OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Land Use and Transportation Committee Meeting - February 3, 2025

Land Use and Transportation Committee — Monday, February 3, 2025
BodySan Francisco, California
SessionLand Use and Transportation Committee
DateMonday, February 3, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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0:11

Good afternoon, everyone.

0:12

This meeting will come to order.

0:14

Welcome to the February 3rd, 2025 regular meeting of the Land Use and Transportation Committee of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.

0:22

I'm Supervisor Mirna Melgard, chair of this committee, joined by Vice Chair Cheyenne Chen and Supervisor Bilal Mahmud.

0:31

The committee clerk today is uh Mr.

0:34

John Carroll, and I would like to thank Kalina Mendoza at SFGov TV for staffing this meeting.

0:41

Uh Mr.

0:41

Clerk, do you have any announcements?

0:44

Yes, thank you, Madam Chair.

0:45

Please ensure that you silence your cell phones and other electronic devices you've brought with you into the chamber today.

0:49

If you have any documents to include as any of today's files, you should submit them to me.

0:53

I'll meet you up front at the rail.

0:55

Public comment will be taken on each item on today's agenda.

0:58

When your item of interest comes up and public comment is called, please not have to speak along the right-hand side of the room.

1:04

I'm pointing it out with my left hand.

1:06

Alternatively, you may submit public comment and writing in either of the following ways.

1:10

First, you may submit your written public comment to me at J-O-H-N period C-A-R-R-O-L-L at SFGOV.org.

1:18

Or you may send your written comments via U.S.

1:20

Postal Service to our office in City Hall.

1:22

The address is one Dr.

1:24

Carlton B.

1:24

Goodlit Place, Room 244, San Francisco, California 94102.

1:30

If you submit public comment in writing, it will be forwarded to the supervisors and also included as part of the official file on which you are commenting.

1:37

Items acted upon today are expected to appear on the Board of Supervisors' agenda of February 11th, 2025, unless otherwise stated.

1:44

And I also want to mention that we have on our agenda by special arrangement a special order for agenda item number two, which cannot be called before 215 p.m.

1:55

Madam Chair.

1:57

Thank you so much, Mr.

1:58

Clerk.

2:00

Please call item number one.

2:03

Agenda item number one is an ordinance amending the planning code to permit the use of California debt limit allocation committee tax exempt bond financing and tax credits under the tax credit allocation committee for certain affordable housing projects that provide additional affordable units or deeper affordability levels than required by the inclusionary housing ordinance.

2:23

The ordinance affirms the planning department sequidetermination and makes findings of public necessity, convenience, and general welfare under planning code section 302, and it makes findings of consistency with the general plan and the eight priority policies of planning code section 101.1 Thank you so much, Mr.

2:40

Clerk.

2:41

So uh we have William Wilcox here from uh MOHCD uh and we also have Kate Connor, I think, who's gonna be presenting on item one, or is that gonna be Ms.

2:52

Bolris?

2:53

Okay.

2:54

Uh and we are joined by Supervisor Souter from District 3, who um has a special interest in a project that fits under this legislation.

3:05

I also understand uh that we have amendments uh that will be introduced by Supervisor Chen uh and Supervisor Mahmoud working with Supervisor Souter.

3:16

Um and those uh amendments are substantive, which means that we're not going to be voting on this today.

3:22

It's gonna have to sit for a week.

3:24

Um I just want to prepare everyone because I know there's a lot of interest in this today.

3:30

Um with that, um, I want to uh give the floor to Supervisor Souter, who is joining us uh and wants to say a few words.

3:39

So welcome.

3:40

Thank you.

3:40

Thank you, Chair Margaret.

3:41

It is uh nice to be here.

3:42

Thank you for having me uh here because this is such an important uh project and opportunity, specifically in District 3.

3:49

Uh happy to see this ordinance come before us today to co-sponsor this legislation along with Mayor Lurie.

3:57

Um we're looking at changes to our inclusory housing program, which would provide new flexibility in meeting our housing needs at all income levels.

4:05

And I understand that these changes are necessary to facilitate an approved project that would bring 300 new homes to Lower Knob Hill, etc.

4:14

A hundred of these units would be affordable.

4:16

It represents a 33% affordable project.

4:20

About as many affordable units as we would get in a typical standalone a hundred percent affordable project from MOHCD.

4:26

And so it is a significant opportunity.

4:29

Um I cannot emphasize enough how uh rare, uh, especially in this climate, uh, an opportunity in a project like this is.

4:36

Uh as it relates to District 3, this would be the single largest source of new housing in district three in decades.

4:43

It would be one of our largest uh apartment buildings in all of District Three once built.

4:49

Uh and you know, we'll be talking about different environmental impacts today.

4:53

I want to underscore uh the significance of having uh 300 new homes uh in a dense walkable neighborhood, 300 new homes just two blocks from the new Van Ness BRT.

5:06

Um this project uh is possible because it has been creative in uh piecing together funding sources and accessing a state program that allows for a limited number of projects to use affordable housing tax credits and tax exempt bond financing to provide a large number of affordable units on site.

5:25

And this is of course the type of thinking and um approach we need in this moment as we work towards our state mandated target of providing 82,000 housing units by 2031, some 40 percent of which must be affordable.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Food Access█████████████████████21%
Affordable Housing████████████████16%
Land Use██████████████14%
Public Comment█████████████13%
Public Health███████████11%
Community Engagement██████████10%
Public Safety████4%
Procedural███3%
Racial And Social Equity██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Land Use and Transportation Committee Regular Meeting - February 3, 2025

The Land Use and Transportation Committee of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors met on February 3, 2025, at 9:45 AM. Presiding was Chair Mirna Melgar, joined by Vice Chair Cheyenne Chen and Supervisor Bilal Mahmood. The committee addressed three agenda items: an ordinance amending the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance to allow state tax credits for mixed-income projects, a hearing on the closure of the Safeway at 1355 Webster Street in the Fillmore District, and a resolution for a commemorative street name designation.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Item 1 (Inclusionary Housing): Multiple speakers expressed support, including representatives from the Housing Action Coalition, SF YIMBY, labor unions (carpenters, electrical workers), and community members. One speaker noted the project would bring 303 units (101 affordable, 202 market-rate) and a child care center. Some speakers urged that the city prioritize 100% affordable projects and ensure certificate of preference holders are included.
  • Item 2 (Safeway Closure): Over 40 speakers testified, most expressing anger, frustration, and a sense of abandonment. Key themes: historical trauma from redevelopment, need for a full-service grocery store, pharmacy, and banking; concerns about safety and the parking lot; calls for eminent domain, community ownership, and immediate interim solutions. Speakers included community leaders (Reverend Amos Brown, Japan Town Task Force, Booker T. Washington Center), residents, and union representatives. Several speakers criticized Safeway’s lack of cooperation and urged the city to hold the corporation accountable.

Discussion Items

1. Planning Code - Inclusionary Housing Ordinance (File 240873)

  • Purpose: Allow market-rate projects using California Debt Limit Allocation Committee (CLDAC) and Tax Credit Allocation Committee (TCAC) financing to provide additional affordable units beyond inclusionary requirements.
  • Amendments: Supervisor Souter proposed narrow exemptions from the Non-Potable Water Ordinance (NPO) for projects providing at least 100 on-site affordable units, using state subsidies, and obtaining a building permit by July 1, 2025. Supervisor Chen proposed amendments to: (1) affirm city policy prioritizing 100% affordable projects for TCAC/CLDAC subsidies, (2) require developers to provide an additional 25% (effectively 4% more) of the baseline inclusionary requirement, and (3) require MOHCD to monitor and report on impacts to 100% affordable projects.
  • Staff Reports: Veronica Flores (Planning) confirmed the Planning Commission recommended approval with technical clarifications. City Attorney Brad Russian stated amendments do not require re-referral to Planning Commission.
  • Committee Discussion: Chair Melgar expressed concern about using environmental regulations as a trade-off but supported the amendments. Both sets of amendments were adopted unanimously (3-0). The ordinance was continued to the February 10, 2025 meeting.

2. Hearing - Safeway Closure at 1355 Webster Street (File 250050)

  • Context: Safeway announced closure in January 2024, initially set for March 2024, extended to January 2025. Pharmacy closed February 7, 2025. The store is privately owned; a pending sale to a developer (Align Real Estate) has been announced but no formal plans submitted.
  • Presentations:
    • Food Security Task Force (Sissy Bonini): 1 in 4 San Franciscans are food insecure. The Western Addition (zip 94115) has 34,000 residents, 4,000 below poverty, 4,000 CalFresh recipients. Chronic disease rates are 4x higher for Black residents. The city cut $35.4 million from food programs between FY22-23 and FY24-25.
    • OEWD (Diana Ponce de Leon): City worked with HRC to hold community meetings, expand paratransit services (shuttles, taxi vouchers), and support food giveaways. Next steps: explore legislative reform, activate the parking lot, and attract a new grocery store.
    • Planning Department (Rachel Tanner): The site is zoned for mixed-use; a grocery store could return. A conditional use permit (CUP) for formula retail would take 6-9 months, plus 3-6 months for tenant improvements. Options to streamline: eliminate CUP for grocery stores.
    • SFPD Captain Jason Sawyer: Theft was not uniquely from the community; arrests showed no pattern. Parking lot issues required Safeway’s cooperation, which was difficult. Security is needed post-closure.
  • Public Testimony: Over 50 speakers, including community leaders, residents, and representatives from Booker T. Washington Center, Japan Town Task Force, NAACP, and labor. Key demands: immediate interim food access, a full-service grocery store, community control, and accountability. Many called for eminent domain or the Community Opportunity to Purchase Act (COPA).
  • Supervisor Mahmood’s Comments: He committed to (1) legislative reform to expedite a replacement grocery store, (2) short-term activation and food distribution, and (3) long-term affordable grocery store. He acknowledged the trauma of redevelopment and the need for transparency.

3. Commemorative Street Name - "Jesai Kingston Way" (File 250049)

  • Proposal: Rename Ingerson Avenue between 3rd and Griffith Streets to honor Jesai Kingston, a young community leader and advocate.
  • Action: No public comment. Approved unanimously (3-0) as a committee report to the Board of Supervisors for February 4, 2025.

Key Outcomes

  • Item 1 (Inclusionary Housing): The ordinance was amended twice (Souter amendments on NPO exemption and Chen amendments on prioritization and affordability requirement) and continued to February 10, 2025, for a vote. All amendments passed unanimously (3-0).
  • Item 2 (Safeway Closure): The hearing was filed (no vote). Supervisor Mahmood outlined three work streams: legislative reform for expedited grocery replacement, short-term activation and food resources, and long-term grocery store. Continued community engagement and interdepartmental coordination were promised.
  • Item 3 (Street Naming): Resolution approved as a committee report (3-0) for Board of Supervisors consideration on February 4, 2025.

Meeting Transcript

Good afternoon, everyone. This meeting will come to order. Welcome to the February 3rd, 2025 regular meeting of the Land Use and Transportation Committee of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. I'm Supervisor Mirna Melgard, chair of this committee, joined by Vice Chair Cheyenne Chen and Supervisor Bilal Mahmud. The committee clerk today is uh Mr. John Carroll, and I would like to thank Kalina Mendoza at SFGov TV for staffing this meeting. Uh Mr. Clerk, do you have any announcements? Yes, thank you, Madam Chair. Please ensure that you silence your cell phones and other electronic devices you've brought with you into the chamber today. If you have any documents to include as any of today's files, you should submit them to me. I'll meet you up front at the rail. Public comment will be taken on each item on today's agenda. When your item of interest comes up and public comment is called, please not have to speak along the right-hand side of the room. I'm pointing it out with my left hand. Alternatively, you may submit public comment and writing in either of the following ways. First, you may submit your written public comment to me at J-O-H-N period C-A-R-R-O-L-L at SFGOV.org. Or you may send your written comments via U.S. Postal Service to our office in City Hall. The address is one Dr. Carlton B. Goodlit Place, Room 244, San Francisco, California 94102. If you submit public comment in writing, it will be forwarded to the supervisors and also included as part of the official file on which you are commenting. Items acted upon today are expected to appear on the Board of Supervisors' agenda of February 11th, 2025, unless otherwise stated. And I also want to mention that we have on our agenda by special arrangement a special order for agenda item number two, which cannot be called before 215 p.m. Madam Chair. Thank you so much, Mr. Clerk. Please call item number one. Agenda item number one is an ordinance amending the planning code to permit the use of California debt limit allocation committee tax exempt bond financing and tax credits under the tax credit allocation committee for certain affordable housing projects that provide additional affordable units or deeper affordability levels than required by the inclusionary housing ordinance. The ordinance affirms the planning department sequidetermination and makes findings of public necessity, convenience, and general welfare under planning code section 302, and it makes findings of consistency with the general plan and the eight priority policies of planning code section 101.1 Thank you so much, Mr. Clerk. So uh we have William Wilcox here from uh MOHCD uh and we also have Kate Connor, I think, who's gonna be presenting on item one, or is that gonna be Ms. Bolris? Okay. Uh and we are joined by Supervisor Souter from District 3, who um has a special interest in a project that fits under this legislation. I also understand uh that we have amendments uh that will be introduced by Supervisor Chen uh and Supervisor Mahmoud working with Supervisor Souter. Um and those uh amendments are substantive, which means that we're not going to be voting on this today. It's gonna have to sit for a week. Um I just want to prepare everyone because I know there's a lot of interest in this today. Um with that, um, I want to uh give the floor to Supervisor Souter, who is joining us uh and wants to say a few words. So welcome. Thank you. Thank you, Chair Margaret. It is uh nice to be here. Thank you for having me uh here because this is such an important uh project and opportunity, specifically in District 3. Uh happy to see this ordinance come before us today to co-sponsor this legislation along with Mayor Lurie. Um we're looking at changes to our inclusory housing program, which would provide new flexibility in meeting our housing needs at all income levels. And I understand that these changes are necessary to facilitate an approved project that would bring 300 new homes to Lower Knob Hill, etc. A hundred of these units would be affordable.

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