Unfamiliar Terrain

The 2023 California Legislative Session, which closed on September 14, was dominated yet again by efforts to address the state’s continued housing crisis. For the last several years, we have written about many bills enacted with the goal of increasing housing production. Although these efforts have helped move the state toward its housing goals, the […]

A roundup of news and multimedia from the Unfamiliar Terrain team: San Francisco These three new blocks of housing are among S.F.’s best. They’re for the formerly homeless (S.F. Chronicle): Exploring three recently completed complexes in San Francisco, and how they provide both shelter and services to improve lives. More than a dozen small businesses […]

On September 5, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors finally passed on second reading two pieces of legislation, together referred to as the “Housing Fee Reform Plan.” The Plan, previously discussed on July 7, July 21, and July 31, plays a key role in implementing Mayor Breed’s “Housing For All” Executive Directive, reducing inclusionary housing […]

A roundup of news and multimedia from the Unfamiliar Terrain team: San Francisco San Francisco isn’t doomed. These 6 places show why (S.F. Chronicle): The City is not without its current challenges but, for most of its 49 square miles, its stories are more complex. Here are six vignettes that hint at the facets of this […]

On July 25, the Board of Supervisors passed on first reading the “Housing Fee Reform Plan” legislation (see previous posts here and here). The Board is expected to hold a second reading and finally pass the legislation in September after returning from summer recess. The legislation consists of two ordinances. To help jumpstart housing production […]

The “Housing Fee Reform Plan” legislation, which we reported on previously, is heading back to the Board of Supervisors next week. On Monday, July 24, the Board’s Land Use and Transportation Committee will consider the two ordinances, which cover inclusionary housing changes and impact fee reform. Committee Chair Melgar has deemed the ordinances urgent and […]

A roundup of news and multimedia from the Unfamiliar Terrain team: San Francisco National Insight on Downtown San Francisco Recovery (Urban Land Institute): San Francisco can create a more commercially vibrant and socially inclusive downtown that attracts a diverse range of industries and employers, advances housing attainability, and promotes stronger leadership. Why SF’s ‘doom loop’ […]

In furtherance of Mayor London Breed’s “Housing For All” Executive Order issued in February (see earlier post here) and San Francisco’s daunting directive to produce 82,000 new housing units over the next 8 years (see earlier posts here and here), at the June 27, 2023, Board of Supervisors hearing, Mayor Breed and Board President Peskin introduced two […]

At the June 13, 2023 Board of Supervisors hearing, the “Commercial to Residential Adaptive Reuse and Downtown Economic Revitalization” legislation was introduced. The legislation would amend various Planning Code sections to facilitate office to residential conversions for qualifying “Adaptive Reuse Projects.” (See earlier post here.) The Board of Supervisors will subsequently consider the companion “Development […]

A roundup of news and multimedia from the Unfamiliar Terrain team: San Francisco The Luxury Shopping Oasis Emerging in San Francisco’s Struggling Downtown (Wall Street Journal): Although local foot traffic may be down, high-end stores are filled with luxury-shopping tourists. Here’s Mayor Breed’s new plan to fill vacant storefronts near Union Square (San Francisco Chronicle): […]

In response to Mayor London Breed’s recent Executive Directive, titled “Housing For All,” on May 4, 2023, the San Francisco Planning Commission voted to recommend that the Board of Supervisors approve a package of Planning and Building Code amendments intended to spur reinvestment in the City’s commercial core. (See earlier post regarding the Mayor’s Executive […]

On April 28, 2023, the Planning Commission received an informational presentation from Planning Department staff regarding its work to implement the City’s recently adopted Housing Element Update. (See earlier posts regarding the City’s Housing Element here and here.) As part of its Housing Element implementation, the Planning Department is working on legislation that would rezone […]