DZLU June

DZLU MEETING DATE:  June 18, 2019

 

1.    ONGOING PROJECT UPDATES:

a.    982 GREEN – DZLU requested up-dated status information from City Planning and DBI regarding the restoration schedule for this historic building.

b.    945-951 GREENWICH — No changes have yet been made to the previous preapplication drawings for this proposed 4-story, 2-unit building fronting Valparaiso Alley.  The architect has sent requested contextual photos and has been requested to keep DZLU informed of any design and status changes.  No DZLU action at this point.

c.    PHILZ COFFEE AT 2230-2234 POLK — Philz has obtained their required permits and should be proceeding.

 

2.    ONGOING POLICY UPDATES:

a.    TRANSIT-RICH HOUSING—STATE LEGISLATIVE EFFORTS—SB 50 — The bill is currently “dormant” in Sacramento until the 2020 session.  Potential amendments include greater protections for historic districts by recognizing any building in any register and requiring “transit/bus lines” to have been established at least five years prior to be used as justification for greater density.  Comments from Heritage were shared including that this proposed legislation could stimulate greater interest in establishing historic districts and expressing a preference for “local control” versus State control.  DZLU was apprised of an upcoming 07-16-2019 session at SPUR with Senator Wiener and Assemblyman Chiu regarding SB50 and other legislative proposals for housing.  Another initiative is a November 2019 ballot measure to provide affordable housing for teachers, etc. in SF.  DZLU is reaching out to Sen. Wiener’s office to set up a meeting with committee representatives to discuss his response to RHN’s letter on SB 50.  Lastly, the recently passed SF “Non-profit right of first refusal” for the sale of any residential properties with three or more units was also brought to the committee’s attention; the details and impacts are to be determined.

b.    RESIDENTIAL DEMOLITION CONTROLS — This will be heard for information at a joint SF Planning and SF DBI hearing on Thursday 06-20-2019; DZLU representatives will  attend.  D3 Supervisor Peskin’s proposed legislation is very broad, ambitiously hoping to address a great variety of issues.  RHN’s has been very concerned with historic preservation, citing cases of abuse resulting in the negative impacts to historic resources, which has been one of the drivers for this legislation.  However, concerns have been raised about the proposal’s impact on acceptable and beneficial projects that may provide housing or improve properties, and the greatly increased requirements for Conditional Use review.  DZLU will work on possible recommendations for the RHN Board to consider.

c.   VACANT STOREFRONT REGISTRY AND POSSIBLE VACANCY TAX — Legislation to strengthen the registry requirements for vacant storefronts has passed.  As a next step, D3 Supervisor Peskin may propose a ballot initiative with additional vacancy taxes.  Recent news articles have highlighted the complex and time-consuming permit process and current restrictions.  One example is the challenge a limited restaurant faces in proposing an expansion and move to larger quarters as a full restaurant.  This project could be used as a way to study the process and encourage needed changes.  DZLU/Merchant representative will confer with North Beach Neighbors on possible action.