San Francisco Land Use and Transportation Committee Meeting - September 8, 2025

On September 8, 2025, the Land Use and Transportation Committee of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors convened at 9:45 AM under Chair Supervisor Mirna Melgar, joined by Vice Chair Cheyenne Chen and Supervisor Bilal Mahmood. The committee considered six agenda items, including a street safety resolution, building code reforms, and housing-related ordinances. All items were passed unanimously with votes of 3-0, and several amendments were adopted.

Consent Calendar

• Item 1: Ordinance ordering the summary vacation of a public service easement at 112 Kensington Way for $20,000 to facilitate a home construction project. The city's interest in the easement (unused for decades) was quitclaimed. Approved unanimously.
• Item 3: Resolution granting a global master encroachment permit to Bridge Potrero Community Associates LLC for non-standard features (cobblestones, benches, landscaping) in the public right-of-way for the Potrero Hope SF Phase 2 development. Also delegates authority to the Public Works Director for future phases. The project will include approximately 1,700 residential units, 3.5 acres of open space, and 45,000 sq ft of retail. Approved unanimously.
• Item 4: Ordinance amending the subdivision code to clarify resale prices, capital improvement costs, and procedures for below-market-rate condominium conversion units. Affects 303 of 415 existing units, aligning legacy rules with current inclusionary manuals. No new policies introduced. Approved unanimously.
• Item 5: Ordinance amending the building code to remove four local requirements: the Slope and Seismic Hazard Zone Protection Act (citywide, except for specific geographic areas), outdated commercial lighting standards (preempted by federal law since 2012), unnecessary design limits on rooftop mechanical penthouses, and stricter driveway/sidewalk load standards. Unanimously recommended by the Code Advisory Committee and Building Inspection Commission. Approved unanimously.
• Item 6: Ordinance amending the health code to clarify enhanced ventilation standards. Removes Article 38 requirements for multi-unit residential buildings in the Air Pollution Exposure Zone, as the 2025 California Building Energy Efficiency Standards (effective January 1, 2026) now require MERV 13 filtration and balanced pressure citywide. Maintains positive pressure requirements for schools, child care, hospitals, and single-family homes. The ordinance also eliminates a 10-day permit review barrier by the health department. Approved unanimously after amendments.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 2 (Street Safety Act): Over 20 public speakers provided testimony. Most speakers expressed strong support for the resolution, sharing personal stories of near-misses or injuries from traffic crashes. Key themes: need for interagency coordination, data-driven enforcement, protection of vulnerable populations (seniors, children), and faster implementation of safety measures. A few speakers opposed the act, arguing that Vision Zero had failed (citing a 115% increase in fatalities from 2014-2024 if using a different baseline) and calling for more education and enforcement. Two speakers from Connected SF opposed, criticizing the lack of enforcement focus and data manipulation. Others urged inclusion of pedestrian safety from sidewalk scooters and e-bikes. One speaker noted the importance of addressing flooding when narrowing streets. Overall, public sentiment was overwhelmingly in favor of the resolution.

Discussion Items

• Item 2 (Street Safety Act): Chair Melgar introduced the resolution, emphasizing the need to evolve from Vision Zero's piecemeal approach to a coordinated interagency strategy. She highlighted specific actions for SFMTA, SFPD, DPW, DPH, the County Transportation Authority, Fire Department, and School District, with clear timelines and public dashboards. Supervisor Chen praised the interdepartmental approach and noted the changing driving landscape (AVs, ride-share, distractions). SFMTA Director Julie Kirschbaum expressed support, noting that early data from speed safety cameras shows drivers slowing down and that safety improvements have reduced collisions by 16%. Dr. Susan Phillip of DPH committed to continuing data collection and analysis. Chair Melgar introduced amendments to include the Recreation and Park Department and to set a 120-day maximum review period for projects. The resolution was amended and then passed unanimously.
• Item 6: Supervisor Chen asked clarifying questions about the difference between Article 38 and state standards, and about oversight of filter maintenance. DPH Director Jen Calvert explained that the state standard now covers all of San Francisco with balanced pressure, which is more protective than the previous local standard. She noted that filter maintenance is enforced through building code complaints, with only two complaints in the last decade. Amendments proposed by Supervisor Mahmood were adopted (recorded as read into the record by DPH). The item was then passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Item 1: Motion to recommend to the Board of Supervisors passed 3-0.
• Item 2: Motion to adopt amendments (read into the record) passed 3-0; motion to recommend as amended to the Board passed 3-0. The item will appear on the Board of Supervisors agenda on September 16, 2025.
• Item 3: Motion to recommend to the Board passed 3-0.
• Item 4: Motion to recommend to the Board passed 3-0.
• Item 5: Motion to recommend to the Board passed 3-0.
• Item 6: Motion to adopt amendments (as presented by DPH) passed 3-0; motion to recommend as amended to the Board passed 3-0.