DZLU February

DZLU MEETING DATE:  February 19, 2019

ONGOING PROJECT UPDATES:

1. 915 NORTH POINT: DZLU members met on 2/8/19 with Jamestown, the project sponsors of this 37-unit residential development, who presented models and revisions to the massing and site lines in an attempt to address neighbors’ concerns regarding the Conditional Use Application. The top level of the Larkin St. structure has been reduced in size and rear decks have been oriented away from abutting neighbors. It is anticipated that the developer will meet again with neighbors prior to a future CU hearing expected in the spring.

2. PROPOSED NAVIGATION CENTER AT EMBARCADERO & KEARNY: DZLU has arranged visits to two existing Navigation Centers on 2/28/19 at 125 Bayshore Blvd followed by a visit to a second Navigation Center at the Central Waterfront. Sunny Angulo, Aide to D3 Supervisor Peskin, and possibly Police Commander Lazar may attend. DZLU is also closely following input and comments from other neighborhood associations, including the Barbary Coast Neighborhood Association, Telegraph Hill Dwellers and North Beach Neighbors.

ONGOING POLICY UPDATES:

1. UNDERGROUNDING OF UTILITIES: SFCUU continues its efforts to complete the long-delayed undergrounding of all utilities in San Francisco. SFCUU is meeting on 2/21/19 with Jack Gallagher, Chief of Staff to D2 Supervisor Stefani, who has been immensely supportive.  The group is hopeful of a city master plan to address implementation of undergrounding throughout the City.

Subsequent to our meeting, SFCUU relayed that DPW has funded a preliminary master plan study to be undertaken by Telamon Engineering Consultants. This four-month study will also look at potential financing options.

2. TRANSIT-RICH HOUSING—STATE LEGISLATIVE EFFORTS—SB 50: DZLU members had attended an outreach meeting with D2 Supervisor Stefani in the Marina District where there was opposition to Senator Wiener’s proposed legislation. The complex draft legislation is an attempt to address the statewide housing shortage; it will go through a local review for comments and consider local versus State control. DZLU will ask Planning Director Rahaim for his department’s analysis of the item.

Subsequent to our meeting, Director Rahaim confirmed that Planning is preparing an analysis which is anticipated to be discussed by the Planning Commission, tentatively on 3/14/19. A DZLU representative also attended a community meeting hosted by Sen. Wiener on 2/23/19 at the Richmond Recreation Center where SB 30 was discussed more fully.

3. RESIDENTIAL DEMOLITION CONTROLS: D3 Supervisor Peskin’s proposed legislation is an attempt to address the negative impacts of certain demolitions and other occurrences which contribute to the shortage of affordable housing, harm historic resources, etc. The legislation will be presented to the Planning Commission for potential comment, tentatively on 3/7/19.  The extent of the legislation could elicit comment from many stakeholders in the City, including the Mayor.

As outlined previously, penalties for unlawful demolition are increased, especially for historic structures, where a $500,000 penalty is proposed. Questions and concerns remain however about other provisions that appear to trigger conditional use review for many expansions over 10% in area. One question is whether many beneficial remodels and improvements that comply fully with current planning codes and design guidelines, including some that add to the housing stock, might be subject to a commission hearing process that is already stretched.  Our consensus was that, at this time, we wouldn’t recommend any further DZLU action on this, as we had previously shared our questions with Supervisor Peskin’s office at our meeting with Lee Hepner on 11/16/18, and similar questions are being well-covered by others.

Subsequent to our meeting, the Planning Department’s analysis of the proposed legislation was shared, available on its website.