DZLU MEETING DATE: May 18, 2021 (via Zoom)
1. ONGOING PROJECT UPDATES
a. 2424 POLK (at Filbert)—Cannabis retail outlet
DZLU’s consensus at its meeting on 18 May 2021 was to remain neutral regarding the proposed cannabis retail outlet at 2424 Polk St. and not recommend taking a position to RHN’s Board. We have heard a wide diversity of opinions on this, both pro and con, and acknowledge that some of our members and neighbors feel strongly about it. Though we may not be taking a position as an organization, we have encouraged anyone, as an individual, to convey their opinion to the Planning Commission. The public hearing before the Planning Commission on this proposal for a Conditional Use Authorization has been scheduled for June 3.
Below is the link to the public hearing announcement with the meeting agenda and call-in procedures. Please see agenda item 8 for more project information.
20210603_cal.pdf (sfplanning.org)
We have also provided a link below to the 31 January 2021 DZLU report on this project which includes more background and some highlights from the project’s public pre-application meeting that was held on 22 December 2020.
https://rhnsf.org/2021/01/31/dzlu-january-4/
2. ONGOING POLICY UPDATES
a. COMMERCIAL POLICIES: SHARED SPACES PROGRAM, PARKLETS
DZLU representatives met with Robin Abad, Director of the Shared Spaces Program, on 17 May 2021. This was in follow up to RHN’s 3 May 2021 letter discussed at last month’s Board meeting that expressed our concerns regarding quality of design, impacts on curb access and parking, public vs. private use, and noise. Mr. Abad explained that the proposal is to integrate the guidelines developed for the temporary Shared Spaces program, implemented to help businesses during the COVID pandemic, with the already established and more detailed requirements in the Parklet program. The Shared Spaces program was to end on 30 June 2021 but was extended through 31 December 2021 by the Board of Supervisors. Compliance with the new, yet to be determined rules will be required at the end of December.
Although not finalized, the rules are anticipated to include maintaining visibility above a partition height of 42 inches and reinstating yellow zones and bus zones. SFMTA is surveying existing parklets, loading and parking spaces to improve curbside management. The balance between public and private access to parklet seating is also being reviewed; all options will mandate some level of public seating with clear signage. Noise concerns in residential areas are being considered in a parallel track under the Small Business Recovery Act in coordination with the Entertainment Commission. Other issues such as supporting small business with compliance grants and addressing abandoned structures will also be considered.
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