the fault lay not with freespending techies but building restrictions: "The city has to relax planning controls." The SF planning department is frequently deri

the fault lay not with freespending techies but building restrictions: "The city has to relax planning controls." The SF planning department is frequently derided for micromanaging sensible projects that would sail through the permitting process in other cities. The prolonged finessing of architectural details and even paint color can delay and kill many projects. Though, IMO, the bigger problem is the perverted process of "community involvement" used by the city. Essentially any permit issued for any project can be appealed by any single person. This unwavering obstruction of change is a large part of what makes San Francisco really expensive. While the process may be to blame, I think the tech companies should do more to engage with the local government for mutual benefit: anything from campaigning for an improved development process, to funding street improvements that provide space for employee shuttles (so they don't block local Muni bus stops.)