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Indybay Feature
Will Change Finally Come to San Francisco Planning Commission?
A majority of San Francisco’s Planning Commission will soon be up for reappointment. Although the Commission includes four mayoral and three Board of Supervisor appointees, Commissioner Christina Olague (whose term is not expiring) is the only member whose votes consistently reflect the Board’s progressive majority. Although voters approved the split appointment process in 2002, two of the three appointees by then Board President Tom Ammiano---Sue Lee and Kevin Hughes---have voted identically with their four Brown-appointed colleagues. Board President Aaron Peskin now has a chance to appoint two new commissioners who reflect his and the Board majority’s progressive land use views. Will he and his Board colleagues change the current business as usual attitude at Planning, or simply maintain the status quo?
A major difference between the Brown and Newsom Administrations has been the sharp reduction in public criticism of the San Francisco Planning Department and Commission by progressives and neighborhood activists. All is quiet despite the fact that the Planning Department backlog is the same, the new Planning Director, Dean Macris, was activists’ chief target during the Feinstein years, and the Commission has not voted down or even significantly modified a single major development project.
While Macris, Mayor Newsom, and the Commissioners professional demeanor have insulated the Planning Commission from public criticism, it almost exclusively represents the Newsom-Dufty-Alioto-Pier-Ma- Elsbernd political bloc. Only two Planning Commissioners prioritize tenant interests, and Shelley Bradford-Bell is a Mayor Brown appointee who will soon be replaced.
The Commission’s lack of motivation toward protecting tenants is not simply reflected by public votes. Rather, it is also seen in the freedom it has given to the city’s zoning administrator to issue anti-tenant rulings.
When the Board of Appeals rules 5-0 on tenants’ behalf because the Zoning Administrator refuses to intervene, something at the Planning Department is clearly amiss
Other than Commissioner Olague, the current Planning Commission has little connection with the city’s progressive community.
More
http://www.beyondchron.org/news/index.php?itemid=3326#more
While Macris, Mayor Newsom, and the Commissioners professional demeanor have insulated the Planning Commission from public criticism, it almost exclusively represents the Newsom-Dufty-Alioto-Pier-Ma- Elsbernd political bloc. Only two Planning Commissioners prioritize tenant interests, and Shelley Bradford-Bell is a Mayor Brown appointee who will soon be replaced.
The Commission’s lack of motivation toward protecting tenants is not simply reflected by public votes. Rather, it is also seen in the freedom it has given to the city’s zoning administrator to issue anti-tenant rulings.
When the Board of Appeals rules 5-0 on tenants’ behalf because the Zoning Administrator refuses to intervene, something at the Planning Department is clearly amiss
Other than Commissioner Olague, the current Planning Commission has little connection with the city’s progressive community.
More
http://www.beyondchron.org/news/index.php?itemid=3326#more
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The City and County of San Francisco does NOT have a Master Plan that makes sense.
Again and again this City has failed to have a sound Housing Element Document and the SF City Planning has yet to produce a Transportation Document.
We call ourselves a Transit First City but how can we really address practical Transportation Issues without a sound Transportation Document from the Planning Department. Do we have a sound Transportation Document from the SF Planning Department?
The present Board of Supervisors (BOS) the majority of them have no understanding of Planning and less of the Housing Element and still less of Transportation.
Many of them are linked with the San Francisco County Transportation Authority (SFCTA) as Commissioners and fail to understand that the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) defers Land Use issues to the SFCTA.
SFCTA wastes millions of dollars. Some one should study SFCTA and its relationship with City projects.
The present Planning Commissioners have worked better then the ones we have had in the past in the last two years. That is my subjective opinion.
We will see when Aaron Peskin makes his choice. Aaron Peskin does not have a good track record when it comes to Land Use and some Planning Projects. Time will tell.
As to Mayor Gavin Newsom we get every insight what he plans to do at Treasure Island and the 49er City in the Bayview Hunters Point area. Over 8000 units are in the pipe line in the Bayview Hunters Point area.
Does the Mayor really care about giving First Time Buyers an opportunity to own a home?
Again and again I have asked City Planning Commissioners to evaluate the Cumulative Pollution and they have not all over San Francisco.
We can build thousands of units but where will all the sewage go to?
We can build more housing and facilities but where will we get the Energy from? It is wrong to use fossil fuel which is very expensive and more pollutes the air with dangerous particulates.
The Planning Commissioners do not think it right to address capacity fees when it come to San Francisco Public Utilties Commission and the state of affairs linked to 800 miles of Sewer Pipes and 1800 of Clean Water Pipes most of them leaking and over 75 years old.
It is wrong to pollute our water shed. Thank God we get our drinking water from Hetch Hetchy.
This City has not addressed the Landmark Buildings all over the City with a SOUND inventory of
Historic Buildings. We have NO such sound document.
Again and again we learn at the last minute in committee meetings and before the Board of Supervisors (BOS) of some historic building or site that will be adversely impacted.
The Planning Commission has to deal with a Planning Department that has had a huge turn over.
No project gets the full attention it deserves.
In the 11 Districts the Planning Department has NOT conducted meaningful meeetings. In the Eastern Neigbhood it conducted some meetings and then chose to do what it pleases. You cannot start a process and then dropped it without any consideration for the tax payer and the constitutents that live in the neighborhoods.
Then one has to deal with Jokers like Jake McGoldrick and this Better Neighborhood Plus Ordinance that has been in the pipe line for the two years and he wants to have it in place!
In the Misssion many workshops were held and then the SF Planning Department chose to follow models that were NOT acceptable to the constituents.
Dean Macris because of his age and his side kick Amit Ghosh tow the line. It is this subdued behavior that keeps things in the dark. Where is the vision and more the Accountability and Transparency. You have Badner and just check his attitude. Every time that guy talks it is as if he has something stuck some where which gives him much discomfort.
Mayor Gavin Newsom has shown very poor leadership. We have young planners that have NO clue of history and less of sound planning.
We have a poor Inspection of Building and one Amy Lee who is NOT qualified. She is there because of Mayor Gavin Newsom. SF Planning and the Building Inspector should be talking but they have little clue what really will happen when the Big One strikes?
Again it is not about progressive folks but UNDERSTANDING issues and being well versed with Land Use and real Planning Issues. Poeple live in homes and house to be safe and enjoy Quality of Life issues.
A recent survey indicates that over 55% of the constituents do not feel safe it their neighborhood.
More in some areas. SF Planning can make it better and so can the constituents if there is better planning and better facilities that foster community programs.
Again and again our Environmental Impact Reports and Studies have been shallow.
Open Space and Community Programs get little attention. Quality of Life issues and Cumulative Pollution is looked upon as something those from another planet should be concerned about.
Our SF Planning Department sees nothing wrong with Parcel A which has radiological elements and Parcel B, C, D, E and F under the Bay which is worse. Cumulative Pollution affects a wide area.
Further particulates in our City have risen and affect the health of thousands.
So do pathogens the most dangerous types within 2 miles of the facilties that spew the toxins in the air and around residential areas.
Now can we keep building thousands of units when the environment keeps on getting worse?
People should live in a healthy environment and also be able to afford the homes and units they live in. People should live and grow and NOT be adversely affected.
Mayor Gavin Newsom calls our City a Green City but says not a word when over 400 mature trees were cut at Hunters Point on Parcel A.
The SF Planning Department thinks little when SFPUC wants to place 3 Combustion Turbines spewing PM 2.5 and pathogens in the air by Pier 80. It is this contradiction in values that has failed our City.
The Planning Department has failed us when it comes to Quality of Life issues.
Planning Commissioners cannot understand Quality of Life issues if they are NOT educated on those issues. It is not sufficient to say some words, spew diatribe, but understand the issues.
The Mayor and the President of the BOS has an opportunity to make some selection but let us see if they have the ability to really understand Quality of Life issues and mandate those studies, documents, environmental reports, and follow standards that have taken this City down the wrong path for the last 10 years or more.
San Francisco Redevelopement Agency (SFRA) is a quasi-State agency that should be audit by the Controller's Office. This has not happened. We cannot allow this agency to adversely impact thousands without impunity. Folks like Marcia Rosen should be investigated.
The SFRA has worked with SF Planning in the Mission Bay and failed. The land was polluted from operations in the past linke to Santa Fe, Souther Pacific, and toxins in the landfill. The land was never clean up or abated and now high density homes are bulit and people will die a slow death.
In the Bayview there are over 450 hot spots - the Project Area under SFRA covers it all. SFRA will cap the land and SF Planning as before will give its blessings. We need decent Commissioners on the SF Planning Department to do the right thing.
Eminent Domain and Blight are tools used by SFRA to wipe out people of color. SF Planning Department has been workint with SFRA to do harm to many with due process. Time will tell.
There is a link with the SF Planning Department and SF Planning Commissioners - when thousands suffer because of their united action - they all have BLOOD on their hands.
Francisco Da Costa
Director
Environmental Justice Advocacy
Again and again this City has failed to have a sound Housing Element Document and the SF City Planning has yet to produce a Transportation Document.
We call ourselves a Transit First City but how can we really address practical Transportation Issues without a sound Transportation Document from the Planning Department. Do we have a sound Transportation Document from the SF Planning Department?
The present Board of Supervisors (BOS) the majority of them have no understanding of Planning and less of the Housing Element and still less of Transportation.
Many of them are linked with the San Francisco County Transportation Authority (SFCTA) as Commissioners and fail to understand that the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) defers Land Use issues to the SFCTA.
SFCTA wastes millions of dollars. Some one should study SFCTA and its relationship with City projects.
The present Planning Commissioners have worked better then the ones we have had in the past in the last two years. That is my subjective opinion.
We will see when Aaron Peskin makes his choice. Aaron Peskin does not have a good track record when it comes to Land Use and some Planning Projects. Time will tell.
As to Mayor Gavin Newsom we get every insight what he plans to do at Treasure Island and the 49er City in the Bayview Hunters Point area. Over 8000 units are in the pipe line in the Bayview Hunters Point area.
Does the Mayor really care about giving First Time Buyers an opportunity to own a home?
Again and again I have asked City Planning Commissioners to evaluate the Cumulative Pollution and they have not all over San Francisco.
We can build thousands of units but where will all the sewage go to?
We can build more housing and facilities but where will we get the Energy from? It is wrong to use fossil fuel which is very expensive and more pollutes the air with dangerous particulates.
The Planning Commissioners do not think it right to address capacity fees when it come to San Francisco Public Utilties Commission and the state of affairs linked to 800 miles of Sewer Pipes and 1800 of Clean Water Pipes most of them leaking and over 75 years old.
It is wrong to pollute our water shed. Thank God we get our drinking water from Hetch Hetchy.
This City has not addressed the Landmark Buildings all over the City with a SOUND inventory of
Historic Buildings. We have NO such sound document.
Again and again we learn at the last minute in committee meetings and before the Board of Supervisors (BOS) of some historic building or site that will be adversely impacted.
The Planning Commission has to deal with a Planning Department that has had a huge turn over.
No project gets the full attention it deserves.
In the 11 Districts the Planning Department has NOT conducted meaningful meeetings. In the Eastern Neigbhood it conducted some meetings and then chose to do what it pleases. You cannot start a process and then dropped it without any consideration for the tax payer and the constitutents that live in the neighborhoods.
Then one has to deal with Jokers like Jake McGoldrick and this Better Neighborhood Plus Ordinance that has been in the pipe line for the two years and he wants to have it in place!
In the Misssion many workshops were held and then the SF Planning Department chose to follow models that were NOT acceptable to the constituents.
Dean Macris because of his age and his side kick Amit Ghosh tow the line. It is this subdued behavior that keeps things in the dark. Where is the vision and more the Accountability and Transparency. You have Badner and just check his attitude. Every time that guy talks it is as if he has something stuck some where which gives him much discomfort.
Mayor Gavin Newsom has shown very poor leadership. We have young planners that have NO clue of history and less of sound planning.
We have a poor Inspection of Building and one Amy Lee who is NOT qualified. She is there because of Mayor Gavin Newsom. SF Planning and the Building Inspector should be talking but they have little clue what really will happen when the Big One strikes?
Again it is not about progressive folks but UNDERSTANDING issues and being well versed with Land Use and real Planning Issues. Poeple live in homes and house to be safe and enjoy Quality of Life issues.
A recent survey indicates that over 55% of the constituents do not feel safe it their neighborhood.
More in some areas. SF Planning can make it better and so can the constituents if there is better planning and better facilities that foster community programs.
Again and again our Environmental Impact Reports and Studies have been shallow.
Open Space and Community Programs get little attention. Quality of Life issues and Cumulative Pollution is looked upon as something those from another planet should be concerned about.
Our SF Planning Department sees nothing wrong with Parcel A which has radiological elements and Parcel B, C, D, E and F under the Bay which is worse. Cumulative Pollution affects a wide area.
Further particulates in our City have risen and affect the health of thousands.
So do pathogens the most dangerous types within 2 miles of the facilties that spew the toxins in the air and around residential areas.
Now can we keep building thousands of units when the environment keeps on getting worse?
People should live in a healthy environment and also be able to afford the homes and units they live in. People should live and grow and NOT be adversely affected.
Mayor Gavin Newsom calls our City a Green City but says not a word when over 400 mature trees were cut at Hunters Point on Parcel A.
The SF Planning Department thinks little when SFPUC wants to place 3 Combustion Turbines spewing PM 2.5 and pathogens in the air by Pier 80. It is this contradiction in values that has failed our City.
The Planning Department has failed us when it comes to Quality of Life issues.
Planning Commissioners cannot understand Quality of Life issues if they are NOT educated on those issues. It is not sufficient to say some words, spew diatribe, but understand the issues.
The Mayor and the President of the BOS has an opportunity to make some selection but let us see if they have the ability to really understand Quality of Life issues and mandate those studies, documents, environmental reports, and follow standards that have taken this City down the wrong path for the last 10 years or more.
San Francisco Redevelopement Agency (SFRA) is a quasi-State agency that should be audit by the Controller's Office. This has not happened. We cannot allow this agency to adversely impact thousands without impunity. Folks like Marcia Rosen should be investigated.
The SFRA has worked with SF Planning in the Mission Bay and failed. The land was polluted from operations in the past linke to Santa Fe, Souther Pacific, and toxins in the landfill. The land was never clean up or abated and now high density homes are bulit and people will die a slow death.
In the Bayview there are over 450 hot spots - the Project Area under SFRA covers it all. SFRA will cap the land and SF Planning as before will give its blessings. We need decent Commissioners on the SF Planning Department to do the right thing.
Eminent Domain and Blight are tools used by SFRA to wipe out people of color. SF Planning Department has been workint with SFRA to do harm to many with due process. Time will tell.
There is a link with the SF Planning Department and SF Planning Commissioners - when thousands suffer because of their united action - they all have BLOOD on their hands.
Francisco Da Costa
Director
Environmental Justice Advocacy
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