DZLU MEETING DATE: October 24, 2023
1. ONGOING POLICY UPDATES
a. HOUSING POLICY UPDATES
Housing Element Zoning Program
Lisa Chen and Reanna Tong, guests from SF Planning, joined DZLU’s monthly meeting and presented rezoning concepts. Discussion focused on Russian Hill.
A draft rezoning map, Concept 1, is in the following link (Concept 2, not shown, has identical impacts on Russian Hill):
Below is an enlargement of the area that applies to Russian Hill:
While supporting height and density revisions along major commercial and transit streets such as Van Ness and Polk, we expressed concerns similar to those relayed last year. DZLU is drafting a letter thanking Planning for meeting with us and reiterating those concerns which include:
(1) Avoiding the proposed height increases from 40 ft to 65 ft east of Polk St., which are already among the city’s densest neighborhoods and are predominantly smaller-scaled residential blocks.
(2) Similar strong concerns over proposed height increases north of Bay St. in proximity to the waterfront and historic properties such as Ghirardelli Sq and Aquatic Park
(3) Need for design guidelines where height or density increases may be implemented. Planning shared that objective design standards are in development.
(4) Concern that state bonuses could further increase heights beyond what rezoning would permit. Planning is striving to develop a mechanism so that ultimate heights would not exceed what is designated in the new zoning.
Planning is continuing its outreach with additional open houses on 11/8 and 11/15 and a D2 community meeting (D3 invited as well) in early December. They will make informational presentations to the Planning Commission on 11/30 and 12/14 (dates to be confirmed). This is anticipated to go to the Commission for approval in January and then move to the Board of Supervisors in the spring of 2024 for adoption.
We requested that Planning keep us apprised of progress and share with us the next iteration of the rezoning proposals.
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