Committee holds and amends broad housing‑production ordinance, continues it for further review

A wide-ranging planning‑code package intended to encourage housing production drew extended discussion and public comment at the Dec. 11 committee meeting and was continued to Jan. 22, 2024, for further work.

Clerk John Carroll summarized the ordinance’s multiple elements: exemptions from notice and review procedures and conditional‑use requirements in areas outside priority‑equity geographies; changes to rear‑yard/front‑setback/minimum‑lot‑size and residential open‑space rules in some districts; ground‑floor use changes; expanded eligibility for certain housing programs and density exceptions; exemptions from some development fees for certain affordable projects; and a delegation to the planning director for state density‑bonus approvals. Planning staff and President Aaron Peskin noted that a number of amendments circulated after the previous week appear to be substantive and thus require referral and more time. Peskin said some newly circulated amendments were judged by the city attorney to be substantive and could not be voted on that day.

Peter Papadopoulos of the Mission Economic Development Agency cautioned that state Housing and Community Development timelines and certain provisions could conflict with the city’s Housing Element and that the Mission could see displacement of immigrant small businesses and mural destruction if not aligned with local protections. Committee members voted to amend the file (retain prior week’s changes, incorporate select planning‑staff language and strip other sections) and continue the item to Jan. 22 to allow time for review and clearer packet materials.