(This story was originally published in Voice of San Diego HERE.

The city's plan for growth broadly envisions a network of compact urban neighborhoods where people live close to their jobs, public transit and retail.

So why does the latest blueprint for Uptown, a central urban neighborhood that seems to fit the city's mold for growth, call for a big drop in residential density?

SAN DIEGO – After months of planning, fundraising and hard work, a rainbow flag will finally fly permanently over Hillcrest.

Friday at 6:30 pm, the Hillcrest Pride Flag will be raised for the first time during a special ceremony that will kick off “America’s Pride” weekend in San Diego. Community members who attend San Diego Pride’s annual Spirit of Stonewall Rally, which will be held on Harvey Milk and Normal streets in Hillcrest, will be able to witness the flag’s first official raising at the end of the program.

SAN DIEGO -- The fate of the proposed Hillcrest Pride Flag project will be decided upon by the San Diego City Council at its 2:30 pm meeting on Tuesday, May 15.

Community members are being encouraged by project organizers to express their support of the proposal to the council via email, by attending the meeting, or both.

SAN DIEGO -- The board of the Uptown Planners will consider a number of community issues, including two affecting Hillcrest, at its next meeting on Tuesday, April 3.

Included with the four "Potential Action Items" listed on the agenda, the planning group will discuss a Neighborhood Use Permit application submitted by Filter Cofffeehouse at 1295 University Ave. The popular cafe currently has an outdoor seating area, but has applied to renovate its 200-square foot sidewalk cafe.