Committee backs "Love Our Neighborhoods" code changes to simplify neighborhood projects, asks DPW to finalize regulations

The Land Use & Transportation Committee voted to recommend Public Works' proposed ordinance — known as "Love Our Neighborhoods" — to the full Board as a committee report on Dec. 4, 2023.

Deputy Director Beth Rubinstein (Public Works) said the ordinance is intended to streamline and clarify approval for community-driven projects (sidewalk planters, benches, little libraries, commemorative plaques) in the public right-of-way, reduce fees for minor encroachment permits, and set clearer standards for permit revocation and restoration. Rubinstein said the department is drafting implementing regulations that will specify dimensions, ADA-compliant requirements for planters and other installations, inspection protocols, and enforcement. She noted the department had received budgeted funding for additional inspectors during earlier budget discussions tied to the legislation.

Public comment reflected both support for the overall approach and concerns. Supporters described the value of enabling neighbors to care for and beautify public spaces. Several Mission-area speakers urged the committee to limit tier 1 planters or exclude planters from private control, citing instances in which private planters were used to restrict public access and to displace or deter unhoused people; commenters asked for guardrails (for example, limits on the percent of a block that a single owner could control).

Deputy City Attorney Anne Pearson said most permit records are public records (subject to redaction of personal data), but there is no current legal mandate requiring online searchable publication of tier 1 permit registrations; Rubinstein said DPW will work with the City Attorney on possible regulatory approaches.

The committee's vote sends the ordinance to the Board with a positive recommendation and requests DPW to proceed with transparent, collaborative rulemaking and a community feedback process for the implementing regulations.