San Francisco Board approves UCSF's parking expansion plans amid community concerns

In a recent San Francisco government meeting, significant discussions centered around the Lease Disposition and Development Agreement (LDDA) related to the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and its impact on local transportation and parking. The meeting highlighted the need for UCSF to enhance its employee transportation options, particularly in light of low public transit usage among its staff.

Supervisor Breed expressed concern over UCSF's mode share percentages, noting that many employees rely on driving rather than public transit, biking, or walking. This trend poses challenges to San Francisco's goal of becoming a transit-first city. Breed emphasized the importance of collaboration between UCSF and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) to develop incentives that encourage alternative transportation methods, especially for employees working night shifts.

The discussion also addressed the financial aspects of the project, with a focus on a proposed $10 million budget for parking mitigation and expansion. Director Barbara Garcia urged the supervisors to vote on the LDDA without delay, citing the urgency of moving forward with construction plans. The supervisors agreed on the necessity of a budget committee reserve to ensure public input on how the funds will be allocated, particularly since the $10 million will not cover the entire plan.

Supervisor Cohen and Supervisor Ronan played pivotal roles in amending the ordinance to guarantee that UCSF maintains 30 parking spaces for its faculty and staff at the Mission Bay campus, offsetting spaces that will be removed from the San Francisco General campus. This amendment was passed unanimously, reflecting a collaborative effort to address community concerns while advancing the project.

The meeting concluded with a strong consensus among supervisors to support the amended ordinance, recognizing the urgency of the research conducted at UCSF that directly impacts patient care at San Francisco General. The unanimous vote marks a significant step forward in balancing development needs with community transportation goals, setting the stage for further discussions on sustainable transit solutions in the city.