Lurie's family zoning plan advances amid rising tensions
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San Francisco's Richmond neighborhood. Photo: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images
San Francisco's Planning Commission voted Thursday night to advance Mayor Daniel Lurie's contentious family zoning plan by a 4-3 vote after a marathon 10-hour meeting.
The big picture: Tensions over the proposal, which would enable roughly 36,000 new housing units by allowing new building heights and other changes, are expected to heat up as the Board of Supervisors is now set to take up the measure.
- San Francisco is behind on meeting an ambitious California-set goal of building at least 82,000 new homes in the city by 2031.
- The state has determined the city must change its zoning rules to comply with state law or face losing funding and risk a potential takeover of its housing approval process.
Driving the news: The commission's approval of the plan came after Lurie announced his endorsement of plan adjustments to support small businesses and bolster tenant protections.
- The amendments, proposed by Supervisor Myrna Melgar, would establish a fund to reduce the impact of new construction on small businesses, provide relocation assistance for displaced businesses and require the replacement of rent-controlled units in rezoned neighborhoods.
They'll serve as crucial safeguards, Golden Gate Restaurant Association executive director Laurie Thomas said in a statement Thursday.
Between the lines: Opponents of the plan have cited tenant protections and affordability as primary concerns, and that it will incentivize developers to raze existing structures in pursuit of greater profit and ultimately price people out.
Yes, but: Several supervisors say the plan still has a long way to go.
- Supervisor Connie Chan, who represents the Richmond District, emphasized the need for historic preservation measures and transparency around height and density increases during Thursday's Planning Commission hearing.
- Melanie Mathewson, legislative aide to Supervisor Rafael Mandelman, also raised the need to limit the aggregation of parcels by developers.
Friction point: While multiple local organizations are backing the plan — including the San Francisco Firefighters Local 798, San Francisco Police Officers Association and the Small Business Commission — it remains a flashpoint in the city's YIMBY versus NIMBY debate.
- Coalitions like Neighborhoods United SF have accused Lurie of enabling "punitive height increases" that will "needlessly gentrify San Francisco."
- The Alliance for Affordable Neighborhoods also issued a letter to the mayor saying the plan would displace mom and pop shops and working-class jobs in favor of luxury housing.
State of play: The California Department of Housing and Community Development gave preliminary approval to Lurie's plan this week, though it could be revoked if there are significant revisions.
What's next: The board has until January, a state-mandated deadline, to approve the plan.