Rules Committee forwards ordinance to fix Ocean View library site on city-owned parcel

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors Rules Committee voted unanimously Tuesday to send to the full Board a committee report endorsing an ordinance that would require the replacement Ocean View branch library to be sited on city-owned Parcel D at 100 Orizaba, subject to environmental review and other applicable laws.

Supervisor Safai, the ordinance’s lead sponsor, told the committee the parcel was selected after five years of community engagement and a 2019 feasibility study that evaluated five Brotherhood Way sites. "In a blizzard of misinformation and half truths," Safai said, criticizing recent statements from the mayor that she said suggested there was no budget and safety concerns; Safai argued the community and city departments had already done the work to advance the Brotherhood Way site and that funding exists to move forward. Safai cited earlier funding actions — a $9,000,000 renovation allocation in 2018, a 2020 project estimate of $47,000,000 with an identified $12,500,000 gap, and about $35,000,000 in the library preservation fund — as part of the project history.

Andy Sohn and Julia Lowey of San Francisco Public Works summarized the site-selection process, saying Parcel D (Option D) scored highest on the project criteria because it is city-owned, closer to Randolph Street, less steep and near transit. Public Works acknowledged traffic and pedestrian-safety concerns raised during the study and said the SFMTA and the Transportation Authority are working on short- and long-term safety improvements that could be implemented independently of the land-use decision.

More than a dozen members of the public spoke during the item. Supporters, including Liz Rodriguez of Catholic Charities and Renard Monroe of Youth First, said the existing Ocean View branch is overcrowded and urged construction of a larger facility to serve seniors, youth programs and a growing neighborhood. "We shouldn't have to take shifts to go to a library to have access and opportunity for our children to learn and grow," said Monroe.

Opponents and cautious residents voiced concerns about pedestrian safety, loss of Green Belt open space, slope and geotechnical conditions and the proximity to a high-speed thoroughfare. David Osgood called the Brotherhood Way location "a ridiculous site" and warned that the site would require multiple crosswalks and could be an "attractive nuisance." Several speakers suggested alternatives closer to the M line or on Randolph Street.

Supervisor Walton said libraries play a key role in closing the digital divide and serving underserved communities and expressed support for advancing the project given the committed resources and community input. Supervisor Safai moved to forward the ordinance as a committee report with a positive recommendation. A roll-call vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously; the clerk recorded affirmative votes from Vice Chair Walton, Supervisor Safai and Chair Supervisor Hillary Ronan.

The committee’s action sends the ordinance to the Board of Supervisors for consideration on the Feb. 6 agenda. The ordinance language preserves required environmental review and other legal approvals; it also bars use of city funds to explore alternate sites except as mandated by environmental review or other legal requirements. If the Board adopts the ordinance, subsequent steps would include any environmental review, follow-up coordination with SFMTA/Transportation Authority on required traffic mitigation, and the standard design and procurement processes for a municipal construction project.