San Francisco Port Commission Meeting – August 12, 2026

Note: The agenda and transcript indicate the meeting was held on August 11, 2026, but the user-provided timestamp is August 12, 2026. This summary uses the latter date as instructed.

The Port Commission convened to hear an extensive executive director’s report, approve four consent calendar items, receive informational updates on the Pier 70 28‑acre site project and the Waterfront Resilience Program’s coastal flood study, and authorize an exemption from Administrative Code Chapter 29 for resilience projects. Commissioners welcomed new member Vanessa Tapia Hardigan, recognized Transgender History Month, and adjourned in memory of victims of a recent boating accident.

Consent Calendar

• Resolution 26‑40: Second Amendment and fee waiver for License No. 17173 with Pacific Cruise Ship Terminals LLC for ~20,000 sq. ft. at Pier 19.5 for terminal worker parking during cruise calls at Pier 27. (Approved unanimously)
• Resolution 26‑41: No‑fee License No. 17484 with CP Development Co., LLC for ~36,300 sq. ft. of non‑contiguous land within the Candlestick Point Development site for an eight‑year term after cost recovery. (Approved unanimously)
• Resolution 26‑42: Modification of Contract No. 2894 (Fisherman’s Wharf Forward – Taylor Street Public Plaza) increasing contract value by $250,000 and extending substantial completion by 18 days. (Approved unanimously)
• Resolution 26‑43: Naming the new plaza on Taylor Street (Wharf J1) “Alioto’s Plaza,” consistent with the Port’s Recognition and Commemoration policy. (Approved unanimously)

Public Comments & Testimony

• Captain Maggie Hallahan: Expressed concern about the lack of REC‑1 water testing in areas where kayaking and stand‑up paddleboarding are allowed, urging the Port to create and publish new test zones so that communities and youth can safely use the water.
• Lisa Jennison (public comment on Pier 70): Asked for clarification on the proposed reduction of affordable housing from 30% to no less than 20% and the increase of 600 total units via height waivers.
• Public comment on resilience (Pier 68): A speaker (unidentified) urged testing of Pier 68 for toxicity and cleanup costs, suggesting a Superfund designation could bring federal funding; referenced past cleanup issues at Hunters Point.
• Alice Rogers (President, South Beach / Rincon Hill / Mission Bay Neighborhood Association): Voiced strong support for the Waterfront Resilience Program, noting that a similar presentation was well‑received at a neighborhood meeting and that the community appreciates the ongoing work.

Discussion Items

Executive Director’s Report (Item 9A)

• Michael Martin reported on: the Blue Economy Initiative’s first networking event (~70 attendees); eight leasing applications received in one month; next month’s Pier 70 music festival (Pier Play San Francisco) at Elevation Sky Park; the San Francisco Historium Spotlight at Pier 35 (August 22‑23); Mission Rock Phase One winning a 2026 ULI Americas Award for Excellence; the Mission Bay Ferry Landing construction contract awarded (completion expected late 2027/early 2028); and the Illinois Street Parking Access Project to add ~60 spaces.
• Commissioner McNeely praised the Blue Economy outreach and asked about potential incubator space. Martin replied that the Port is using a “locationless incubator” approach and will consider a dedicated space as the program matures. McNeely also asked about ferry service; Martin stated SF Bay Ferry intends to start with event service and transition to commuter service.
• Commissioner Adams celebrated the “reset” in San Francisco under the new mayor and stressed the need for affordable housing to keep the city inclusive. He also expressed sympathy for victims of the recent boating accident; Martin noted the Port is working to restore the Hyde Street fuel dock for emergency responders.
• Commissioner Lee expressed excitement about the “new gold rush” of activity.
• Commissioner Tapia Hardigan thanked the staff and noted the importance of financial innovation to fund resilience.
• President Engblom suggested inviting former commissioners to a future meeting and formally requested staff to continue work on a financial innovation lab.

Pier 70 28‑Acre Site Project Update (Item 11A) – Informational Only

• Christine Maher (Port project manager) and Tim Bacon (Brookfield Properties) presented proposed amendments to the Disposition and Development Agreement (DDA) to accelerate Phase 1 vertical development and improve project feasibility.
• Key proposed changes:
  • Adjust the project‑wide affordable housing rate from 30% to no less than 20% (aligning with the current city‑wide 5% inclusionary rate, but with 327 standalone affordable units remaining constant).
  • Increase height on certain residential parcels from 65 to 90 feet (the maximum allowed by the 2014 ballot measure), enabling at least 600 new homes.
  • Write off $50 million of the developer’s Phase 1 return; reduce the ongoing return from 18% to 14%.
  • Reallocate parcels between phases and introduce sub‑phasing to tie infrastructure delivery to market demand.
  • Align impact fees with current city policy and allow condos on residential parcels.
• Commissioner McNeely asked about the effective inclusionary rate; Wyatt Donnelly‑Lentold (Port assistant deputy director) clarified the citywide rate is now 5% based on a controller’s study showing no housing pencils at higher rates.
• No commission action was taken; the item was informational only. Staff will return for final approvals later in 2026 or early 2027.

Waterfront Resilience Program – Coastal Flood Study (Item 12A) – Informational Only

• Brad Benson (Waterfront Resilience Program Director) presented the partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the San Francisco Waterfront Coastal Flood Study, published in the Federal Register on July 31, 2026.
• Key facts: The study covers 100 years (2040‑2140); damages of up to $23 billion in a no‑action scenario; up to 6% of the city’s most developed land could be lost by century’s end. There is a 72% chance of a major earthquake in the next 30 years.
• The recommended plan includes $17.8 billion in coastal flood defenses (seawall elevation, floodproofing, “engineering with nature” features) to be implemented over ~30 years. The first action would be south of the Ferry Building.
• The Port is issuing RFPs for two design contracts totaling $115 million over 10 years (northern and southern waterfront).
• Commissioner McNeely raised concerns about federal political headwinds (climate‑related funding). Benson noted the Army Corps has been relatively insulated and the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) remains bipartisan. Commissioner Adams urged a broad coalition (Chamber, labor, environmentalists) to secure congressional support.
• President Engblom highlighted the need for financial innovation to attract private capital and said the Port is working with the Mayor’s Office on a city committee.

Waterfront Resilience – Chapter 29 Exemption (Item 12B) – Action

• Debian Jain and Helen (Port staff) requested authorization to submit an ordinance to the Board of Supervisors exempting publicly‑funded resilience projects from San Francisco Administrative Code Chapter 29 (fiscal feasibility study requirements).
• The exemption would avoid 6‑9 month delays per report, saving an estimated $31‑$110 million per year in delay costs, and allow CEQA review to begin, making projects more competitive for federal/state funding.
• The Board previously granted similar exemptions to SFMTA and SFPUC.
• Resolution 26‑44 was moved, seconded, and approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Resolutions 26‑40 through 26‑43 were adopted unanimously.
• Pier 70 Update: No vote; staff to return after further negotiation and public outreach for final approvals.
• Chapter 29 Exemption: Resolution 26‑44 approved unanimously; ordinance will be submitted to the Board of Supervisors in fall 2026.
• New Business: Commissioners requested (a) inviting former commissioners to the next meeting, (b) continued work on a financial innovation lab, and (c) a dredging analysis update in October 2026.
• The meeting was adjourned at 5:02 p.m. in memory of Clifford Bosa (79), Carol Bosa (74), Tandra Magruga (58), and a dog who died in the August 2026 boating accident.