Committee clears Phase 1 infrastructure acceptance and encroachment permit for Pier 70

The Land Use and Transportation Committee voted March 18 to forward to the Board of Supervisors an ordinance and a companion resolution accepting public infrastructure associated with Pier 70 Phase 1 and authorizing interdepartmental encroachment arrangements.

Cathal Hennessy of the Department of Public Works told the committee the Phase 1 area includes newly installed streets, sidewalks, curbs, utilities and street lights. He said the 35-acre Pier 70 site has the capacity, at full completion, for up to 3,000 residential units and mixed commercial and light-industrial uses.

Hennessy explained the ordinance would accept completed improvements for city maintenance and liability, establish official street widths and grades, and delegate a limited sidewalk segment (approximately 1 foot) to accommodate a future foundation for Building E2 while maintaining ADA compliance for remaining sidewalks. He also described elements covered by the master encroachment permit — specialized pavers, cobblestones, benches, bike racks and a historic building frame — and said FC Pier 70 has installed telecommunications conduits that remain in the developer’s ownership pending sale; "upon sale of these conduits, this master encroachment permit will terminate," he said.

A question about the seawall clarified that seawall improvements are not part of today's acceptance and will be accepted by the Port of San Francisco when the adjacent park is constructed and accepted. With no public speakers for the items, Chair Melgar moved to send both items to the Board with the committee's recommendation; the motion passed on a 3-0 vote.

The items will appear on the Board agenda for final action. The committee's action accepts improvements into the city's maintenance responsibility subject to the limitations and delegations described in the ordinance and resolution.