Planning staff previews Safety and Resilience Element update emphasizing climate resilience and equity

Planning Department staff briefed the Historic Preservation Commission on Aug. 17 about the initiation draft of San Francisco’s Safety and Resilience Element, a general‑plan update that staff said will place climate resilience and environmental justice at the forefront of safety policy.

Senior planner Danielle Ngo summarized two and a half years of outreach and coordination with related city efforts, described six draft goals (two new goals emphasizing climate resilience and environmental justice) and noted the element will incorporate the Hazard and Climate Resilience Plan and the Climate Action Plan by reference. Staff cited state laws SB 379 and SB 1000 as drivers of the update and described use of the Environmental Justice Communities Map to prioritize policies for neighborhoods bearing disproportionate environmental burdens.

Anne Marie Rogers explained the commission’s role in advising on preservation content in the general plan and described the update as part of a broader multi‑element general‑plan modernization effort. Staff outlined next steps: the Planning Commission initiation resolution passed in July; the adoption hearing is expected after recess and staff anticipates transmitting the element to the Board of Supervisors in the fall for final legislative action.

Commissioners offered detailed comments. Commissioner Wright urged explicit attention to embodied carbon in existing buildings and to incentives for sensitive seismic and retrofit work that preserves historic fabric. Commissioner So raised questions about the intersection of seismic upgrades, preservation constraints and affordability for homeowners. Staff said implementation documents and further coordination with resilience and capital planning teams will follow the policy‑level element and respond to these operational concerns.

Staff requested commissioner feedback as they prepare the next drafts and related implementation actions.