Steve Francis spent millions claiming special interest run city hall, but you would not have known it on Tuesday afternoon as Councilman Kevin Faulconer joined Donna Frye, Tony Atkins and most of the San Diego City Council in imposing a building height limit for the Uptown area.

Despite pleas from the San Diego Chamber of Commerce, Realtors, property owners and the building industry that the 'Interim Height Ordinance' was overly restrictive at a time when the housing market is in the tank, Faulconer worked with Atkins to impose the building restrictions.

The Height Ordinance caps building heights at 50 or 65 feet in portions of the Uptown area, a nearly 2/3rds reduction. The Chamber and others argued for a compromise solution proposed by the Planning Commission that would have increased public input for projects above the proposed height limits but there were no takers.

Property owners and building industry representatives argued that the ordinance was counter to the just approved General Plan that advocates smart growth and the City of Villages concept. It may also result in a substancial downzone of the affected areas.

The ordinance is slated to remain in effect while the city updates the Uptown Community Plan but members of the local planning group and other proponents left little doubt that the building heights will never be restored.

Expect litigation on this one.