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September 2003 A major battle to preserve the residential character and quality of life in Pacific Heights – and every other San Francisco neighborhood – is underway. At issue are the Housing Element of the city’s general plan, and Supervisor Aaron Peskin’s legislation on “in-law” units. The Housing Element would raise height limits, bulk limits, density limits while lowering parking requirements along “transit corridors.” Peskin’s legislation would open the door to construction of “in-law” units on virtually every block in San Francisco. “Transit corridor” is often interpreted as referring to Mission Street, Geary Boulevard and Van Ness Avenue or Lombard. However, the draft document blurs the line between “transit corridors” and “neighborhood commercial districts,” some of which are “transit rich.” That raises the specter of streets such as Fillmore, California, Divisadero being turned into shadowed, windy canyons. PHRA Founder Charlotte Maeck is working with a citywide ad hoc committee of neighborhood organizations, Save Our Neighborhoods, attempting to galvanize residents to express strong opposition when the Planning Commission hears the issue October 9. PHRA supports the SON effort. She noted that these proposals are moving through an approval process with no citywide notification to residents. The draft Housing Element includes policy that increases height, built and density height limits along unspecified transit corridors. No parking would be required for these high-rises. Enactment of the Housing Element would undo all the hard work in 1972 that lowered height limits to 40 feet and resulted in the formation of PHRA. Secondary or “in-law” units of 750 square feet would also be allowed, with no parking requirement, along these streets and for 1,250 feet – more than two blocks – on both sides. Union Street and Lombard are less than 2,500 feet apart, so all the new limits would apply to the entire area between them. The same would apply to Jordan Park, between California and Geary. The city position is that along transit corridors or transit-rich streets, residents will use public transportation. However, Muni, raises doubts that the transit in place would be adequate. Another pending question is whether the Housing Element needs to go through the regular Environmental Impact Report process. Residents say that it should. Beyond the 1,250-foot limit, Peskin’s legislation would allow any homeowner to add a secondary unit for disabled or elderly people, with no specifications on what constitutes a disabled or elderly person, again without the parking requirement. Further, the legislation would end the right of neighbors to file for discretionary review of secondary units. The Planning Department has made it clear it cannot monitor or enforce the “disabled” or “elderly” requirement. SON – and PHRA – request the city to retain all existing height, bulk and density zoning citywide and the requirement of one parking space for each residential unit. SON and PHRA also request that the city retain the present Planning Code language for “in-law” units that allows them in neighborhoods pursuant to the requirements of notification, due process and appeal. The organizations also request the Planning Department to establish and maintain procedures to monitor and enforce the Planning Code to include severe and enforced penalties for violations. Further details are available at www.saveourneighborhoods.org. Residents who oppose the plan are urgently requested to attend the Planning Commission hearing on Oct. 9 at 5 p.m. in City Hall. Everyone is urged to speak, but presence alone is important. In addition, residents are urged to mail a letter to Planning Commissioners in care of Linda Avery, Secretary, 1660 Mission St., SF 94103. A separate letter should go to the Board of Supervisors, in care of Gloria Young, Clerk, City Hall #244, SF 94102. Include a note asking Avery and Young to distribute your letter to all Commissioners and Supervisors. To
check for last minute calendar changes at the Planning Commission, check
with Linda Avery, 558-6415 or 558-6415 or 558-6399 or 558-6407. |
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