Committee advances ordinance allowing verified tenant signatures on planning appeals

The Land Use and Transportation Committee voted Monday to forward an ordinance that allows verified tenants’ signatures to count toward the threshold required to file an appeal of a conditional use authorization.

Chair Supervisor Mierna Melgaard said the change is intended to “extend basic fairness to tenants” by recognizing their stake in planning decisions. The ordinance amends Planning Code section 308.1, clarifying timelines and allowing one verified tenant signature to be counted for each residential or commercial rental unit, including unauthorized units recognized under the Rent Ordinance.

Deputy City Attorney Anne Pearson and clerk staff explained several procedural clarifications adopted as amendments — including extending a planning‑transmission deadline from 10 to 20 days to reflect current practice and striking language to show an expanded 45‑day scheduling window for hearings. Clerk Alyssa Samara explained the ten‑day delay is tied to the planning commission's posting of minutes; the change to 20 days accommodates department processing time.

Tenant advocates called in to express support. Sasha Gala described her experience leading a CUA appeal and said the prior rule made it “nearly impossible” for tenants to gather requisite signatures; Anastasia Yovanopoulos of the San Francisco Tenants Union said the reform aligns with the city’s housing equity goals.

The committee adopted the clarifying amendments as read into the record and forwarded the ordinance to the full Board with a positive recommendation.