

We envision a High-Tower Lookout Tourist Platform that the city profits from — one that pays tribute to the radio tower’s historic legacy. Schools and tourists could take educational field trips to this community hub and open preserve. It could be a landmark that honors history, strengthens local pride, and brings revenue back into the community — a win for everyone. City officials control the permitting process; they should have known this land’s true potential. Instead, they chose to serve private interests. For that, we call foul play.

San Diego can do better. The City Council must ensure this land remains protected parkland, not sold off for profit. Planning should honor District 4’s heritage, maintain public access, and create long-term benefits for all residents. With transparency, community input, and honest leadership, we can turn this space into something that unites and uplifts — a legacy our city deserves.