We are University Heights

Bought my home last summer (2013) three blocks east of Texas and received my deed stating University Heights. My zip code is 92116, the same zip code as when I was renting next to Trolley Park. I am perfectly okay with that and want to keep it that way. It did seem odd when I notice the UH signs west of Texas. I am also looking to learn more about this issue.

We live in the R@NP Lane Homes near 30th St & Meade Ave. I just checked our deed and tax bill. This development community was built around 2006. Both deed & tax bill say RENAISSANCE AT NORTH PARK subdivision with no mention of University Heights. But our address is fully within the UH map.

All of us are part of North Park because we all belong to the Greater North Park Community Plan. When I say all of us I mean: South Park, Burlingame, North Park and University Heights. We are separate communities under a Community Plan that over sees each of our neighborhoods. The borders of University Heights,established in 1888, should not be changed because an elitist group west of Texas St thinks all the residents on the east side of Texas St are riff raff. The group that wants residents east of Texas St kicked out of UH believe we have too many un kept yards, too many low income resident, too many minorities, too many renters and too many public housing units. We should not let anyone or any group kick us out of our neighborhood especially for the above mentioned reasons. It is our neighborhood since 1888. Ross Lopez

I agree with Aaron

I own a condominium on Kansas near Meade--have since 1997. Yes, my deed says University Heights. It is the only thing that has ever made me feel a part of that neighborhood. When people ask me where I live, I generally answer "I don't know. North Park is south of me, Normal Heights is north of me, and my deed says University Heights, but it's *certainly* not University Heights, because that starts west of Texas." I feel much closer to North Park than anyplace else, and I pay into the North Park Municipal Assessment District, so in a very real sense I am a part of North Park. I will not be signing this petition.

One more question: Is there a deadline on this? Thanks.

Ross, So what exactly does this mean? Our properties would be reassessed to a higher amount and our taxes would go up along with our property values? What else have you (and who ever else is heading this) done to let the land owners know? Have you gone door to door or asked for volunteers to take over their own blocks and get the word out? I let five folks know last night but they would like more info. Has there been any discussions with THEM or attendance at one of THEIR community meetings or have you thought about getting the news media involved like Turko. He seems to like these sorts of things. Just wondering what I can do to help, but there is not enough info on this website on the history of the problem, what has or is being done besides the signs, whether you need volunteers to get the word out and if you are holding any meetings of your own or have contact people to answer questions. And also, what exactly do we stand to gain or not if THEIR request is granted. It's slightly confusing but I'm sure people would like to hear more. I know I would like to. Thanks.

All the properties within the red areas on the Maps shown on the petition website are University Heights. These maps are from the County Assessor. None of properties within these boundaries are North Park - we all live in the Greater North Park Community Plan. The zip code has nothing to do with the designation of our neighborhood. Anyone can visit the County Tax Assessor and see the maps. The boundaries were set by the Assessor. We are currently being denied correct appraisals of our property because comparable on identical properties west of Texas St are not used costing us $50,000 to $100,000 in value. This petition is not about being moved into University Heights its about preventing as small group from kicking us out because they believe our side of University Heights has too many renters, minorities, and low income individuals thus diminishing their property values.

Then these signs shouldn't be up on our block....

You will still be North Park. That won't change.

I've always known that my deed is registered as University Heights and some of my neighbors (renters) had no idea that this is the case. Something about the zip code. Could someone let me know who is available to speak by phone/email and give me more info as to why this is happening? I've owned my house here now for 16 years and always wondered about this situation. I do a newsletter for University City (of all things!), but they divide themselves into east/west UC, I believe. Thanks!

It appears that someone from the west side of Texas St went through our neighborhood cutting down all of the "WE ARE UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS" petition signs. The signs were up at sunset but gone early this morning. Please ask your friends to sign so we can prove to the City we care about our neighborhood. I want to thank everyone that has signed

I don't want my property value to go down and I don't want our neighborhood to be shunned for no good reason. We deserve to be a part of University Heights and not be left in limbo without access to neighborhood improvements.

The issue of having our neighborhood not being able to qualify for grants and other benefits available to all the areas around us is more serious than one might think. We have had a strong BID for Adams Which has cleaned up the area and brought in very strong improvements and helped get rid of "tagging" incidents etc. I want to see us participate in the decisions which will reflect all of the neighborhood --- not some district that looks like it was drawn by a preschooler (or perhaps a wealthy person who wants their home to not be compared to areas of apartment conversion and lovely little 1920's cottages). I have gotten more verbose than I intended but I get more angry as time goes by and I think of the arrogance of those who decide they know better than everyone for the 100 years prior is astounding.

My Tax bill says University Heights and I live on Hamilton Street above Meade. I am a part of University Heights and do not feel it is right for a select group of neighbors to try and kick me out of my own neighborhood. I pay taxes to benefit University Heights and am signing the petition to stay a part of University Heights.

Actually... My tax bill says North Park and I would prefer to keep it that way. There is a distinguishable difference between east and west of Texas street and there is no benefit to residents in 'north' North Park to be moved to University Heights. We have a different zip code for crying out loud! My property value will absolutely go down if I am no longer in North Park!! Don't push your agenda on people it won't benefit!