San Francisco Government SmartTranscripts:

[Supervisor Chyanne Chen (Vice Chair; Acting Chair)]: CHAIRMAN Good afternoon. This meeting will come to order. Welcome to the 03/16/2026, regular meeting of the land use and transportation committee of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. I'm Supervisor Chyanne Chen, Vice Chair of the committee, and I will be chairing the meeting today in Chair Melgar's absence. We are joined today by Supervisor Bilal Mahmood and Supervisor Matt Dorsey. The committee clerk today is John Carroll. I would also like to acknowledge, as I've got TV, Janet Eganloff at for staffing this meeting. Mr. Clerk, do we have any announcements?

[John Carroll (Committee Clerk)]: Thank you so much, madam vice chair. Please ensure to silence your cell phones and other electronic devices you've brought with you into the chamber today. If you have any documents to be included as part of any of today's files, you can submit them directly to me. Public comment will be taken on each item on today's agenda. When your item of interest comes up and public comment is called for that matter, please line up to speak along your right hand side of this room. Alternatively, you may submit public comments in writing in either of the following ways. You may send your written comments to me at j o h n me. Johnperiodcarroll@sfgov.org. Or you may send your written comments via US Postal Service to our office in City Hall. The address is 1 Doctor Carlton B Goodlett Place Room 244 San Francisco, California 94102. If If you submit public comment in writing, I will forward your comment to the members of this committee and also include your comments on within the official file on which you are commenting. Items acted upon today are expected to appear on the Board of Supervisors' agenda of 03/24/2026, unless otherwise stated.

[Supervisor Chyanne Chen (Vice Chair; Acting Chair)]: Thank you Mr. Clerk and I would like to make a motion to excuse supervisor Melgar from this meeting please call the roll.

[John Carroll (Committee Clerk)]: On a motion offered by vice chair Chen that supervisor Melgar be excused from the meeting today member Dorsey. Dorsey, aye. Member Mahmood? Mahmood, aye. Vice chair, Chen?

[Supervisor Chyanne Chen (Vice Chair; Acting Chair)]: Aye. Chen, aye. Madam chair, there are no objections.

[Supervisor Chyanne Chen (Vice Chair; Acting Chair)]: Thank you. The motion passes. Mister mister clerk, please call item number one.

[John Carroll (Committee Clerk)]: Agenda item number one is a resolution adding the commemorative street name Ed Decker Way on Oak between Van Ness and Franklin in recognition of Ed Decker's retirement from the new conservancy new conservatory theater center, and in celebration of his founding of the organization forty five years ago.

[Supervisor Chyanne Chen (Vice Chair; Acting Chair)]: Thank you. We now have supervisor, our board chair, our board president, Mendelman, is here, which is also the sponsor for this item. Welcome.

[Supervisor Rafael Mandelman (Board President)]: Thank you, Vice Chair Chen. Good afternoon, Supervisors Mahmood and Dorsey. The item before you is a resolution to add the commemorative street name Ed Decker Way to the signage for the block of Oak Street between Van Ness And Franklin. Ed Decker is the founder of the New Conservatory Theater Center and served as its artistic director for forty five years, distinguishing himself as a trailblazer in the world of LGBTQ plus theater and progressive theater education. During his tenure, Ed built the theater at the corner of Venice And Oak into one of San Francisco's most prized cultural institutions. Under his direction, the theater produced more than 50 world premieres by established and emerging queer playwrights, employed thousands of Bay Area theater professionals and teaching artists, and launched the careers of nationally recognized theater artists. As a theater leader, activist and arts educator since 1974, Ed has worked with a broad swath of artisans, political leaders, audiences, community organizers, local businesses and volunteers. In 1986, he created the Landmark Youth Aware Touring Educational Theater Program to educate and raise awareness among young audiences about the impact of HIV AIDS, an effort that reached more than 800,000 students in the Bay Area and Northern California. He also set up an after school drama program that offered scholarships and low cost fees ensuring that any child could participate regardless of ability to pay. Ed's leadership has earned him numerous awards and recognition including KQED's Local Hero Award, the Stop AIDS Project Chuck Fritzschee Award, an Endeavor Foundation Award, and two San Francisco Chamber of Commerce Arts Excellence Awards. Mr. Decker, Ed, is also a nationally recognized playwright. He stepped down as artistic director in January, passing leadership on to the now artistic director, Ben Randall, and the other staff he mentored throughout his extraordinary tenure. I want to thank Barbara Hodgen, the executive director of the New Conservatory Theater Center for championing this commemorative street renaming. And I want to thank Supervisor Dorsey for his co sponsorship. I also want to thank Grace Huang in my office for her work on the project. And colleagues, I imagine this will not be controversial. So I'm gonna to thank you in advance for your support in forwarding this to the full board with positive recommendation.

[Supervisor Chyanne Chen (Vice Chair; Acting Chair)]: Thank you, President Mendelman. I am always so humble and commemorative street names, destinations come before us. Our city is filled with so many everyday heroes and heroine, and I love to see them receive the recognition they deserve. It is a blessing to hear about Ed Decker, someone who has made such significant contribution to the artistic and cultural fabric of San Francisco. Mr. Clerk, would you also add me as a cosponsor to this legislation? Thank you. I don't see my colleagues have any comments or questions. Mr. Clerk, there, let's go to public comment.

[John Carroll (Committee Clerk)]: Thank you, Madam Vice Chair. If you have public comment for agenda item number one, come forward to the lectern at this time.

[Barbara Hodgen (Executive Director, New Conservatory Theater Center)]: Good afternoon. I'm Barbara Hodgen. I'm the executive director of New Conservatory Theater. The president has already said pretty much everything I'm going to say, but we're theater people, so we're going to grab the mic whenever we can. We, as mentioned already, New Conservatory Theater Center respectfully requests that we commemorate Ed Decker and his forty five years of founder and artistic director of NCTC by designating the block of Oak Street as Ed Decker Way. As I hope you all know, NCTC is the premier queer and allied theater in San Francisco. Our mission is to champion innovative, high quality productions and educational theater experiences for youth, artists, and the queer and allied communities to affect personal and societal growth, enlightenment, and change. We have called our little theater down at 25 Van Ness Avenue home since 1984. I hope many of you have had a chance to come see a show or two in what has been designated the most glamorous basement in San Francisco. Ed's visionary leadership has shaped NCTC into a nationally recognized home for queer theater, cultivating empathy and understanding through art that affirms and celebrates queer lives and progressive arts education that is joyful, inspiring, and inclusive. Ed's work has helped shape the oh, cultural am I done?

[John Carroll (Committee Clerk)]: You have thirty seconds.

[Barbara Hodgen (Executive Director, New Conservatory Theater Center)]: Okay, sorry. Ed's work has helped shape the cultural landscape of San Francisco, and through the ephemeral medium of theater, he has made permanent significant improvements to the city's social fabric. The outpouring of joy and congratulations when the news of this designation hit the Bay Area reporter was noticeable. So on May 19, we will proudly and happily be celebrating our 40 birthday. We yes, we're older than Diet Coke, and we hope to unveil the new street sign then. Thank

[John Carroll (Committee Clerk)]: you Thank very you your comments. Do we have anyone else who has public comment for agenda item number one? Madam Vice Chair.

[Supervisor Chyanne Chen (Vice Chair; Acting Chair)]: Okay, seeing no other speakers, public comment is now closed. Colliot, I would like to make a motion to send this item out of committee to the full board with positive recommendation. Mr. Clerk, please call the roll.

[John Carroll (Committee Clerk)]: On the motion offered by the vice chair that this resolution be recommended to the board of supervisors, member Mahmood Mahmood aye, member Dorsey Dorsey aye, vice chair Chen?

[Supervisor Chyanne Chen (Vice Chair; Acting Chair)]: Aye.

[John Carroll (Committee Clerk)]: Chen aye. Madam vice chair, there are three ayes.

[Supervisor Chyanne Chen (Vice Chair; Acting Chair)]: Thank you. The motion passes. Mister clerk please call item number two.

[John Carroll (Committee Clerk)]: Agenda item number two is a resolution adding the commemorative street name Helen Wakazoo Way to Julian Avenue in recognition of Helen Wakazoo's legacy as the founder of friendship house and her contributions to the Native American community in the city and county.

[Supervisor Chyanne Chen (Vice Chair; Acting Chair)]: Thank you. I understand the sponsor, Supervisor Felder, has additional work to do on this legislation and would like to continue this item to the call of the chair. Mister clerk, let's go to public comment on this item.

[John Carroll (Committee Clerk)]: Land Houston transportation will now hear public comment related to agenda item number two. If you have public comment for this item, please come forward to the lectern at this time. Looks like we may have one speaker. Do we have any speakers for this item? Okay. Please come forward. Hello? Yeah. You may begin.

[Dr. Paul Masadi (Director of Research and Evaluation, Native American Health Center)]: Thank thank

[John Carroll (Committee Clerk)]: you for the

[Dr. Paul Masadi (Director of Research and Evaluation, Native American Health Center)]: Sorry.

[John Carroll (Committee Clerk)]: Either mic will work. They're both on.

[Dr. Paul Masadi (Director of Research and Evaluation, Native American Health Center)]: My name is Doctor. Paul Masadi. I'm the director of research at the Native American Health Center. I'm a health services and

[John Carroll (Committee Clerk)]: But policy do pull the mic up to your face. There we are.

[Dr. Paul Masadi (Director of Research and Evaluation, Native American Health Center)]: My name is doctor Paul Masadi. I'm the director of research and evaluation at the Native American Health Center. I'm also the principal investigator of what we call the Culturist Prevention Research Program, which has the objective of showing how native culture produces good physical, mental, and community health. That was started at Friendship House and Helen Wakasew was there. And we have empirical evidence that shows that all of this works and the things they do at Friendship House work. In the California Department of Public Health, under their Cultures Prevention website, three of the publications derive from work with Friendship House and Native American Health Center. So I support this initiative. Thank you.

[John Carroll (Committee Clerk)]: Thank you so much for your comments. Do we have anyone else who has public comment for agenda item number two? Madam Westchester.

[Supervisor Chyanne Chen (Vice Chair; Acting Chair)]: Seeing no other speakers, public comment is now closed. I would like to make a motion to continue this item to the call of the chair. Mr. Clerk please call the roll.

[John Carroll (Committee Clerk)]: On the motion to continue to the call of the chair member Mahmood Mahmood I chair member Dorsey. Dorsey aye vice chair Chen

[Supervisor Chyanne Chen (Vice Chair; Acting Chair)]: aye

[John Carroll (Committee Clerk)]: Chen aye madam vice chair there are three ayes

[Supervisor Chyanne Chen (Vice Chair; Acting Chair)]: the motion passes mr clerk please call item number three

[John Carroll (Committee Clerk)]: agenda item number three is an ordinance readopting the former planning code section and zoning map designations creating the Mission And 9th Street special Use District at 1270 Mission located in the area generally bounded by Mission Street to the South, Lasky Street to

[Supervisor Chyanne Chen (Vice Chair; Acting Chair)]: the East.

[John Carroll (Committee Clerk)]: Excuse me, assessor's parcel block number 3701, lot numbers 222324 on the West, and assessor's parcel block number 3701, Lot Number 66 on the North. Changing the height limit on assessors parcel block number 3701, lot numbers 20 And 21, for projects that comply with the requirements of the SUD from one twenty x to 200 x, affirming the planning department's secret determination, making findings of consistency with the general plan in the eight priority policies of planning code section one zero one point one, and findings of public convenience necessity and welfare under planning code section three zero two. By special arrangement this ordinance is on our agenda today as a potential committee report and it may be sent for consideration by the board of supervisors tomorrow 03/17/2026

[Supervisor Chyanne Chen (Vice Chair; Acting Chair)]: thank you The sponsor, it's here. Supervisor Dorsey, would you like to make opening remarks?

[Supervisor Matt Dorsey]: I'd like to, if that's Okay. I want to say, first, thank you, Chair Chen. Thanks as well to Supervisor Mahmood for inviting me as a substitute to your committee today. I really am excited to bring this item forward which will help facilitate production of desperately needed affordable housing in District 6. This item renews and makes some changes to an expired special use district or SUD from 2017 that supports the production of a 100% affordable housing project intending to use state low income housing tax credits. This site presents an incredible opportunity to build permanently affordable housing near downtown on a transit rich corridor, close to jobs and opportunities. The addition of affordable housing to this corridor helps make progress on our housing production goals and our shared vision for a more inclusive and affordable city. I want to thank the planning department staff and deputy city attorney Audrey Pearson for their diligent work on this legislation. I will add, just because they're my former colleagues, everybody at the city attorney's office who supports this work. Vice Chair Chen, may I invite, if it's Okay, the planning department to come up and give the commission's report? And we are joined today by Veronica Flores.

[Veronica Flores (San Francisco Planning Department)]: You, Supervisor.

[Supervisor Matt Dorsey]: Thank you much. Through the chair, the floor is This

[Veronica Flores (San Francisco Planning Department)]: will be very brief. The Planning Commission heard this item on February 26 and voted unanimously to adopt the ordinance.

[Supervisor Matt Dorsey]: I don't have any further remarks. Think after public comment I will explain the basis for this going out as a committee report. I'll hand it back to Chair Chen.

[Supervisor Chyanne Chen (Vice Chair; Acting Chair)]: Thank you, Supervisor Dorsey. I'm also very pleased to see a 100% affordable project. It's the preferred alternative for the project sponsor, and I'm supportive of this legislation to amend the special use district to make that the project is possible and also Mr. Clett would you also add me as a cosponsor to this legislation?

[John Carroll (Committee Clerk)]: Noted.

[Supervisor Chyanne Chen (Vice Chair; Acting Chair)]: And then, let's open for public comment.

[John Carroll (Committee Clerk)]: Thank you Madam Vice Chair, land use and transportation will now hear public comment related to agenda item number three Mission and 9th Street Special Use District if you have public comment for this item please come forward to the lectern at this time and Madam vice chair it appears we have no speakers.

[Supervisor Chyanne Chen (Vice Chair; Acting Chair)]: Seeing no other speaker public comment is now closed. Supervisor Dorsey.

[Supervisor Matt Dorsey]: Thank you, Chair Chen. So I just wanted to explain the rationale for this being a committee report, which means it goes out to tomorrow's board meeting, is that this is a time sensitive item. This project actually needs to demonstrate that it's code compliant in time for a May funding application. So it has been agendized as a committee report. I want to thank Chair Melgar as well as Vice Chair and today's acting Chair Chen for their cooperation on the timing for this. I think we're all in agreement. This is important for 100% affordable housing. So at this time, I would like to make a motion to send this item to the full board as a committee report with our positive recommendation.

[Supervisor Chyanne Chen (Vice Chair; Acting Chair)]: Mr. Kollett please call the roll.

[John Carroll (Committee Clerk)]: On the motion offered by member dorsey that this ordinance be recommended to the board of supervisors as a committee report vice chair excuse me member mahmood. Mahmood aye member Dorsey Dorsey aye vice chair Chen aye Chen aye madam vice chair there are three ayes

[Supervisor Chyanne Chen (Vice Chair; Acting Chair)]: the motion passes mr clerk please call item number

[John Carroll (Committee Clerk)]: four Agenda item number four is an ordinance amending the public works code to enhance and modify the sidewalk flower stand permit program by among other things first updating and clarifying the applicable fees, second authorizing public works to consult with the office of small business to identify and evaluate eligible permit applicants. Third, updating permit application requirements. Fourth, supplementing permit conditions and restrictions. Fifth, establishing minimum operating hours of thirty five hours per week. Sixth, requiring permittees to be present at sidewalk flower stands for at least 50% of the applicable hours of operation, and to dedicate a minimum of 75% of the sidewalk flower stand for the sale or storage of certain eligible flowers and plants. Seventh, permitting the leasing or subleasing of sidewalk flower stands, and eighth, prohibiting the sale, assignment, inheritance, or transfer of flower stand permits. The ordinance amends the police code to authorize public works to impose, assess, and collect administrative penalties, and it also affirms the planning department's CEQA determination. Like the previous item, this ordinance is on our agenda as a potential committee report and may be sent for consideration by the board tomorrow on the committee port agenda. That's for the 03/17/2026 meeting.

[Supervisor Chyanne Chen (Vice Chair; Acting Chair)]: Great. Supervisor Dorsey is a cosponsor.

[Supervisor Matt Dorsey]: Yep. Thank you again, Chair Chen. This item, sponsored by the mayor. It is cosponsored by myself together with Supervisor Sauter and Mandelman. This will help modernize a cherished resource for our neighborhood sidewalks. Flower stands once dotted our downtown sidewalks for visitors and residents alike to enjoy. Most of San Francisco's iconic sidewalk flower stands have been dark for many years, not because of lack of interest, but largely because of outdated nineteen twenties era rules that made it nearly impossible to operate them. This legislation brings that character back to our streets. These reforms seek to modernize the program, paving the way to reactivate flower stands citywide, particularly downtown. Despite no formal marketing or outreach, the Office Office of Small Business has received dozens of inquiries, I understand, from small business owners eager to operate stands like these. This interest, I think, demonstrates that updating this century old ordinance is not only administratively necessary, but timely. By modernizing the ordinance, can activate the downtown street space with vibrant small businesses and support the economic vitality of our downtown corridors. This legislation provides practical path forward that balances regulatory oversight with the flexibility needed to accommodate legitimate business interests and to contribute to the city's economic recovery. I wanna thank the mayor's office and my other cosponsors for their interest and work on this topic. I also want to thank the Department of Public Works and the Office of Small Business for all their thoughtful and collaborative work. Before I hand it off to departments, I do want to preview that I will be asking the committee to make some minor amendments that the department has requested. You have a digital and electronic copy of these and I will discuss those further after the presentation. So now, through the chair, I would like to invite Annie Yallon, deputy director of policy and communications at Public Works, to present. We're also joined by Esther Lee from Public Works in the Office of Small Business, and Director Katie Tang. Thanks. Thank you all for being here.

[Esther Lee (Government Affairs Liaison, San Francisco Public Works)]: Thank you. Thank you, Chair Chen, Supervisors Mahmood, Supervisor Dorsey. I am Esther Lee, government affairs liaison with the San Francisco Public Works. I am joined today by Annie Yelan, deputy director and communications director at San Francisco Public Works, and Katie Tang, executive director of the Office of Small Business. As supervisor Dorsey has stated, this ordinance will modernize the century old sidewalk flower stand regulations. Not long ago, San Francisco streets were bursting with flower stands. The city was alive with the radiant flower bouquets, the bustle of the foot traffic, and the joyful energy of people greeting each other on the streets. It's the stuff of nostalgic dinner conversations with family and friends, or friendly chats at your neighborhood bar, reminiscing on fond memories of days past when visits to downtown was a special place that visitors and residents loved. Once downtown alone had more than 120 outdoor flower stands in the early nineteen hundreds, vibrant, fragrant hubs that became part of the city's character, and gave countless immigrants and entrepreneurs an entry point into small business ownership. Unfortunately, today, only four stands remain. That's not because San Franciscans stopped loving flowers. It is, as supervisor Dorsey has said, because we have outdated regulations, some dating as early as nineteen twenties, that made it nearly impossible to open a new stand. The rules required permits to pass only between family members, leaving stands vacant when original permit holders retired or passed away without relatives willing to carry on the business. Mayor Lurie is changing that now with this ordinance to modernize the program, which is managed by San Francisco Public Works. The ordinance opens up permitting to any licensed San Francisco business in compliance with city business and tax regulations, and removes the family only transfer requirement that left stamps empty for years. The ordinance also updates the application process to reflect current city business practices, reducing outdated barriers. It establishes a clear succession pathway. In the event of a permit holder's death, the permit expires and reverts to the city. A surviving spouse or domestic partner receives priority placement at the same location, and if they decline, public works will issue a new permit through the office of small business. Additionally, it transferred permit approval authority from the Board of Supervisors to the Director of Public Works, streamlining the process. This ordinance will preserve the core characters of what makes Flower Stance special. At least 7575% of goods displayed or sold at any stand must be cut flowers, evergreens, potted plants, or wearable flowers, keeping these permits focused on on floriculture, not general retail. The annual permit fee reflects $12.99 dollars plus an annual assessment fee from a fee study. Flower stance may seem like a small thing. However, this legislation is part of Mayor Loury's commitment to getting the small things right on the path to San Francisco brought San Francisco's broader comeback. Flower stance represents something bigger, the kind of vibrant street life that makes San Francisco worth coming back to. On that note, San Francisco excuse me, San Fran on that note, Public Works will be working with the Office of Small Business to identify qualified vendors and welcome newsstands, particularly in the downtown corridor where foot traffic boosts the business prospects. A larger economic rebound is most where an economic a larger economic rebound is most needed. So I hope committee members agree. It's time to bring flower stands back and rekindle the vibrancy and energy that flower stands and small businesses create. More flower stands mean more color, more foot traffic, and more small business opportunities in a downtown that's already that's ready to bloom. This is our love letter to San Francisco, and it's written into this ordinance, and it's waiting to be sealed with your vote of support. Before I finish the presentation, I would like to thank Katie Tang, executive director of the Office of Small Business, for her work on the ordinance and the commitment of her office to keep working on this program. I would also like to thank Kelly Albers of the public works permits division whose expertise and dedication have been instrumental in bringing this program back online. Also, thank you, supervisor Dorsey, for introducing our amendments to the ordinance today. As supervisor Dorsey has previously stated, the amendments are non substantive and will allow vendors to deliver flowers and also limit flower vending permits to non formulas. Katie Tang, Annie Yulon, and I are here to answer questions from committee members. We also have hard copies of the amendments to pass out. Thank you.

[Supervisor Matt Dorsey]: Thank you. I have no questions other than to just comment to express my gratitude for the presentation and for all your work on this. So thank you, Ms. Lee, thank you for being here, Director Tang and Deputy Director Yan. After public comment, I will make a motion to incorporate the department's requested amendments. Should we do that as two motions? Do you

[John Carroll (Committee Clerk)]: Just to make the amendments? You only need one motion to make Okay. The

[Supervisor Matt Dorsey]: Great. So I'll send it back to

[Supervisor Chyanne Chen (Vice Chair; Acting Chair)]: Thank Thank you, Chair I also want to share that small businesses are essential to our economic recovery and community characters. Flower stands at vibrancy to our street, and this legislation will encourage greater activation of flower stands and create a more welcoming atmosphere on our city streets. I support creating a simplified permit process with a low barrier to entry, especially for our micro enterprises. I think this legislation will create entrepreneurial opportunity and foster more diverse small business ownership. And, Mr. Claire, would you also please add me as a cosponsor to this legislation? Thank you. And let's open this item for public comments.

[John Carroll (Committee Clerk)]: Thank Madam vice chair land use and transportation will now hear public comment related to agenda item number four if you have public comment for this item please come forward to the lectern at this time. Madam vice chair it appears we have no speakers.

[Supervisor Chyanne Chen (Vice Chair; Acting Chair)]: Seeing no other speakers public comment is now closed. Vice President Dorsey.

[Supervisor Matt Dorsey]: Thank you chair Chen. At this time I would like to make a motion to incorporate the requested amendments. First, in order to allow for flower delivery, I'd like to strike language on page six, line 20, starting with and no display, unquote, and ending with or operators thereof, end quote. And second, to limit this program to non formula retail, add a new section on page nine line 15 that reads as follows. O, no business or person that engages in any retail sales or service activity constitutes formula retail as defined in planning code section 303.1 b as may be amended from time to time shall be eligible to obtain a sidewalk flower stand permit and then to send this and that concludes the amendments and then as part of that motion to send this item to the full board with our positive recommendation.

[Supervisor Chyanne Chen (Vice Chair; Acting Chair)]: As a committee report.

[Supervisor Matt Dorsey]: As a committee report. Thank you.

[John Carroll (Committee Clerk)]: Two motions the first to amend the ordinance as presented the second to recommend as a committee report as amended each of them offered by member Dorsey on those two motions member Mahmood Mahmood aye member Dorsey Dorsey aye vice chair Chen aye Chen aye madam vice chair there are three ayes the motion passes

[Supervisor Chyanne Chen (Vice Chair; Acting Chair)]: mister clerk is there any more business before us today?

[John Carroll (Committee Clerk)]: There is no further business.

[Supervisor Chyanne Chen (Vice Chair; Acting Chair)]: Thank you. The meeting is now adjourned.

[John Carroll (Committee Clerk)]: Thank you.

[Supervisor Chyanne Chen (Vice Chair; Acting Chair)]: Thank you.