Committee advances Hunters View encroachment permit, landmark moves and residential-care ordinance

The Land Use & Transportation Committee met remotely on Sept. 13 and handled a cluster of land-use items before a longer hearing on separate enforcement issues. The committee took action on four agenda items and set follow-up steps.

Hunters View encroachment permit: The committee voted to recommend a master major encroachment permit that assigns maintenance responsibility for phase-1 street and park encroachments (sidewalks, irrigation, one ADA-compliant passenger loading ramp, curb and a retaining wall) to the Hunters View Community Association. The ordinance includes a waiver of the annual public right-of-way occupancy assessment fee; the item will be returned to the full Board on Sept. 21.

Diego Rivera fresco (800 Chestnut Street): Supervisor Aaron Peskin introduced an ordinance to landmark Diego Rivera’s 1931 fresco at the San Francisco Art Institute. Planning staff reported the Historic Preservation Commission’s unanimous recommendation and a period of significance stretching from 1931 to 1974. The Art Institute’s counsel, calling in for the item, said the school supports designation but sought flexibility to create a direct street entry and programming opportunities. Supervisor Peskin asked for a one-week continuance to allow the City Attorney and SFAI counsel to negotiate language; the committee granted the continuance.

Ingleside Terraces Sundial and Park: The committee considered an Article 10 historic-landmark nomination for the Ingleside Terraces sundial and surrounding park. Chair Melgar recused herself because of proximity to her residence; the Historic Preservation Commission had unanimously recommended designation. Planning staff Frances McMillan outlined significance tied to early-20th‑century residence-park development and ornamental landscape features. The committee voted to forward the designation with a positive recommendation.

Residential-care ordinance: The committee advanced an ordinance (sponsored by Supervisor Mandelmann’s office) that would codify a conditional-use requirement for the removal (change of use or demolition) of existing residential care facilities and would remove the conditional-use requirement for constructing or expanding new residential care facilities of more than seven beds in most residential zoning districts, to make it easier to open or expand such beds. Planning and the Human Services Agency presented supporting data indicating a steady net decline in small, lower-cost board-and-care beds since 2012; HSA reported a 9% decline in assisted-living beds and a sharper decline in small adult-residential facilities. Committee members emphasized that zoning is only one tool to preserve and expand these beds and asked staff to pursue non–land-use solutions as well.

What happens next: All four items were forwarded for further action: Hunters View and the residential-care ordinance to the full Board, the Diego Rivera item continued for one week to allow negotiation between the Art Institute and the city, and the Ingleside landmark sent to the Board with a positive recommendation. Planning staff and department sponsors will provide fiscal and operational follow-ups as needed.

Quotes from the hearing include Jason Lehi (HOPE SF policy director), Planning and HSA staff and supervisors who stressed both the neighborhood benefits of Hunters View and the urgency of maintaining and expanding residential-care beds.