Land Use and Transportation Committee Meeting - November 13, 2023
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Land Use and Transportation Committee Meeting - November 13, 2023
The Land Use and Transportation Committee of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors met on November 13, 2023, with Vice Chair Dean Preston presiding and Board President Aaron Peskin also present. Supervisor Melgar was excused. The committee considered three items related to arts and culture, all of which were forwarded to the full Board of Supervisors with positive recommendations.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Agenda Item 1 (Leather & LGBTQ Cultural District street signs): Bob Brown, President of the Leather and LGBTQ Cultural District board, spoke in support, noting that the signage would enhance the district's international reputation. David Hyman, board member and chair of the arts and culture committee, emphasized that wayfinding signage communicates the area's unique queer culture—including leather culture, the bear community, and kink values—to both locals and visitors. Stephen O'Kay, a 28-year San Francisco resident and member of the leather community, expressed support, stating that municipal signage is important because it affirms government backing for the district's identity, not just during Pride events but year-round.
- Agenda Item 2 (MTT Way commemorative street name): Multiple speakers voiced strong support. Priscilla Geislin, Chair of the San Francisco Symphony Board of Governors, highlighted Michael Tilson Thomas's (MTT) impact on the city, including spearheading a Pride concert when LGBTQ+ civil liberties were threatened and performing with Metallica at Chase Center. Matthew Spivey, CEO of the San Francisco Symphony, detailed MTT's 25-year tenure, his Grammy-winning Mahler project, and his role in championing American composers. Mark Buell, a neighbor and friend, noted that recent Beethoven Ninth performances were sold out with standing ovations, reflecting public adoration. Kathy Payne, San Francisco Symphony piccolo player, called MTT's arrival a golden age and described his ability to connect audiences to the emotional power of music. One additional speaker offered brief support, urging that arts not be weaponized.
- Agenda Item 3 (Non-profit arts education special use district): No public comments were received.
Discussion Items
- Item 1: Leather & LGBTQ Cultural District Street Signs – Resolution to add placemaking street signs reading "Leather & LGBTQ Cultural District" to 26 existing signs in the South of Market area, bounded by Brannan, 3rd, Mission, 12th, and Division Streets. Brian Dahl, Legislative Aide to Supervisor Dorsey, presented the item, noting the cultural district was established in 2018 to recognize SOMA's history as a leather and LGBTQ hub since the 1950s–1960s. No committee questions.
- Item 2: MTT Way Commemorative Street Name – Resolution to add "MTT Way" to the 200 block of Grove Street, adjacent to Davies Symphony Hall, honoring Michael Tilson Thomas's 25 years as San Francisco Symphony Music Director and his broader contributions. Mr. Paulino from the Mayor's Office presented, listing MTT's honors (12 Grammys, National Medal of Arts, Kennedy Center, etc.). Former Senator Mark Leno spoke in support, noting MTT's worldwide renown and the idea came from his husband Joshua Robison. President Peskin praised MTT as a living landmark and teacher of history and culture. Vice Chair Preston added pride that the location is in District 5.
- Item 3: Non-Profit Arts Education Special Use District – Ordinance to amend the Planning Code and Zoning Map to create a special use district at 800 Chestnut Street (the former San Francisco Arts Institute) to allow an unaccredited arts institution with residential components. President Peskin explained the Historic Preservation Commission and Planning Commission both unanimously recommended approval, aiming to extend the site's arts use for another 152 years. Veronica Flores confirmed the commissions' recommendations.
Key Outcomes
- Item 1: Motion to forward to full Board with positive recommendation passed unanimously (2–0, with Melgar excused).
- Item 2: Motion to forward to full Board with positive recommendation passed unanimously (2–0).
- Item 3: Motion to forward as a committee report to the full Board for consideration on November 14, 2023 (Board of Supervisors meeting the next day) passed unanimously (2–0).
- The committee will not meet on November 20, 2023 due to the Thanksgiving holiday; next meeting scheduled for November 27, 2023.
Meeting Transcript
Good afternoon. This meeting will come to order. Welcome to the November 13, 2023 regular meeting of the Land Use and Transportation Committee of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. I'm Supervisor Dean Preston, Vice Chair of the Committee, serving as acting chair of the committee today. And I am joined by uh board president Aaron Peskin on the committee. Our committee clerk today is John Carroll, and our thanks to the team at SFGov TV for staffing this meeting. Mr. Clerk, any announcements? Yes, thank you, Mr. Vice Chair. Public comment will be taken on each item on today's agenda. When your item of interest comes up on our agenda and public comment is called, please line up to speak along the western wall of this room. I'm pointing it out with my left hand. Alternatively, you may submit your public comment in writing, and you may do so by first emailing me. I'm the Land Use and Transportation Committee Clerk, and you can reach my email at J O H N period C A R R O L L at SFGO V dot O R G. Or you may send your written comments via U.S. Postal Service to our office in City Hall. That's the clerk's office, room 244, and City Hall's address is one Dr. Carlton B. Goodlit Place, San Francisco, California 94102. Please, of course, ensure that you silenced your cell phones and other electronic devices you may have brought with you into the chamber today. And if you have any documents you wish to include in the file that you've brought into the chamber, please just leave them on the rail and I'll pick them up when I have a moment. Items acted upon today are expected to appear on the Board of Supervisors agenda of November 28th, 2023, unless otherwise stated. Thank you, Mr. Clerk. And before we call item number one, I'd like to make a motion to excuse Supervisor Melgar from the meeting today. Please call the roll. On a motion offered by Vice Chair Preston to excuse Melgar from the meeting, Member Peskin. Aye. Peskin, I, Chair Preston. Aye. Preston I. Mr. Vice Chair, there is no opposition. Thank you. Please call item one. Agenda item number one is a resolution adding placemaking street signs reading Leather and LGBTQ Cultural District to 26 existing street signs in the South of Market neighborhood in the vicinity of Leather and LGBTQ Cultural District, generally bounded by Brann, 3rd Mission and 12th Streets, and Division Street in recognition and honor of the extensive history and contributions of the Leather and LGBT key LGBTQ community pursuant to the commemorative street plaque ordinance in public works code sections 789 et sec. Thank you, Mr. Clerk. This item is sponsored by Supervisor Dorsey, and I understand that Mr. Dahl, uh legislative aide to Supervisor Dorsey is here to present on this item. The floor is yours. Good afternoon, committee members. My name is Brian Dahl, legislative aide to Supervisor Matt Dorsey, representing District 6, which includes the Leather and LGBTQ Cultural District. The Leather and LGBTQ cultural district was established in 2018 with a purpose of recognizing, preserving, advancing, and promoting the area as a culturally and commercially enriched neighborhood and district in South in the South of Market. SOMA has been a local and world capital for leather cultural since the 1960s, as well as one of the city's most significant and distinctive LGBTQ neighborhoods since the 1950s. Over the past several months, District 6 office has worked closely with the cultural district to increase its visibility through placemaking projects. Thank you, Mr. Dahl. And uh, unless there are any questions or comments, uh, I'd like to go ahead and open up public comment.
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