San Francisco Land Use and Transportation Committee Meeting – February 5, 2024

The Land Use and Transportation Committee of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors met on February 5, 2024, at 9:45 AM. Chair Mirna Melgar presided, joined by Vice Chair Dean Preston and Board President Aaron Peskin. The committee considered five agenda items, including a commemorative street naming, accessory dwelling unit (ADU) reforms, a family housing special use district, a resolution opposing state Senate Bill 951, and a fee waiver for downtown rail extension projects. Votes were taken on all items.

Veterans Alley Commemorative Street Name (Item 1)

• Discussion: Supervisor Preston sponsored a resolution to add the commemorative street name "Veterans Alley" to the 0 block of Shannon Street, honoring the San Francisco Veterans Mural Project founded in 2011 by Amos Gregory and the late Gilbert Lovato. Gregory described the project's origins, murals painted by veterans, and community programs including internships and block parties. He credited the Clarion Alley Mural Project and the Tenderloin National Forest for guidance.
• Public Comments: Several speakers supported the designation, citing the alley's transformation, community engagement, and artistic value. Others opposed it: Richard Hack alleged lack of outreach and unauthorized painting; Rick Galliani, managing partner of 565 Geary Street, called the murals graffiti and said they hurt rentals; property manager Joe Braden cited safety concerns from painted street surfaces. Tenants and interns spoke in favor, stating the project improves the neighborhood.
• Key Outcomes: The committee voted unanimously (3-0) to send the resolution to the full Board with a positive recommendation. Supervisor Preston acknowledged concerns and offered to facilitate conversations with neighbors.

Family Housing Opportunity Special Use District (Item 3 – heard out of order)

• Discussion: Supervisor Engardio presented amendments to Chair Melgar’s Family Housing Opportunity SUD (initially created for additional density in RH districts) to incorporate the “domicity” concept: up to six-story apartment buildings on corner lots in the Sunset and Richmond districts, with mixed-use ground floors. The goal is to provide middle-income housing (families earning 150-190% AMI) and senior housing. Planning staff noted the Planning Commission recommended modifications, including allowing RM1 zoning and lot mergers in a bounded area (Great Highway, Lincoln Way, 19th Avenue, Sloat Boulevard), but not the corner height limit increase to 65 feet (staff recommended 55 feet). President Peskin asked whether the changes affect districts beyond the SUD boundaries; staff clarified most apply citywide but corner lot and merger provisions are limited to the specified area.
• Public Comments: Supporters (Housing Action Coalition, SPUR, SF YIMBY) called the plan creative and necessary for missing middle housing. Opponents raised concerns about infrastructure, parking, disruption to existing neighborhoods, and that the SUD map blue line covers most of the city (later clarified as a mapping error). One speaker urged including deed restrictions for seniors. Another noted the pending feasibility study for rezoning.
• Key Outcomes: The committee adopted the amendments as read (all green and yellow highlighted changes) and continued the item to February 12, 2024, for further consideration. Motion passed 3-0.

Resolution Opposing California Senate Bill 951 (Item 4)

• Discussion: President Peskin introduced a resolution opposing SB 951 (Wiener), which would remove large portions of the Sunset, Richmond, and Golden Gate Park from the California Coastal Commission’s jurisdiction. Peskin argued the bill is unnecessary (only two appeals from San Francisco in 40 years, both upheld by the Commission), sets a dangerous precedent, and undermines climate adaptation and public access. He offered an amendment to change the title to “unless amended” to maintain the Commission’s geographic and appellate authority. Chair Melgar expressed reluctance to vote without seeing final negotiations between the city, Senator Wiener, and the Coastal Commission, noting potential housing opportunities on Brotherhood Way parcels. She voted no on the final motion.
• Public Comments: The majority of speakers supported the resolution, citing the Coastal Act’s importance, fears of overdevelopment (e.g., a proposed 50-story tower), and the need to protect Golden Gate Park and Ocean Beach. The Housing Action Coalition and SF YIMBY opposed the resolution, arguing SB 951 would allow housing density bonus and SB 35 streamlining on underutilized parcels like the La Playa Safeway and church parking lots.
• Key Outcomes: The committee adopted Peskin’s amendments (3-0) and then voted 2-1 (Melgar dissenting) to send the amended resolution as a committee report to the full Board.

State-Mandated Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Ordinance (Item 2)

• Discussion: This item updates the Planning Code to comply with state ADU laws. Planning staff presented four clarifying amendments (removing inaccurate findings, density limit clarity, deleting unnecessary notice of special restrictions, and expanding historic resource notification for local ADU program). President Peskin had prepared two additional amendments to steer applicants from the state ADU program (no rent control) to the local program (rent control), but he withdrew them after the state Housing and Community Development (HCD) threatened to revoke affordable housing funding. He denounced HCD’s “bullying” and intimidation. Supervisor Preston criticized the “pro-housing” designation system that conditions affordable housing money on deregulation of market-rate housing, calling it absurd. Public speakers (Housing Action Coalition, SPUR, SF YIMBY, Council of Community Housing Organizations) urged passage to secure the pro-housing designation and unlock $200 million in state funds for 472 affordable housing units and transit improvements.
• Key Outcomes: To preserve the pro-housing designation deadline (March 19, 2024), the committee voted to duplicate the file. The original file was amended with the four planning amendments (green and yellow) and continued to the call of the chair pending re-referral to the Planning Commission. The duplicated file (unamended) was continued one week to February 12, 2024, to possibly incorporate Peskin’s withdrawn amendments. Both motions passed 3-0.

Downtown Rail Extension Fee Waiver (Item 5)

• Discussion: This ordinance allows conditional waivers or reductions of Transportation Sustainability Fees and Eastern Neighborhoods Infrastructure Impact Fees for projects along the Downtown Rail Extension (the Portal) corridor. The waiver is commensurate with the extra cost of constructing foundation types compatible with the tunnel. The Planning Commission recommended approval. Lee Lutenskate (OEWD) and Monica Jacomucci (Planning) presented the ordinance, noting it encourages early coordination and helps stalled housing projects move forward.
• Public Comments: One speaker from Operating Engineers Local 3 supported the fee waiver for job creation.
• Key Outcomes: The committee voted unanimously (3-0) to send the ordinance to the full Board with a positive recommendation.

Key Outcomes

• Item 1 (Veterans Alley): Approved to full Board (3-0).
• Item 3 (Family Housing SUD): Amendments adopted; continued to Feb. 12 (3-0).
• Item 4 (SB 951 Resolution): Amended and sent as committee report (2-1, Melgar dissenting).
• Item 2 (ADU Ordinance): Original file amended and continued to call of chair; duplicated file continued one week (both 3-0).
• Item 5 (Fee Waiver): Approved to full Board (3-0).