If you tend to skip this part of the newsletter, I offer a brief summary of this month's message:  On Tuesday, we are considering whether to endorse Forest City's ballot initiative to increase the height limit for Pier 70 from 40 feet to 90 feet.  Our endorsement decision carries more weight than ever.  Please read the proposed ballot measure, and see you on Tuesday.  Now, here are the details.   

On June 3, Proposition B, the Waterfront Height Limit Right to Vote Act, passed with broad support from across the City.  The Boosters endorsed Prop. B, not because it would squelch development on Port of San Francisco-held property along the waterfront, but because it would provide incentives for developers to better partner with the neighborhoods to design good developments.  Because any development exceeding existing Port height limits would require the approval of a majority of San Francisco voters, the endorsement of affected neighborhoods, whether for or against the project, would provide a powerful signal to the rest of the City's residents on how to vote. 

On November 4, 2014, Proposition B will have its first test case, with the redevelopment of Pier 70.  Forest City, the developer selected by the Port for the waterfront parcel of the Pier 70 Area, has prepared a ballot measure that would increase the zoned height of their portion of Pier 70 from 40 feet to 90 feet.  The ballot initiative also describes certain policy statements for the development, including that nine acres of the area be reserved for parks and recreation space; that 30% of the housing units be reserved as below market-rate homes; and that the deteriorating historical structures be restored and reused.  Forest City's ballot initiative also makes clear that only it only changes the zoned height for the project; all other aspects of the planning process remains unchanged. 

Until recently, the Boosters have been reluctant to endorse ballot measures.  We also generally abstain from endorsing specific projects.  The increase in development in and around our neighborhoods, coupled with the paucity of City resources to mitigate the addition of so many new neighbors, has caused us to take more direct stands on the issues affecting our neighborhood.  Our endorsement of June's Prop. B, at least in my mind, was made with the understanding that, if it passed, organizations like the Boosters would have increased responsibility for vetting waterfront development for the rest of the City.  We may not have thought we would be considering endorsements a mere three weeks after Election Day, but here we are.

I ask that you take the time to review the language of the ballot measure prior to the meeting. Representatives from Forest City will present their project, and take our questions regarding their plan and the proposed height increase.  We'll then decide what message we want to give to or fellow San Franciscans on the development of the Central Waterfront.

See you on Tuesday,

A wonderful crowd of Boosters and community members capped off their extended Memorial Day weekend by attending the Boosters Annual Dinner on May 27.  Our indefatigable City Attorney Dennis Herrera quickly dispatched with the formal part of the meeting by swearing in the 2014-2015 Executive Committee.  Our hosts at UCSF provided a wonderful meal, complimented nicely with wines provided by the Wine House.

As dessert was served, the Executive Committee gave the following awards:

Special thanks go to Michele Davis at UCSF, City Attorney Herrera, the Wine House, the gracious donors of our door prizes, the rest of the Executive Committee, all of our attendees, and to everyone who, year after year, makes the Annual Dinner a terrific event.

Business Meeting
As we again have a packed agenda for the month, we will spend a bare minimum on Boosters business in June.

Pier 70 Height Limits, Redevelopment and Endorsement Vote
We lead off with our main event - the ballot measure to increase the height limit at Pier 70 from 40 feet to 90 feet. 
  


Jack Sylvan of Forest City and his colleagues will present their project and ballot measure, and to ask for our endorsement. 

The Development of the Mission Bay Convalescent Hospital
The Mission Bay Convalescent Hospital at 331 Pennsylvania was was constructed by the Bethlehem Steel Company in 1916 and first served as the Union Iron Works Hospital.  We will hear plans to redevelop 43-bed hospital into nine units of housing.  The plans can be seen here. 



Jeff Burris, of Studio 12 Architecture, will present the plans and take our suggestions.  
 
Revised Plans for 1301 16th Street
In March, we heard from the team seeking to develop the one-story, 38,600 sq ft warehouse built in 1971 currently occupies the half-block between Wisconsin and Carolina at 1301 16th Street.  The Boosters provided ample feedback on DwellWell Group's plan to build a seven-story, 190,000 gross square foot residential building of approximately 68’ in height.



Will Mollard of DwellWell Group will present a revised design.