San Diego City Council to Consider Historic Preservation Reforms

Mayor Todd Gloria's proposed changes aim to balance housing production and architectural preservation

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The San Diego City Council will consider a package of Mayor Todd Gloria's proposed historical preservation reforms on Tuesday. The reforms aim to speed up the lengthy historic review process, which development advocates argue slows housing construction. However, preservationists have warned against weakening the advisory board on historical resources and giving the city council more power to overturn historic designations, arguing it would replace a fact-based determination with a political process.

Why it matters

This debate highlights the ongoing tension in San Diego between the need for more housing and the desire to preserve the city's architectural heritage. The outcome of these reforms could have significant impacts on the pace of development and the protection of historic buildings in the city.

The details

The proposed reforms include adopting more flexible qualifications for members of the Historical Resources Board, giving the city council power to overturn historic designations, and creating an opportunity for property owners to appeal the board's decision not to award a historic designation. Preservationists have fiercely opposed these changes, arguing they would limit citizen participation in the democratic process and privilege property owners over the general public.

  • The San Diego City Council will consider the reform package on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.
  • The package has been reviewed by elected and advisory boards since last fall, with mixed results.

The players

Todd Gloria

The mayor of San Diego who is proposing the historic preservation reforms.

Mission Hills Heritage

An advocacy group that has organized against the entire reform package, arguing that historic neighborhoods already offer naturally affordable housing.

Michael Provence

A University of California San Diego history professor and member of the Historical Resources Board, who has expressed concerns about the reforms.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Seizing power from citizen review boards in favor of elected leaders serves to limit the power of citizens to participate in the democratic process.”

— Michael Provence, University of California San Diego history professor and member of Historical Resources Board (Times of San Diego)

“Historic neighborhoods with smaller, older homes already offer naturally affordable housing, compared to areas building lots of new, market-rate projects, and that they provide new housing through accessory dwelling units on single-family lots.”

— Mission Hills Heritage (Times of San Diego)

What’s next

The full San Diego City Council will review Mayor Gloria's proposal on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.

The takeaway

This debate highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing the need for more housing with the preservation of a city's architectural heritage. The outcome of these reforms could have significant impacts on the pace of development and the protection of historic buildings in San Diego.