Russian Hill Neighbors

Creating Community in the Russian Hill Neighborhood of San Francisco

Letter from the President

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Dear Members, Merchants and Friends,

Your RHN Board of Directors and fellow neighbors are looking forward to seeing you at the August 11 Summer Picnic. This very local, low-key event is a great way to meet new friends in the neighborhood.  Click PICNIC.

We will also be excited to see those of you who are signed up for the NERT training sessions beginning Monday, August 6, at the San Francisco Art Institute.

At our recent Annual Retreat, the RHN Board participated in a hands-on exercise in responding to the first few hours of a major disaster. It became clear that the key ingredient to success is ongoing preparation at the individual block level. Toward that goal, we will be working with our District Supervisors and the City’s Neighborhood Empowerment Network, led by Daniel Homsey (who led us in the Retreat exercises) over the coming months. Please stay tuned for details. Remember, we need to rely on ourselves and our neighbors because outside help, based on the experience of disasters in other cities, will likely be unavailable for many days, if not weeks.

“Do not wait for the cavalry. The cavalry is not coming. The cavalry is you!” (Latoya Cantrell, Mayor of New Orleans.”)

Carol Ann Rogers
President

President’s Letter

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Dear Members, Merchants and Friends,

How well do you know your immediate neighbors? Do you have a plan and the resources to help each other if disaster happens?

Research has shown that social cohesion is an essential ingredient of any community’s ability to withstand the impact of a natural or man-made disaster. Neighborhood organizations like Russian Hill Neighbors provide ongoing opportunities to build and maintain that cohesion.

Toward that end, RHN is sponsoring a NERT (Neighborhood Emergency Response Team) training program. This free program will take place at the SF Art Institute on Monday evenings beginning August 6 through September 17. Consider enrolling yourself and bring a friend from your block!  Click NERT for further information.

Another important opportunity to connect with your neighbors and increase our neighborhood’s resilience and interconnections will take place on Saturday, August 11 at RHN’s Summer Picnic. Bring a dish to share and enjoy hot dogs, hamburgers and the “fixings” on us!  PICNIC.

This month the RHN Board of Directors will hold its Annual Retreat to discuss ways our organization can be proactive and strategic in fulfilling its mission. We look forward to sharing the results of this effort.

Happy Summer!

Carol Ann Rogers
RHN President

Lombard “Crooked Street” Project

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RHN has been working with affect neighbors, other organizations, and the City to resolve the severe impact on our neighborhood of the Lombard “crooked street.” These impacts include traffic congestion on Lombard Street stretching from Hyde Street, west to Van Ness Avenue and beyond. The result is not only traffic impacts and reduced access for residents on Lombard Street, but the virtual isolation of Russian Hill from the Golden Gate Bridge and Van Ness Avenue, given that left turns are no longer permitted on Van Ness from Lombard to Broadway and it is proposed that Broadway’s lanes be narrowed and constricted.
The City is currently studying a plan whereby non-residents will be permitted to drive down Lombard Street only if they have a reservation for a particular window of time. Reservations would be obtainable, for a reasonable fee, only up to a number that can be accommodated without producing adverse impacts. Those who try to drive down the street without a reservation would be subject to a fine. Enforcement would be via a camera-reading technology similar to that used on the Golden Gate Bridge. This technique would require special state legislation, which the City’s representatives are pursuing.
Even if this provision is effective in limiting the number of cars lining up and driving down the “crooked street”, RHN recognizes that there are other impacts, including tourists who illegally park their cars and congregate at the top and bottom of the “crooked street” and often engage in anti-social actions. Attention needs to be given to these problems as well.
Supervisor Stefani has been instrumental in getting the MTA’s attention and keeping the efforts on track. We hope to be able to report substantial progress in the near future.

From the President’s Desk

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Dear Members, Merchants and Friends,

As members of Russian Hill Neighbors, we can all take pride in the contributions this organization makes to our local neighborhood. There are so many ways that we all act individually and in concert to fulfill our mission: to preserve and advance neighborhood character and quality of life through collaboration, volunteerism, and celebration of community.

Recently, the RHN Board of Directors approved the funding of three special projects:

  • $1,000 was donated to Yick Wo elementary school for the purchase of 2 iPads to be used in the classroom by first graders
  • $1,000 was donated to the San Francisco Coalition for Undergrounding Utilities toward the goal of undergrounding 100% of all SF neighborhoods
  • In August and September, RHN will sponsor and cover the expenses of a NERT (Neighborhood Emergency Response Team) course here on Russian Hill.(Link)
Perhaps more important than the dollars we put into the community are the countless volunteer hours. Every year, neighbors give their time to such activities as planting trees, sweeping streets, attending hearings, writing letters, planning events, sharing information, educating themselves and others about personal and community safety – all of which have a positive impact on the quality of life on Russian Hill.

Take a look at the calendar and plan to celebrate our wonderful neighborhood by joining other neighbors at one of our Social Events. The Summer Picnic will take place August 11.

Hope to see you there!

Carol Ann Rogers

RHN President

From the President’s Desk

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Dear Members, Merchants and Friends,

Tremendous thanks to all who made our Annual Membership Meeting on April 19th such a wonderful gathering. The SF Art Institute opened its doors to a perfect venue. We had great weather, a lively pre-social hour hosted by RHN’s Social Committee and an interesting panel moderated by the very able Judson True, chief of staff to Assembly Member David Chiu, assisted by District 2 Supervisor Catherine Stefani, Assistant Chief Toney Chaplin, Commanders David Lazar and Ann Mannix, and Captain Paul Yep. A written report of RHN’s 2017-2018 activities and accomplishments was distributed and can be read here.

Another notable April occasion was the conditional use hearing before the SF Planning Commission on the proposal to locate a Whole Foods 365 full-service grocery at 1600 Jackson Street. The site has been vacant for a number of years since the former Lombardi’s Sports departed. RHN was one of several organizations that conducted surveys showing very strong support for a grocery there. During the 2 ½ year planning review process, RHN submitted three letters of support. We also joined numerous nearby residents and others from Russian and Nob Hills at the hearing to express our support. Project opposition stated a preference to demolish the existing structure and build housing, as well as concerns about formula retail and the potential impact of Amazon’s recent acquisition of Whole Foods.

During the Commissioners’ discussion, a “catch-22” soon became clear. If a grocery is approved to go into the current site, it can occupy 20,000 square feet on the ground floor and retain the existing parking. If the building is demolished and new housing over commercial is built instead, no more than 4,000 square feet may be for commercial use under any circumstances (which is not enough space for a full service grocery) and the parking would come within the strict limits of current zoning.

The Commissioners voted to continue the decision and allow Whole Foods and the building owner 90 days to come back with a revised project that includes a housing element within the existing structure.

Those of us who attended the hearing on behalf of RHN heard loud and clear that our neighborhood wants and needs a full service grocery option, both now and to serve future residents of the new housing projects in our area already in the pipeline or contemplated. We will continue to monitor the project and keep our members informed. During the 90-day continuance period, you can still share your thoughts with the Planning Commissioners and other city officials by email or snail mail.

RHN will sponsor a NERT (Neighborhood Emergency Response Team) course in August and September. This is a free training program wherein individuals learn the basics of personal preparedness and hands-on disaster skills. This is the first time in years that the course has been offered in our neighborhood. Space is limited. You can sign up before registration is opened to the whole city at this link: https://bit.ly/2EXGw7G.

For a number of years now, RHN’s Neighborhood Improvement Committee has conducted regular “street sweeps” on Russian Hill. You likely have seen the volunteers with their colorful work vests. While those participating have enjoyed both the camaraderie and satisfaction of participating in this activity, there is an increasing sense that the problem of dirty streets in our neighborhood is just too great to be addressed effectively in this way. After receiving  many inquiries regarding the possibility of establishing some kind of regular schedule of mechanical street cleaning, the Committee recommended to the RHN Board of Directors that we conduct an online survey of our members on this issue.  Thank you to the 321 of you who responded. The results have been compiled and can be viewed here. A solid 70% favor mechanized street cleaning. We will be meeting with city officials to determine appropriate next steps and will continue to report to you on our progress.

Look elsewhere in this newsletter for details about the May 18th CHEERS night (at Rouge/Nick’s Crispy Tacos on Polk Street from 5:30 – 8:00 PM) and other upcoming social events. Thank you for your membership and partnering with us to preserve and advance our very special neighborhood!

Carol Ann Rogers
RHN President

RHN Annual Report to Membership

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ANNUAL REPORT TO OUR MEMBERSHIP
APRIL 19, 2018

Thank you for joining together with more than 500 households and businesses on Russian Hill to pursue our mission:
to be a voice for residents and merchants to preserve and advance neighborhood character and quality of life through
collaboration, volunteerism, and celebration of community. Your membership and support are so important. Briefly, here
are some of RHN’s activities and accomplishments during fiscal year May 1, 2017—April 30, 2018.

Click RHN Annual Meeting Report to Membership for a pdf version.

DESIGN, ZONING, LAND USE
Volunteers attended approximately a dozen pre-application meetings and project presentations to offer input and
monitor for broader neighborhood impacts. Most recently, DZLU has helped formulate RHN’s position and advocate on
behalf of the community for the proposed Whole Foods 365 project on Polk St. On the policy front, DZLU provided comments
on the City’s new Urban Design Guidelines and is reviewing Special Area Guidelines for Polk St. It has supported
historic preservation of threatened properties, expressed opposition to new installations of wireless equipment on wood poles
and supported the San Francisco Coalition to Underground Utilities via letters and testimony. In addition, committee members
produced RHN’s “Land Use and Development Principles,” a document that aims to serve as a broad tool for evaluating and
guiding projects and policies. Members have also participated in the Van Ness Corridor Neighborhood Council. You can
reach DZLU by email to zoning@rhnsf.org.

FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN
RHN’s Families With Children Committee has worked hard this year to promote a sense of community for families
with children in the neighborhood. To that end, this year the Committee has hosted four family gatherings at Helen Wills, our
local playground, where RHN provided snacks, crafts and games for the kids, and a chance for everyone to come out and get
to know their neighbors. Together with the Polk Street Merchants Association, the Committee also co-sponsored the annual
Polk Street Halloween Walk where over a hundred children, pets and parents trick-or-treated in costume at local businesses
and also decorated pumpkins to take home! In addition to in-person get togethers, the Committee periodically sends out
emails compiling information about family-friendly things happening in and around Russian Hill. RHN’s Families With
Children Committee is always looking for ways to make Russian Hill an even more wonderful place to raise children. If you
have ideas or want to get involved, please reach out to families@rhnsf.org

PARKS
The Parks Committee held three successful Community Park Workdays. In conjunction with SF Recreation and Parks
Department, we helped to maintain and improve Michelangelo Playground’s landscaping and replaced 10 tons of sand in the
children’s play area. We are also in the final stages of discussion to help fund improvements to Helen Wills Playground. To
volunteer or make suggestions for park improvements contact parks@rhnsf.org.
Lovely Fay Park on Russian Hill was bequeathed to the City of San Francisco by Mary Fay-Berrigan and open to the
public since 2006. Currently the house, in need of extensive restoration, is closed to the public but the Thomas Church award
winning design garden is open to enjoy. Fay Garden is well maintained with beautiful trees, bushes, pathways, flowers and
rose gardens thanks to the Citizens Advisory Committee and to Zack Taylor, Park Service Maintenance/Manager for S. F.
Recreation and Parks. In 2017 little lights were added to illuminate the outlines of the two white gazebos at night. On the gate
is posted a historical narration and visiting hours. In 2017 improvements completed to Fay House included the hazmat abatement
(asbestos, etc.), a new roof deck, replacement of the original deck flagpole, a new balustrade/railing on the 2nd floor
deck, and roof repairs to check water intrusion. For more information about Fay Park please contact director8@rhnsf.org.

TRAFFIC & TRANSPORTATION
The Central Subway extension, Polk Street & Van Ness improvement projects, the crooked street congestion and the
ongoing problem of buses getting stuck on the steep hill at Filbert & Jones were among topics followed this year. In May, the
SFMTA is planning to begin a community outreach process on the Central Subway extension (to North Beach and Fisherman’s
Wharf) to gather input and a deeper understanding of community needs in connection with planning this important
project.. RHN urges all members to respond and participate. Contact transportation@rhnsf.org.

COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING
The team kept the information flow going at a high pace in FY2017-2018, producing 25 eblasts highlighting social
events, neighborhood sweeps, police/safety activities and event photos reaching a record 971 subscribers (up 17% from the
beginning of 2017.) The open rate consistently beat the industry average of 21% with a 46% rate. The webpage saw an
addition of 55 articles posted, 89 events and 34 photos to ensure a good degree of relevance and timeliness. The committee
of 1 has grown to 3 and will more actively maintain RHN FB and Twitter accounts. And lastly, a $4300 donation from
Intel Corp was made based upon volunteer hours in 2017. Contact communications@rhnsf.org.

SAFETY
RHN’s Safety Committee partnered with the Families with Children Committee over the past 4 years in putting on
Safety Fairs for over 250 parents and children learning first hand from SFPD officers (dogs, motorcycles, SFPD cars, sirens
and fun ways of learning) the community can become crime busters! Great outreach and success through Children’s
events. Monthly SFPD crime newsletters are included in every RHN EBLAST. Contact safety@rhnsf.org.

NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT
This past fiscal year, the Neighborhood Improvement Committee continued with its periodic volunteer sweeps.
Our group of volunteers, through their hard work and dedication, have raised awareness for, and facilitated, clean streets
on Russian Hill. Our ultimate goal is to have the City resume street cleaning in the neighborhood, so we sent out a survey
to gauge the level of support for this service. The number of respondents was impressive, and support for street sweeping
was overwhelming. The next step is to present the survey to our two supervisors to demonstrate broad support within our
community. We’ll keep you updated on our progress.
Additionally, RHN Neighborhood Improvement partnered with Friends of the Urban (FUF) Forest and RHCA in
the 2017 tree-planting effort. Volunteers surveyed locations for new trees and tree-replacement, and stuffed mailers to be
sent to residents throughout the Hill. While the tree-planting was considered a success, it fell short of the goal the organizers
set. The good news is that a new tree-planting is being coordinated in cooperation with FUF for this Spring. Trees and
gardens are now being planted at no cost to homeowners. Tree maintenance and tree root damaged sidewalk repair is now
being provided by SF Public Works. Homeowners and or “renters” can apply for new trees, replacement trees, and even
small sidewalk gardens to be installed at no cost to homeowners. Applicants will be asked to commit to arranging weekly
watering of the new plantings until they are established. The tree-planting date is TBD, so please stay tuned for further
updates. Questions, contact improvement@rhnsf.org.

SOCIAL
The Social Committee had a busy FY 2017-2018. We started the year with a Wine and Dine dinner at a member’s
home where we enjoyed a home cooked dinner, great conversation and a beautiful view. Our Cheers nights gave members
a chance to mingle at Rogue. In June RHN enjoyed the beautiful weather at a picnic at Teepee park on Hyde Street, where
we recognized the street cleaning volunteers while enjoying hamburgers, hot dogs etc. In September, we participated in
the SF Community Night at SF Symphony where RHN enjoyed music composed by Bernstein, Rachmaninoff and Ravel.
We ended the year with a fabulous holiday party with over 100 attendees. We have multiple events planned for 2018 including
Cheers events, dinners and encores of our picnic, symphony night and our holiday party. If you have questions or
suggestions, contact social@rhnsf.org.

MEMBERSHIP
Membership in 2017 increased with 63 new members joining RHN. There were 165 membership renewals for the
2017 calendar year achieved through both Winter and Spring renewal campaign efforts. New Membership Chair Tracey
Katayama joined the Board in October of 2017. Contact membership@rhnsf.org.

HISTORY
The History Committee takes photos of all of RHN’s gatherings and events, featuring them on the website and
maintaining them for archival purposes. The committee also responds to requests from the public for historic information
on Russian Hill and our organization. Contact history@rhnsf.org.

 

Letter from Executive Committee

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Dear Members, Merchants and Friends,

As we listen to our fellow Russian Hill residents, we repeatedly hear your deep concerns over two important issues: Increased Safety and Cleaner Streets.

We ask you to join us in addressing these by: (1) responding to the Street Cleaning Survey recently emailed to all Members and Friends for whom we have a current email address; (2) by attending our April 19th Annual Meeting at the San Francisco Art Institute which will focus on Safety.

Under the leadership of Greg Polchow and a loyal and hard-working cadre of volunteers, RHN’s Neighborhood Improvement Committee has done a yeoman’s job of addressing the condition of our streets with regular Saturday Street Sweeps. You may have seen them in their neon-colored vests, broom in hand. However, it has become clear over the past two years that this commendable activity is like swimming against the tide. Russian Hill is one of the few neighborhoods that does not have regular mechanical street cleaning. In addition to our steep hills and limited street parking, there has been over the years a resistance among some residents to embrace this service. Given the current level of grime and debris we experience every day in our neighborhood, RHN believes it is time to reassess the situation and we need to hear from you! You should have recently received a brief survey from RHN by email. If you have not already done so, please respond promptly with your thoughts and suggestions. There may not be a “one size fits all” solution. But continuing to just put up with this state of affairs does not seem to be productive.

For our Annual Membership Meeting, past RHN President and current Safety Chair Tina Moylan is organizing a powerful panel of law enforcement and public officials to discuss the current level of crime in our City and our neighborhood, what measures are being taken to address them, and how we can participate in our own personal safety.  The Annual Membership Meeting is also an opportunity for RHN Members to socialize before the meeting and to participate in a brief RHN business meeting prior to the Keynote Panel. See you there!

If you indicated on your Membership Form an interest in joining a committee, you should have received or will soon receive a phone call of email from that committee’s chair. Thank you for volunteering and we look forward to your participation.

Continued thanks to all of our New and Renewing Members!

The RHN Executive Committee

Letter from the Executive Committee

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Dear Members, Merchants and Friends,

Many thanks to all who have renewed your RHN memberships for 2018! Membership Chair Tracey Katayama and her team are working hard to make renewing an easy step for all members, as well as to attract new members. If you have not yet responded to the membership renewal letter you received at the end of 2017, you will soon be receiving a reminder. Or you can go online to www.RHNSF.org  and renew TODAY!

We also want to extend a very warm welcome to our many new members who have joined RHN for the first time in 2018. Your support is so important to helping RHN succeed in its many advocacy, improvement, safety, educational and social activities which preserve, enhance and celebrate our wonderful neighborhood.

Whether you are a renewing or new member, please plan to attend our Annual Membership Meeting on April 19, 6 – 8 PM, at the San Francisco Art Institute. We are focusing our entire program on Safety, with participation anticipated from Police Chief Bill Scott, Supervisors Peskin and Stefani, Police Captains Yep and Engler, among others. We are very grateful for the generosity of the Art Institute in lending their beautiful and historic venue for this gathering. Watch your Inbox for more detailed information as April 19th approaches.

The response from RHN residents in favor of the Whole Foods 365 proposal for 1600 Jackson street has been tremendous. It is important that your voices are heard. The Conditional Use hearing postponed from last December has not yet been rescheduled, but we understand that it will likely take place in March. We will let you know the date as soon as we learn it.

The entire RHN Board of Directors congratulates Mayor Mark Farrell and Supervisor Catherine Stefani in their new positions. They know our neighborhood well and have partnered with RHN frequently and effectively over the years. We look forward to working with them this spring!

Be sure to view the many interesting reports and notices throughout the rest of this eblast. And as always, please do not hesitate to contact one of us with your thoughts, suggestions and concerns.

Happy Valentine’s Day!
The RHN Executive Committee