Land Use and Transportation Committee Meeting: February 27, 2023
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
Land Use and Transportation Committee Meeting – February 27, 2023
The Land Use and Transportation Committee of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors met on Monday, February 27, 2023, at 1:45 PM. Chair Mirna Melgar presided, joined by Vice Chair Dean Preston and Board President Aaron Peskin. The committee considered four agenda items: amendments to the Planning Code for neighborhood commercial zones; amendments to the Administrative Code regarding tourist/transient use definitions and amortization; amendments to building code penalties (continued); and the creation of a new Special Use District (The Village) serving the Native American community.
Item 1: Planning Code – Neighborhood Commercial and Mixed Use Zoning Districts
Madison Tam, representing Supervisor Dorsey’s office, presented the 210-page ordinance. She noted that a prior administrative error had incorrectly stricken the 1,000-foot buffer for adult entertainment (Section 303); an amendment was circulated to restore it. President Peskin expressed concern about the error being hidden in a long document, but acknowledged it was inherited from previous supervisors.
Public Testimony: Tom Radulovich, Executive Director of Livable City, spoke in support, emphasizing the legislation’s benefits for arts uses, cultural institutions, and community spaces in SOMA. No other public comments were received.
Key Outcomes: The committee voted unanimously (3-0) to adopt the amendment to Section 303 and to continue the item as amended to the March 13, 2023 meeting. The continuance allows coordination with another pending piece of legislation.
Item 2: Administrative Code – Definition of Tourist or Transient Use; Amortization Period
President Peskin introduced a general findings amendment (read into the record) stating the ordinance is necessary to protect housing supply and minimize displacement, balancing hotel owners’ interests.
Public Testimony: Linda Chapman (Knob Hill Neighbors) expressed concern about enforcement and the shift from a 30-day minimum to shorter terms; she noted that many registered residential units are unaccounted for. Ryan Patterson (counsel for Hotel des Arts) opposed the 30-day requirement, arguing it would make units unaffordable for low-income tenants and lead to vacancies and blight. He requested time to review the new findings. A remote caller supported the preservation of residential units over tourist use.
Key Outcomes: The committee voted unanimously (3-0) to adopt the general findings amendment, then voted unanimously (3-0) to send the item as amended to the full Board of Supervisors without recommendation for consideration on March 7, 2023.
Item 3: Planning and Building Codes – Penalties for Code Enforcement
Chair Melgar announced that Supervisor Ronen requested a continuance because amendments were not yet finalized. No public comments were offered on the continuance.
Key Outcome: The committee voted unanimously (3-0) to continue the item to the next meeting (week of March 6, 2023). No substantive discussion occurred.
Item 4: Planning Code, Zoning Map – The Village Special Use District (80 Julian Avenue)
Alex West (Planning Department) presented the proposal to create a Special Use District at 80 Julian Avenue, allowing a six-story, 41,000-square-foot mixed-use facility for San Francisco’s Native American population. The project includes a youth recreation center, elder services, dental and medical clinics, 21 group housing rooms (including a floor for mothers with children), a roof garden, and administrative headquarters for the American Indian Cultural District. The Planning Commission recommended approval on January 26, 2023. Peter Bratt (Friendship House) and Dawila Harrison described the project as fulfilling the vision of Helen Waukazoo, the organization’s founder, to provide a one-stop healing and cultural center.
Public Testimony: Over a dozen speakers (including family members, program participants, and community leaders) spoke overwhelmingly in support, citing the project’s role in healing, cultural preservation, and addressing substance abuse. No opposition was voiced. Speakers emphasized that the site is on stolen Ohlone land and called for deeper reconciliation beyond land acknowledgments.
Key Outcomes: Supervisors Preston and Melgar requested to be added as co-sponsors. The committee voted unanimously (3-0) to recommend approval of the ordinance to the full Board of Supervisors.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon, everyone. This meeting will come to order. Welcome to the February 27th, 2023 meet regular meeting of the Land Use and Transportation Committee of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. I am Supervisor Mirna Melgar, Chair of the Committee, joined by Vice Chair Supervisor Dean Preston and Board President Aaron Peskin. The committee clerk today is Erica Major, and I would also like to acknowledge Matthew Now and Dennet Ivalouf of SFCup TV for staffing this meeting. Madam Clerk, do you have any announcements? Yes, thank you, Madam Chair. The Board of Supervisors and its committees are now convening hybrid meetings that allow in-person attendance and public comment while still providing remote access and public comment via telephone. The board recognizes that equitable public asset access is essential and will be taking public comment as follows. Public comment will be taken on each item on this agenda. Those attending in person will be allowed to speak first, and then we will take those who are waiting on the telephone line. Those watching either Channel 26, 28, 78, 99, and SFGov TV. The public call in number is streaming across the screen. The number to call in is 65501. I'm sorry, 0001. Again, that number is 415-655-0001. The meeting ID is 2491-233-7925, then press pound and pound again. When connected, you will hear the meeting discussions, but you will be muted and in listening mode only. When your item of interest comes up and public comment is called, those joining us in person should line up to speak near their right near the curtains. And those on the telephone line should press star three to be added to the queue. If you're on the top if you're on the telephone, please remember to turn down your television and all listening devices. As already indicated, we'll be taking public comment from those attending in person first, and then we will go to the public call and telephone line.org. And if you submit public comment via email, it will be forwarded to the supervisors and made part of the official file. The address is one Dr. Carlton B. Goodlit, place. Room 244, San Francisco, California, 94102. Finally finally, items acted upon today are expected to appear on the Board of Supervisors Agenda of March 7th, unless otherwise stated. Madam Chair. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Uh, just to add to Madam Clerk's announcements, masking is still highly recommended, though not required throughout this building. Please continue to be respectful of those around you and provide adequate spacing if you're seated or speaking in the chamber. Thank you. Uh before I ask you to call item number one, Madam Clerk. I just wanted to make an announcement uh that Supervisor Ronin has requested that we continue uh item number three today because the amendments are not quite uh approved as the form yet. There was a little bit of a mix-up. Uh so uh we will take public comment on the continuance of this, but not not take action on this today. So I just wanted to uh let you all know that if you're tuned in for that. Um so with that, uh Madam Clerk, uh item number one was amended and continued from the uh 13th land use and transportation committee meeting. So if you could please call that. Item number one is an ordinance amending the planning code to update and reorganize neighborhood commercial and mixed use zoning district controls, including among other things and affirming appropriate findings. Members of the public who wish to provide public comment on this item should dial 415-655-0001. The meeting ID today is 2491-233-7925, then press pound and pound again. And if you have not done so and would like to speak on item number one, you just need to press star three. Madam Chair. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Uh we have Madison Tam here from Supervisor Dorsey's office. Welcome, Madison. Good afternoon, members of the land use committee. Happy to be here for a second time to speak about this legislation.
openpublica.com