City of San Diego Strategic Plan

A Future For All of UsVision
Opportunity in every neighborhood, excellent service for every San Diegan.

MissionEvery day we serve our communities to make San Diego not just a fine city, buta great City.

Operating Principles
Customer Service•

We value our residents, customers, and employees by designing solutions and services
that put people first.

Empowerment & Engagement•

We value a “Culture of Yes” where we empower employees to creatively solve problems
and offer solutions.

Equity & Inclusion•We value equity by taking intentional action to create equal access to opportunity
and resources.

Trust & Transparency•

We value transparency by using data to make better-informed decisions, answerquestions, and build trust with the public.

Priority Areas
Create Homes for All of Us•

Ensuring every San Diegan has access to secure, affordable housing.

Protect & Enrich Every Neighborhood•

Connecting communities to safe public spaces that offer opportunities to learn,grow, and thrive.

Advance Mobility & Infrastructure•Offering high-quality infrastructure and mobility options that are efficient, safe,and convenient.

Champion Sustainability• Creating livable, sustainable communities for all San Diegans, now and in the future.
Foster Regional Prosperity• Promoting economic growth and opportunity in every community, for every
San Diegan.
performance.sandiego.gov

City of San Diego Strategic Plan

Create Homes for All of Us

Create Homes for All of Us
Every San Diegan deserves to have a safe place they call home, which is why we aremaking the creation of diverse types of affordable and accessible housing a priority.
Outcomes• San Diegans benefit from a diversity of different housing types, with homes that areaffordable to everyone in all communities.
• The City helps San Diegans find ways to build housing cheaper, faster, and easier.
••San Diegans live in vibrant communities with healthy homes and access toopportunity.
San Diegans experiencing homelessness have access to long-term housing withsupportive services.
Outcome Area Expected Results

Strategies

Affordable
Homes

Review where more homes are
General Plan
needed across the city to meet ourhousing, mobility, andCommunity
sustainability goals.
Plans

Encourage
housing that isaffordable toeveryone in allcommunities.

Plans

Achieve 2020-30 Regional Housing
Needs Assessment Housing Unitstarget.

Blueprint SD
Homes For Allof Us

Allow development on vacant orunderutilized City-owned sites toincrease housing supply withgreater affordability requirements.
Adopt commercial parking reformin Transit Priority Areas (TPAs),
allowing alternative land uses toprovide more housing.
Supporting the building ofadditional entry level-housing.

performance.sandiego.gov

Create Homes for All of Us
Outcome Area Expected Results

Strategies

Plans

Focus on the missing ‘middle’ byencouraging the development ofnew housing that is affordable tomiddle income residents (80-150%of area median income).

Housing
Pathways

Support vibrantneighborhoods
that areUpdate City code to allow for more
affordable homes in areas close tojob centers, schools, parks, andGeneral Plan

connected to theplaces people
work, live, andplay.

opportunities.

Plans

Support programming for healthy
homes that are safe andsustainable, including building
decarbonization through retrofit
and appliance swap programs.

Blueprint SD

Improve the permitting process toenhance customer service andmake it easier, faster, and cheaper
to construct housing, withoutcompromising safety or quality oflife.

Homes For Allof Us

Create more
pathways forhousing
opportunities.

Community

Homes For All
of Us

Eliminate non-value-add
discretionary approval hurdles.
Encourage life/work flexibility thatallows for co-benefits and multiuse.
Preserving
Homes

Address resident
displacement andpreserve existing
affordablehousing.

Preserve and expand singleroom-occupancy housing stock.

Homes For All
of Us

Increase rental subsidy utilization.
Support actions that complimentand return short-term rentals into
long-term rentals.

performance.sandiego.gov

Create Homes for All of Us
Outcome Area Expected Results

Strategies

HomelessnessEnhance homelessness prevention
and diversion programs.

Reducepopulations
experiencing
homelessness.

Plans
Community
Action Plan onHomelessness

Increase placements topermanent housing destinations.
Promote wrap-around service
options alongside housing
placements.
Increase access to shelters, safe
havens, and interim housing.
Promote and achieve equity inservice access for historicallyunderserved
communities, including
minority groups, transitioned-aged
youth, and LGBTQ+ individuals.
Promote personcentered, compassionate outreachand service engagement.
Track retention rate in housing
intervention and returns tohomelessness.
Increase stock of permanent
supportive housing.
Use data to determine theeffectiveness and return-oninvestment for funding programs
and contracts.

performance.sandiego.gov

City of San Diego Strategic Planv

Protect & Enrich Every Neighborhood
San Diego is an extraordinary place to live, and every San Diegan should have access to asafe and secure environment, along with a variety of core amenities that improve qualityof life.
Outcomes• San Diegans in all communities are connected to neighborhood assets that anchor
community life, foster interaction, and promote well-being.
• Every San Diegan has access to arts and culture opportunities on their own terms.
Visitors are able to discover and experience local culture.
• San Diegans benefit from accessible, convenient, safe, and comfortable recreational
spaces in their communities.
• San Diegans have equitable access to a network of libraries, including robust digital
services and programming, that are tailored to local needs and interests.
• San Diegans benefit from public safety services that encompass the diverse needs ofresidents and communities.
Outcome Area Expected Results

Strategies

Plans

EquityEnsure amenities aregeographically distributed, serving
all of San Diego's diversecommunities.

Parks Master
Plan

Prioritize equitable
investment incommunities withthe greatest need.

Install artwork in historicallyunderserved communities andensure equal access to public art
across communities.

LibraryMaster Plan
Public Art
Master Plan

Prioritize citywide investments inpark-deficient communities.
Provide equitable access to digital
resources across all communities.

performance.sandiego.gov

Protect & Enrich Every Neighborhood
Outcome Area Expected Results

Strategies

Plans

Placemaking

Encourage long-term stewardshipthrough ‘friends’ groups,education, citizen science, andresearch/restoration projects.

Parks Master
Plan

Support amenities
as focal points
that express theunique identitiesof ourcommunities andconnect people toartistic andculturalexperiences.

Provide opportunities for culturally
specific experiences.

Library
Master Plan
Public Art
Master Plan

Commission artwork that isvisually distinctive and reflective of
the identity where the artwork isinstalled.
Promote parks as places wherepeople can foster social
connections, build community,and enhance well-being.
Ensure all communities can utilize
library spaces for programs,meetings, and events.
Expand access to cultural heritageand historic collections.
Promote and position libraries ascultural centers for exhibits andevents.
Incorporate Arts & Culture into theParks development process.

Public Spaces

Offer safe, inviting,multi-use publicspaces that
support positive
experiences for all

Create additional value for visitors
and patrons through improved
resource coordination andcollaboration.

Parks Master
Plan
Library
Master Plan

performance.sandiego.gov

Protect & Enrich Every Neighborhood
Outcome Area Expected Results
and improve
quality of life.

Strategies

Plans

Increase access to recreationalamenities.

Public Art
Master Plan

Create welcoming, convenientlibrary spaces for patrons to sit,work, read, collaborate, and usetechnology.
Provide access to high-quality
programming, events, and sharedactivities.
Address and reduce barriers ofentry for public artists andassociated public artwork.
Public Safety

Provide public
safety services
that meet theunique needs,values, andconcerns of eachcommunity.

Analyze and balance the need forthe deployment of public safety
personnel based on the nature ofcalls for service, including criminal
vs. non-criminal activity, response
times, and community need.

Mayor
Gloria’s Public
SafetyPriorities AndPolice
Reforms

Identify and implement additional
steps to eliminate racial bias inpolicing.
Achieve and promote a public
safety workforce representative of
San Diego’s diversity in race,culture, values, genders, language,and life experience.
Invest in and implement
community-based practices thatencourage communityperformance.sandiego.gov

Protect & Enrich Every Neighborhood
Outcome Area Expected Results

Strategies

Plans

engagement in managing publicsafety.
Identify additional steps toincrease accountability,transparency, and oversight of thepolice department.

performance.sandiego.gov

City of San Diego Strategic Plan
Advance Mobility & Infrastructure
Efficient, safe, and convenient transportation and infrastructure options are critical to ahealthy San Diego, which is why a key priority in the City’s Strategic Plan is to advancemobility. Improving fundamental paths of travel, like ensuring safe, high-quality roads, will
be just one part of improving mobility as a whole.
Outcomes• San Diegans in all communities, of all ages and abilities, can efficiently get from point A
to point B with mobility options that are safe, affordable, and sustainable.
• San Diegans travel on high-quality infrastructure that creates safe and comfortable
spaces for people to walk, roll, ride, or drive.
Outcome Area Expected Results

Strategies

Plans

Infrastructure

Optimize street maintenance,repairs, and associated processes.

StreetPreservation
Ordinance

Construct andmaintain highquality
multimodal
infrastructure in
all communities.

Address and reduce repair,maintenance, and installation
backlogs.

Mobility
Action Plan

Improve street preservation
ordinance compliance.

BicycleMaster Plan

Develop improved trench repair
standards.
Research and constructimprovements using innovative
materials.
Deploy emerging technology (AI,CAV, etc.).
SafetyCreate safer
conditions for allusers of the road,especially
protecting theSeparate users of different speedsand mass.

Vision Zero
Strategic Plan(includingSSARP)

performance.sandiego.gov

Advance Mobility & Infrastructure
Outcome Area Expected Results
most vulnerableusers.

Strategies

Plans

Implement measures for systemic
safety, accounting for human error
and injury tolerance.

BicycleMaster Plan

Reduce speeds on segments, andconflicts at intersections.
Fund and build roundabouts.
EquityImplement
improvements
equitably acrossthe City.

Improve geographic distribution ofroad, transit, bike, and pedestrian
infrastructure.

CapitalImprovement
ProgramFund and complete projects inhistorically underfunded
communities.

Mobility
Action Plan
ClimateEquity Index

Accessibility

Provide streetsthat areaccessible toindividuals of allages and abilities.

Performance & Create additional
Mobility
opportunities for
Options
San Diegans toImprove installation andmaintenance of sidewalks, curb
ramps, and detectable warnings.
Design, maintain, and improveroads that are usable for all
people, whether they are eight or
80 years old.

ADATransition
Plan forPublic Rightof Way
Bike MasterPlanHolistically implement ADA
standards during right-of-way
maintenance and improvement
projects, including evaluation foraccessible parking (timed parkingand blue curbs).

Mobility
Action Plan

Increase access to electric vehicle
charging stations.

San Diego
Regional Plan

performance.sandiego.gov

Advance Mobility & Infrastructure
Outcome Area Expected Results
choose frommobility options
that make theirjourney more
efficient,sustainable, orcomplete.

StrategiesPlans

Improve transit connections byinvesting in first-mile/last-milesolutions.

Mobility
Action Plan

Implement key transit-only lanes
for greater efficiency for the transitsystem.
Review and improve traffic
signalization to safely improvethroughput and efficiency acrossdifferent modes.
Plan and program for projects thatcreate complete streets andcomplete corridors.

BicycleMaster Plan
CompleteStreets
Program
ClimateAction Plan
Community
Plans

performance.sandiego.gov

City of San Diego Strategic Plan
Champion Sustainability
In San Diego, we pride ourselves on not just having an amazing environment, but actively
caring for our natural resources so they are available for generations to come.
Outcomes• San Diegans have equitable access to high-quality, healthy, preserved open spaces.
• The City of San Diego provides a built environment that best sustains our naturalenvironment and public health.
• A resilient San Diego that can adapt to, recover from, and thrive under changing
climate conditions.
• San Diegans benefit from diligent, innovative waste management.
• The City of San Diego leads by example with zero emission vehicles, net zero emission
facilities, and resilient and efficient delivery of services.
Outcome Area Expected Results

Strategies

Climate Equity

Prioritize equitable investments
Parks Masterin parks and open space in areas Planwith the greatest deficiencies.
Climate Action
Utilize Climate Equity Fund andPlan
pursue additional funding
sources to invest in projects
Climate Equity
within vulnerable communities.
Index

NaturalSpaces &Environmental
Quality

Prioritize climateequity and needsof vulnerable
communities.

Protect natural
habitats andenhancebiodiversity.

Plans

Prioritize projects and climate
actions that provide air quality
improvements and other core
benefits in vulnerable
communities.

Portside
Community
Emissions
Reduction Plan

Design a healthy, sustainable
park system that preserves
critical habitat and open spaceand protects biodiversity.

Parks MasterPlan
Multiple
Speciesperformance.sandiego.gov

Champion Sustainability
Outcome Area Expected Results

Built
Environment

Expand San
Diego’s green
infrastructure.

Strategies

Plans

Implement land management
and watershed protection
practices that restore wetlands,
urban canyons, and othernatural lands that assist in
climate mitigation and resilience
goals.

Conservation
ProgramDevelop programs and design
guidelines to promote expanded
green spaces in urban areas.

Climate Equity
Index

Increase San Diego’s urban tree
canopy, with a focus oncommunities of concern.
Built
Environment

Built
Environment

Promote effective
stormwatermanagementthat decreases
water pollution,mitigates flooding

Improve stormwater
infrastructure and keep
residences and businesses safe
through proactive maintenanceand innovative technology.

and erosion, andprotects ourecosystem.

Safeguard recreation
opportunities by:• preventing pollution;• improving water quality foroutdoor activities;• creating multi-benefit
green spaces; and• enhancing parks.

Provide safe andreliable drinking
water for San
Diegans.

Diversify San Diego’s watersupply.

Climate Action
Plan (Strategy5)
Stormwater
Department
Goals
ClimateResilient SD

Pure Water San
Diego

Invest in and implement Pure
Water Phase 1 and 2.

performance.sandiego.gov

Champion Sustainability
Outcome Area Expected Results

StrategiesPlans

Improve and maintain existingwater and wastewater
infrastructure.
Reduce dependence on
imported water.
Climate
Adaptation &Resilience

Empower
residents andcommunities toProvide easily accessible
education resources and growcommunity awareness ofClimate
Resilient SD

prepare for theeffects of climatechange.

climate change.

Climate Action
Plan (Strategy5)

Develop resilience hubs, coolzones, and other infrastructure tosafeguard residents from theimpacts of extreme heat in themost vulnerable communities.
Prioritize, protect, and uplift theCity’s most vulnerable
communities in our climate
resilience efforts.

WasteDiversion

Expand waste
diversion toreduce theamount of landfill
waste.

Divert organic waste and solidwaste.

Zero Waste Plan
SB 1383

Maximize capture of methane
before it is released into theenvironment.

Climate Action
Plan

Expand capacity andinfrastructure for recycling andcomposting.
Broaden public education andoutreach to promote waste
reduction and circular
production practices.

performance.sandiego.gov

Champion Sustainability
Outcome Area Expected Results

StrategiesPlansCityOperationsDecarbonize City facilities byphasing out all use of natural
gas in municipal buildings by2035.

Climate Action
Plan

Reach zero net
emissions by2035.

Municipal
Energy Strategy
Convert 50% of all municipal fleet &vehicles to zero emissions
Implementation
vehicles by 2030.
Plan
Increase electric vehicle
adoption in City’s fleet.

performance.sandiego.gov

City of San Diego Strategic Plan
Foster Regional Prosperity
The City of San Diego is actively taking steps to support a thriving regional economy anddevelop the talented workforce we need to sustain economic opportunity in the future.
Below, we outline how we envision fostering regional prosperity.
Outcomes• San Diego residents and businesses are supported by a strong local economy, withwell-paying jobs, economic activity, and opportunities in every community.
• San Diego businesses benefit from programs and funding opportunities that areaccessible and equitably distributed.
• San Diegans have economic opportunity from relations with Mexico as a binational
trade partner.
• The San Diego region benefits from a thriving, skilled, and educated workforce
capable of tackling the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.
• San Diegans benefit from a passionate, engaged City workforce that provides thehighest level of customer service and represents the San Diego community.
• City employees enjoy a culture of great leadership, appreciation, andacknowledgement, with opportunities for learning and development.
• The City provides a clear, unified pathway for career growth and development.
Outcome Area Expected Results

Strategies

Plans

Industry &Small Business

Increase accessto opportunities
for ownership ofand employment
in small, locallyowned
businesses, aswell as keyindustries.

Create and support programs toretain or expand, incubate, andattract business.

Council Policy
900-12

Reduce barriers todoing businesswith government.

Streamline and automate
application processes.

Maximize resources and incentives
available to low and moderateincome communities, as well as
Opportunity and Promise Zones.

EconomicDevelopment
Strategy

Economic
Development
Strategy

Expedite review and payment
processes.

performance.sandiego.gov

Foster Regional Prosperity
Outcome Area Expected Results

Strategies

Plans

Deploy new technologies tofacilitate easier interactions withgovernment.
Binational
Trade

Facilitate andenhance crossborder trade andjob opportunities.

Invest in improvements andmaintenance on international
trade facilities within the region.

Economic
Development
Strategy

Seek funding for businesses toparticipate in programs that hirefrom both sides of the border.

Office of
Global Affairs

Support efforts that continue todecrease border wait times andreduce lost economic output,
including those that address
emissions from idling vehicles atthe border.
Regional
Workforce

Encourage andsupport regional

Facilitate youth, at-risk youth,
foster youth, disabled, veteran,

Employ &Empower

Development

workforcedevelopment,
trainings, andcareeradvancement.

and ex-offender educational andemployment opportunities.

Youth
Workforce
Program

Promote a cultureof leadership,diversity,appreciation, andgrowth.

Attract, hire, and retain a diverse
workforce that is representative of
the communities it serves.

City as an
Employer

Increase opportunities for job
readiness and invest in economic
development programs.

Provide training and educational
opportunities for employees toadvance and develop in theircareers.

Employee
Satisfaction
SurveyQuarterly
Results

performance.sandiego.gov