2 ms·
For legalizing construction of new apartments, the strategy is multi-pronged: 1) ballot props to make development by-right (must be a ballot prop rather than l
by buss 7y ago
For legalizing construction of new apartments, the strategy is multi-pronged:
1) ballot props to make development by-right (must be a ballot prop rather than legislation because the problems are in the city charter which can only be changed by ballot prop)
2) adjust fees and inclusionary zoning requirements to be realistic. Right now the inclusionary zoning requirement is more than the market can bear, so development is drying up.
3) rezone all of SF to allow greater densities and heights. This is a combination of legislation and ballot props. Rezoning by ballot allows skipping a years/decade long environmental review.
4) CEQA and other environmental regulation reform. CEQA was designed in the 70s to preserve open space, it now encourages sprawl because nobody can sue you with CEQA if your new development doesn't have existing neighbors. And CEQA considers decreased traffic speeds as a negative impact, so any new development in a city can be stopped due to adding traffic.
5) eliminate parking minimums
6) reform or eliminate discretionary review, which allows any person to stop a project for years
7) change the scope of authority of the planning commission. It has dictatorial power over what gets built, does not reflect the demographics of the city, and is unelected. They should not have as much power as they do. More details in my article: https://medium.com/yimby/the-staggering-inequity-of-the-san-francisco-planning-commission-a546b82c5d56 https://medium.com/yimby/the-staggering-inequity-of-the-san-...
There are more policy directions, but this is just off the top of my head.