REPORT FOR THE RHN WEBSITE
DZLU MEETING DATE: February 15, 2022 (via Zoom)
1. ONGOING PROJECT UPDATES
a. 1196 PACIFIC (Jones)
This is a proposed cannabis outlet of approximately 1,000 square feet adjacent to the vacant corner grocery store at 1198 Pacific which is being remodeled for a new grocery/sandwich shop. A meeting to outline the required Good Neighbor Policy followed immediately by a Pre-Application meeting was held on 2/4/22. DZLU/RHN Board members attended.
Approximately 10 neighbors attended. The presentation was led by Sam Collaray, the project’s attorney, accompanied by another partner. Several long-term residents expressed concerns about compatibility with the neighborhood and raised questions about issues including deliveries, security and odors. According to the sponsors, the facility is intended to be “hyper local,” serving the needs of the immediate neighborhood and minimizing delivery impacts. A security guard is present when open and cameras are installed. They appear to be open to feedback and understand that some will not support it.
At DZLU, discussion noted these concerns, but also expressed the desirability of filling a long-term vacancy, observed that negative impacts have generally not been evident at other recent establishments, and noted the modest scale of this proposed outlet.
DZLU will continue to follow this proposal and listen to concerns and opinions, both pro and con.
b. THE LOST CHURCH, 665 CHESTNUT (Columbus)
A live performance venue, currently in the Mission, is proposed to relocate across the street from RHN’s boundary. This would provide an opportunity to give amateurs exposure and could create a cluster of venues including the nearby Cobb’s Comedy Club. We understand this is a change of use and would require conditional use approval. The impact on businesses along Columbus, including those across the street which are within RHN’s boundary, could be very positive. DZLU will continue to follow.
2. ONGOING POLICY UPDATES
a. HOUSING—SF LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS
Objective Design Standards for RH lots, related to SB 9:
Massing and landscaping standards were approved by the Planning Commission on 1/27/22. See last month’s meeting minutes for a detailed discussion. A link to the standards is below:
https://citypln-m-extnl.sfgov.org/Commissions/CPC/1_27_2022/Commission%20Packet/2022-000447CRV.pdf
b. RESIDENTIAL VACANCY TAX
Sup. Preston has proposed a ballot measure to tax residential units unoccupied for over 6 months in a year. If sufficient signatures are obtained to place it on the ballot, and if passed, the measure as currently envisioned would impose a tax of $2,500 per vacant unit on units under 1,000 square feet, $3,500 on units between 1,000 sf and 2,000 sf, and $5,000 on units over 2,000 sf. After the first year, the tax would increase. Single-family homes and duplexes would be exempt.
Many questions and concerns have been raised with a need for clarifications over the definition of unoccupied, and better understanding of the current vacancy rate and the broad range of reasons for existing vacancies. Results of similar measures in Vancouver and Oakland have been mixed, raising some funds but not significantly impacting the supply and cost of rentals, according to some analysts. DZLU will continue to follow.
See the link below for a news article with additional discussion:
San Francisco is the latest city to consider tackling its housing crisis by taxing empty homes.
San Francisco could soon become the latest city to tell property owners to put vacant housing on the market or pay up. On Feb. 8, city supervisor Dean Preston and supporters submitted a proposal for voters to decide this November whether the city should create a new vacancy tax, a measure now being adopted around…
Read in Quartz: https://apple.news/ABnugxP4yTl2dF6ulplSJhw
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