The Livable Neighborhood Preservation vs. Change
Presented by Diane Kane & Geoff Hueter
Pacific Beach residents protest a proposed 239-foot residential/commercial building on October 9, 2024. (Photo: Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune)
There is a critical housing shortage in San Diego and many proposals and approaches have been advanced to increase housing production. Should we focus on numbers or neighborhoods? Where should new homes go, what type should they be? What about affordability? Can preservation of historic neighborhoods be compatible with infill development? Is additional housing constructive or destructive? NIMBY or YIMBY? Our two speakers will address these and other issues and comment on state and local laws and policies passed to solve the housing-shortage problem.
Diane Kane is a former senior planner from the City of San Diego, where she handled large-scale historical surveys as part of the long range planning process. Previously, she was the heritage resources coordinator for Caltrans in Los Angeles, where she conducted environmental review of historic properties.
Specializing in 19th- and 20th-Century architectural history and urban planning, Dr. Kane holds a master’s degree in art history from UC Berkeley and doctorate in architectural history from UC Santa Barbara. She has taught these subjects at several colleges and universities, including the NewSchool of Architecture & Design, the Design Institute, SDSU, UCLA, University of Redlands, and Cal Poly, Pomona.
As a trustee and Vice-President of Programs for the California Preservation Foundation, she is a frequent contributor to CPF conferences, workshops and webinars. For her volunteer work associated with the La Jolla Historical Society’s efforts to save the La Jolla Post Office, Kane was named Save Our Heritage Organisation’s “Preservationist of the Year” in 2014. She received SOHO’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024.
Geoff Hueter is the chair of Neighbors for a Better San Diego, a volunteer grassroots organization that promotes sensible, data-driven planning for San Diego.
As the "people's planning department," the group brings together experts in data science, geography, zoning, and affordable housing, to evaluate San Diego planning and land use initiatives, including community plan updates, land development code updates, and housing action packages. It recommends improvements to these plans and code updates which will promote infill development that is compatible with existing neighborhoods, in order to enhance the affordability, inclusivity, and quality of life in these communities.
Hueter was the chief data scientist and co-founder of Certona Corp., a leader in real-time, artificial intelligence-powered, omnichannel personalization for the world’s largest retailers. Hueter holds 12 patents and received his Ph.D. in Physics from the University of California at San Diego, where he studied gamma ray bursts.
PLEASE NOTE: You may enter NewSchool through the Park Boulevard entrance near G Street for direct access to the lecture in the Roy Drew Room. The event is free and open to the public, but a $5 donation is suggested at the door. Arrive early to enjoy refreshments before a prompt 9:30 AM program start. Please RSVP on the FSDA website if you will attend.
