LAFCO Updates: Battery Storage Study Nears Phase 1 Completion; Green Bank Finance and Midtown Park Housing Studies Underway
May 17, 2024 | San Francisco City, San Francisco County, California
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LAFCO staff provided updates on multiple studies at the May 17 meeting: a battery energy storage systems (BESS) study, a Green Bank finance study, and a Midtown Park municipal housing management study.
Executive Officer Jeremy Pollock said Arup — contracted as LAFCO’s consultant — is nearing completion of phase 1 of the BESS study, which focuses on one- and two-unit residential buildings and examines permitting and fire-safety issues; staff have received feedback from the Department of Building Inspection and the fire marshal and have extended the schedule to allow fuller review. Phase 2 will examine larger multiunit and commercial buildings, workforce development and virtual-power-plant operations.
An update on the proposed San Francisco Green Bank finance study said staff are coordinating with SFPUC and the reinvestment working group to explore how the city could access Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) awards administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — including the National Clean Investment Fund and the Clean Communities Investment Accelerator — to capitalize a municipal green bank and design loan products for affordable housing, small businesses and ecological sustainability.
On Midtown Park Apartments, staff reported continued resident engagement and a property-conditions assessment; the consultant aims to complete the Midtown Park study in early 2025. LAFCO has reissued its municipal housing agency feasibility RFP with a not-to-exceed $200,000 cap, removed an earlier symposium requirement, and clarified confidentiality terms; the RFP was open with proposals due May 22.
Commissioners asked about applying battery systems to commercial/mixed-use properties, financing options, resident trust in proposed housing models and next steps. Staff described potential interest in limited-equity housing co-op models and highlighted coordination with the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development and other city departments.
Executive Officer Jeremy Pollock said Arup — contracted as LAFCO’s consultant — is nearing completion of phase 1 of the BESS study, which focuses on one- and two-unit residential buildings and examines permitting and fire-safety issues; staff have received feedback from the Department of Building Inspection and the fire marshal and have extended the schedule to allow fuller review. Phase 2 will examine larger multiunit and commercial buildings, workforce development and virtual-power-plant operations.
An update on the proposed San Francisco Green Bank finance study said staff are coordinating with SFPUC and the reinvestment working group to explore how the city could access Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) awards administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — including the National Clean Investment Fund and the Clean Communities Investment Accelerator — to capitalize a municipal green bank and design loan products for affordable housing, small businesses and ecological sustainability.
On Midtown Park Apartments, staff reported continued resident engagement and a property-conditions assessment; the consultant aims to complete the Midtown Park study in early 2025. LAFCO has reissued its municipal housing agency feasibility RFP with a not-to-exceed $200,000 cap, removed an earlier symposium requirement, and clarified confidentiality terms; the RFP was open with proposals due May 22.
Commissioners asked about applying battery systems to commercial/mixed-use properties, financing options, resident trust in proposed housing models and next steps. Staff described potential interest in limited-equity housing co-op models and highlighted coordination with the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development and other city departments.
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