Supervisor Safae reviews economic impact of vacant buildings in downtown San Francisco

The San Francisco County government meeting held on July 4, 2025, focused on several key issues, including proposed changes to zoning regulations and the economic impact of vacant buildings in the city.

The meeting began with a discussion regarding amendments to existing legislation originally introduced by former District 4 Supervisor Katie Tang. Supervisor Peskin inquired whether current supervisors had consulted with Tang about the proposed changes. Supervisor Preston confirmed that no consultation had taken place, noting that the issue arose just prior to a Planning Commission hearing. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a dialogue with former supervisors regarding significant legislative changes.

The Planning Commission had unanimously recommended modifications to the ordinance concerning zoning districts, specifically addressing inconsistencies in regulations for massage establishments. Supervisor Preston highlighted that the current zoning did not align with the original intent of the legislation, which allowed for such establishments in certain districts. He assured that efforts were underway to clarify the language in the ordinance to better reflect its intent.

Public comment was then opened, during which a caller expressed concerns about the potential unintended consequences of the proposed changes. The caller warned that easing regulations could lead to an increase in problematic establishments in neighborhoods, citing past experiences with similar businesses. The caller urged caution in treating massage establishments as equivalent to medical services, suggesting that this could undermine existing regulations.

Following public comments, the committee moved to vote on the proposed amendments. Supervisor Peskin and others supported the motion, but it was determined that the changes were substantive enough to warrant further discussion at a future meeting. The committee agreed to continue the item for further deliberation.

The second agenda item addressed the economic impact of vacant buildings in San Francisco, particularly in the Financial District, SoMa, and Embarcadero areas. Supervisor Safae, who sponsored the hearing, highlighted the significant decline in commercial activity due to the pandemic and ongoing remote work policies. He noted that hotel occupancy rates remained below 50%, and the city had experienced a substantial loss in business revenue, estimated at over a billion dollars.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to revisit the discussed items in the following week, emphasizing the need for continued evaluation of the city's economic recovery and regulatory frameworks. The discussions underscored the challenges San Francisco faces as it navigates post-pandemic recovery while balancing regulatory changes and community concerns.