As new homes rapidly emerge across San Diego County, a significant number are being constructed in close proximity to freeways, raising concerns about noise and air quality for residents.
Between 2018 and 2024, approximately one fifth of the permits for new homes in the region were issued for properties situated within 1,000 feet of a freeway.
An analysis by KPBS and Voice of San Diego highlights that the fastest growth in housing development is occurring in urban areas, including Downtown, Bankers Hill, Hillcrest, and North Park, neighborhoods known for their accessibility to jobs, amenities, and transit.
However, these urban areas are also intersected by multiple freeways, which contribute to elevated noise levels and pollution.
According to data, over 96,000 housing permits were granted in San Diego County during the specified period, with nearly 19,000 of those being for homes located near major highways.
Jolene Miller, a resident near the I-8 and I-15 interchange in Mission Valley, has experienced the constant hum of freeway noise in her home.
“The noise is always there,” Miller noted. “I think we’ve just found a way of getting used to it.”
Moreover, she highlighted the physical effects of pollution, stating, “You can wipe your little table down on the patio every day, and it’s going to come out black every day.”
Miller expressed concerns about the pollution entering her home, saying, “That pollution that’s coming through our windows is coming into our lungs.”
Research from UC Davis underscores the detrimental effects of roadway pollution on air quality in nearby residences.
Findings show that living close to a freeway can increase the risk of various health conditions, including cardiovascular, respiratory, and reproductive issues for individuals residing within 500 to 600 feet of such roadways.
In fact, over 7,000 permits were issued for homes within just 500 feet of San Diego’s highways from 2018 to 2024.
UC San Diego research has further linked air pollution from highways to increased infant mortality rates and a higher risk of dementia.
Additionally, UCLA findings suggest that the adverse effects of freeway pollution can extend as far as a mile from the source.
Chris Roberts from the environmental advocacy group San Diego 350 remarked on the gravity of the situation, stating, “It’s surprising how … if you were 500 feet from a freeway downwind, how much indoor pollution this causes,” emphasizing its connection to serious health repercussions, including respiratory diseases.
While the health risks associated with living near freeways are well-documented, discussions among city leaders regarding the potential impacts of air pollution on proposed new housing have been ongoing for years.
As early as 2007, city planners were examining the implications of such pollution on housing developments in Otay Mesa.
However, the region’s low-density zoning has resulted in limited options for constructing apartments, often relegating new housing projects to locations adjacent to freeways.
San Diego City Councilmember Stephen Whitburn, who represents urban core neighborhoods with extensive new housing developments, recognizes the need to tackle the housing crisis, even if it means building near highways.
Interstates 5, 8, and 15, along with State Routes 94 and 163, traverse District 3, where Whitburn represents many constituents.
Although Whitburn acknowledges concerns related to living by a freeway, he highlighted that he has not received complaints from residents about air pollution in these areas.
“Certainly I could appreciate the concerns about having housing adjacent to a freeway or a truck corridor,” he said. “You certainly want to have residents living in an environment in which it is healthy.”
He asserts the importance of constructing additional homes to stabilize or even bring down rent prices.
Data indicates that from 2018 to 2024, the downtown 92101 ZIP code saw more homes permitted than any other area in San Diego County, coinciding with that ZIP code having the lowest rental growth rate during this timeframe.
Analysis reveals that areas permitting more housing have experienced slower rent growth compared to those issuing fewer permits.
This scenario presents a balancing act for city leaders in District 3, as they grapple with the challenge of addressing a housing crisis while remaining cognizant of the potential health impacts on residents due to proximity to pollution.
For Miller, her decision to move closer to the freeway has had unintended consequences.
“I started taking allergy pills, something I’ve never had to do before moving so close to the freeway,” she shared. “I can’t wait to leave.”
image source from：voiceofsandiego
