A roundup of news and multimedia from the Unfamiliar Terrain team:
San Francisco
Proposed waterfront tower could test California’s power to override S.F. height restrictions (SF Chronicle): A proposed waterfront tower project shows how new high-rise development proposals are reshaping debates over design, density, and growth along San Francisco’s northeastern waterfront.
The Marina Safeway may be SF NIMBYs’ last stand (SF Standard): A controversial proposal to redevelop the Marina Safeway site into a high-rise housing complex has become a focal point for debates about neighborhood opposition and the growing influence of California’s pro-housing state laws.
Scaled-back Potrero Yard plan clears way for 100 affordable homes in S.F. (SF Chronicle): SFMTA has scaled back the redevelopment plan (reduced from 465 to 100 units) for the Potrero Yard bus facility, with a nonprofit developer building the new affordable housing on the Bryant Street side of the site, rather than on top of the bus yard facility as originally planned.
Office-to-housing conversion planned for historic downtown S.F. building (SF Business Times): Local conversions of office buildings to housing have been much-discussed but rarely proposed; now a proposal 901 Market Street will test whether regulatory changes will help these projects pencil.
S.F. leaders propose cutting city’s transfer tax to spur stalled housing projects (SF Chronicle): A proposal by San Francisco leaders to reduce the city’s real estate transfer tax seeks to revive stalled housing projects and catalyze new residential development.
Here’s how much it costs to buy S.F.’s Transamerica Pyramid (SF Chronicle): Transamerica is under contract to sell for approximately $700 million, likely at a loss for its current owners after a costly renovation, but the deal suggests renewed global investor interest in San Francisco’s highest-end office properties despite the city’s relatively weak broader office market.
Bay Area
The Napa town where it’s easier to win a Michelin star than build an apartment (SF Standard): The debate over the proposed Yountville Commons workforce housing project intensified after celebrity chef Thomas Keller publicly criticized the town’s plans, arguing local workers need larger units and more parking.
California Forever Eyes New Trump Initiative to Bring Its Shipbuilding Plans to Life (KQED): California Forever proposes to use a recent “Maritime Prosperity Zone” initiative to secure federal support and incentives for a regional shipbuilding revival in the California Delta, tied to its broader Solano County development plans.
Chevron’s HQ left California. A developer now plans to add thousands more homes in its place (SF Chronicle): Sunset Development proposes to turn Chevron’s former San Ramon headquarters and surrounding office park into a mixed-use community with thousands of new homes, retail, and other amenities, reflecting a broader shift away from suburban office campuses in the remote-work era.
Concord rezoning paves the way for 1,000 homes in single-family neighborhoods (SF Business Times): The East Bay city completed rezoning to implement its housing element, avoiding potential “builder’s remedy” projects and creating higher-density opportunities in a traditionally low-density community.
California and Beyond
Senate passes bipartisan housing bill targeting large investors and easing regulations (NPR): The largest federal housing bill in decades has passed the U.S. Senate on an 89-10 vote, focusing on spurring supply and limiting institutional owners’ ability to purchase single-family homes.
L.A. council puts off yet another attempt to rewrite the city’s ‘mansion tax’ (LA Times): A Los Angeles City Council vote to place revisions to the city’s controversial “mansion tax” (Measure ULA) before voters was delayed after officials opted to send the proposal back for further review amid debate over whether the tax is hindering housing development or funding critical homelessness programs.
