[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6537989,"mediaKeyId","3409900-6e8e7b032db9f273c4d7d436a401021e","parentId",3409900,"title","Board adopts housing finance, infrastructure, shelter leases and other measures in April 15 meeting; military equipment policy accepted","audioSeconds",10498,"startMs",542000,"endMs",11040000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3409900-6e8e7b032db9f273c4d7d436a401021e&start=542&end=11040","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3409900-6e8e7b032db9f273c4d7d436a401021e/thumbnail_542000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6537989/San-Francisco-County/California/Board-adopts-housing-finance-infrastructure-shelter-leases-and-other-measures-in-April-15-meeting-military-equipment-policy-accepted","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537989-ee70e44250b394650df881b727e66942/orig.mp4?Expires=1776623338&Signature=GDgik9A5vZdysD5umYHftgcVnSrVi2YRBNhn5aPxuu6OjeZvCf4cj-Qq04rkU7siSsS3CLbeW5g0qFoQXEjfTh7cpa-ivsXYsYUwtsoDvTSNDZY92K8gC~8emzC3FsvME6E7FngWDM6ieqXd8S9tATIqw6sMEud~BN40fXIw4kvxRgZa7Q3r3LyPI3hWd13PRkbAzjkv-lO3H5-JE-fFMfwmsUv9wzxinHFVX8S6HpRlvt6-WtPDY~09gK-pj8s9XGeizW8vnaeKDargHuIt1JMIUe~DF-Yk6zYJFd6wiLcp6ZT4KPUL2TEtD8pzPoN8FYUwIp74a-mWCtds4813Ug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","San Francisco County, CA","date","2025-05-20T03:06:00Z","article","The San Francisco Board of Supervisors approved a slate of ordinances, resolutions, contracts and appointments at its April 15 regular meeting, including land‑use changes, housing finance and temporary shelter leasing. Key votes included approving a special use district at 600 Townsend, authorizing Mission Rock agreements, adopting a capital plan and approving several homelessness program grant amendments and leases.

Highlights

- 600 Townsend West Special Use District: The board finally passed an ordinance to legalize longstanding office uses at the 600 Townsend Street West site and to waive or reduce several development requirements (item 7). The ordinance was announced as finally passed by the clerk.

- Castro Upper Market Entertainment Zone: An ordinance to create the Castro Upper Market Entertainment Zone and to clarify boundaries of the existing area entertainment zone was finally passed (item 8).

- Mission Rock and China Basin Park agreements: The board passed an ordinance authorizing a loan, licenses and agreements tied to Mission Rock and China Basin Park and advanced Mission Rock related ordinances/resolutions on first reading (items 9, 24–27).

- Public Utilities contracts: The board adopted a resolution authorizing the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission general manager to execute a first amendment increasing a construction management services agreement by $25,000,000 to a $34,000,000 total and extending the contract through June 3, 2030 (item 10). The board also approved contract amendments across several PUC specialized services contracts that increase each contract by $5,500,000 to a $13,000,000 not‑to‑exceed amount for a new combined total of $52,000,000 (item 12).

- Monarch Hotel lease for temporary shelter: The board retroactively authorized a one‑year lease with Lombard Hotel Group for use of the Monarch Hotel at 1015 Geary Street as a 102‑unit non‑congregate temporary shelter for April 1, 2025–March 31, 2026, at an annual base rent of $1,600,000 plus a final payment of approximately $100,000 on surrender (item 11).

- Homelessness grant amendments and emergency shelter funding: The board adopted multiple grant amendments, including major increases to Abode Services, Episcopal Community Services (Henry Hotel), 5 Keys Schools and Programs (Artmar Hotel) and Mission Action Inc. (items 13–15, 17). The amounts included increases of $8,500,000 (Abode) and approximately $5,800,000 (Episcopal Community Services) among other adjustments.

- Sunnydale financing for Hope SF Blocks 7 and 9: The board approved multifamily housing revenue notes and bonds to finance construction of two Sunnydale Hope SF projects (items 19–22). Authorized principal amounts cited in the record included approximately $53,300,000 for Block 7 and $57,000,000 for Block 9; related mayor's office loan agreements for $18,000,000 (Block 7) and $30,200,000 (Block 9) were also adopted.

- Chinatown Community Children's Center lease: The board authorized a lease to the Chinatown Community Children's Center for about 6,372 square feet of City Hall property at a base rent of $1 per year, with an initial term and two 10‑year renewal options (item 18).

- SFPD military equipment use policy: The board accepted the San Francisco Sheriff's Office military equipment use policy report and inventory and approved requests for additional equipment consistent with state law (item 33). That resolution passed 8 ayes and 3 no votes (supervisors Chan, Fielder and Walton voted no).

- CEQA appeal at 2142 20th Street: After a public hearing on a categorical exemption appeal for a proposed six‑unit project, the board affirmed the Planning Department's exemption (item 35) and tabled related motions to reverse the exemption and to prepare written findings (items 36 and 37). See companion coverage for details on the hearing.

How the board voted: Many consent and regular‑agenda items were handled by the clerk as “same house, same call” and recorded as finally passed or adopted. When a roll call was taken the clerk read individual votes; when summarized, most measures were recorded as adopted by 11 ayes. Items 1–6 were adopted with 10 ayes and 1 absence (Supervisor Melgar recorded as absent for the consent roll on items 1–6). The SFPD/military equipment resolution was adopted 8‑3; the clerk recorded the three no votes by name.

What this means: The board cleared several measures that advance housing finance and Mission Rock infrastructure, moved forward public‑utilities contract increases to support capital work, and approved shelter and grant funding intended to expand emergency and supportive housing capacity. The CEQA appeal ruling means the Planning Department's exemption remains in place for the 2142 20th Street project while technical conditions are expected to be addressed in DBI building‑permit review.

Speakers quoted or referenced below are from the attribution list. The summary lists each adopted action by item number; the actions array contains formal motions recorded in the meeting minutes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Sanfrancisco Government tv - 174470040004/15/25 - May 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Board of Supervisors on April 15 approved a broad set of ordinances, contract amendments, financing measures, shelter leases and grant amendments covering Mission Rock, Sunnydale housing, temporary shelter leasing, and public utilities contracting.","taxTitle","San Francisco County, California","taxId",2862,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6537994,"Board affirms Planning Department categorical exemption for 2142 20th Street project after geotechnical concerns raised",1975,3754000,5729000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3409900-6e8e7b032db9f273c4d7d436a401021e&start=3754&end=5729","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3409900-6e8e7b032db9f273c4d7d436a401021e/thumbnail_3754000.jpg","/articles/6537994/San-Francisco-County/California/Board-affirms-Planning-Department-categorical-exemption-for-2142-20th-Street-project-after-geotechnical-concerns-raised","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537994-7ba70618bd914b5987e33dbd2a1d73e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1776623338&Signature=JzcvoF-wbInN-HiOZbUH2SCJKs1pypET891QDNAMntTZryjndDKdxJO4WCMZAT5GROzZTmyS1KItx~~fOX2yWiYDC9jmRut4mhuRV85yTqy7xEzchtNc35bZVwEZFbLEFWQWfj6RGKPyVsTqvkKeQ0dP5-JWTeptkJ6CmXbo4ayFRWrEGhghX8djDGMKz8EHjW5E4OzT1na5uGROmGTdTb34wVUaNpOBa1padX4rcjUyYLD-xxwTLaDtFHfbaBaF4dU5LRO-MlrCaAXBYPf-Pgo~fzO1XHbl4kroEDnpmiBrf8vwmVB20zFJ5BvaVw8-NVuT8Nrjpc~lVBi-1iywNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted 11-0 April 15 to affirm the Planning Department's categorical exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for a proposed six‑unit residential project at 2142 20th Street in Potrero Hill and to table motions that would have required additional CEQA findings or a reversal of that exemption.

The board's decision came after an hourlong public hearing in which the appellants said unusual site conditions — a steep slope, mapped seismic landslide hazard, and underlying serpentine bedrock — create a reasonable possibility of significant environmental impacts that require an initial study under CEQA.

Why it matters: Appellants and an independent geotechnical expert argued that planned excavations of up to about 30 feet and limited shallow borings to 2–5 feet leave key site hazards uncharacterized; the Planning Department and the project sponsor said those issues are addressed through routine building permit processes, local codes and state law.

Appellant Emily Brough, representing the neighboring homeowners association, said the question before the board was not whether the building should be built but “whether the project should receive environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act.” She and geotechnical engineer Alan Cropp told supervisors that several factors taken together create unusual circumstances: steep grades reported on parts of the parcel of roughly 40 percent, the site's designation on state seismic landslide maps, and exposure of serpentinite bedrock that can release naturally occurring asbestos during deep excavation.

“Serpentinite has the second unfortunate situation that in certain cases it possesses asbestos fibers, which can be hazardous during excavation processes,” said Cropp, a Bay Area geotechnical engineer with more than 50 years of experience. He testified the project lacked certified engineering geology studies, deep borings and a geologist-certified evaluation of deeper materials and stability that would normally inform excavation and shoring design.

Planning Department staff said the project fits within CEQA’s class 1 and class 3 categorical exemptions — demolition of a single‑family residence and construction of up to six units — and concluded that the unusual‑circumstances exception did not apply. Don Lewis, a Planning Department staffer, told the board that steep slopes and serpentine bedrock are common in parts of San Francisco and that local and state building codes, the Slope and Seismic Hazard Protection program, and the Department of Building Inspection (DBI) permit review require geotechnical and geological reporting at the building‑permit stage.

Project counsel Tuya Catalano said the sponsor has engaged with neighbors, modified the project in response to questions and will submit the standard building‑permit materials — including geotechnical and geology reports prepared by licensed professionals — before excavation or demolition. Catalano urged supervisors not to use a CEQA appeal to substitute for the technical peer review that occurs during permitting.

Board action: Supervisor Walton moved to affirm the Planning Department's categorical exemption (item 35), and the board approved that motion 11‑0. Supervisors tabled two related items (motions 36 and 37) that would have conditionally reversed the exemption and directed preparation of findings. The board recorded the final vote on the exemption as 11 ayes; no supervisors voted no on that motion.

What was debated: Appellants said the combination of steeper‑than‑typical slopes, the mapped seismic landslide hazard and uncharacterized serpentinite made a reasonable case that deeper investigation should occur before construction. Planning and the sponsor emphasized that those technical investigations are standard permit conditions — that DBI requires licensed geotechnical engineers and certified engineering geologists, and that site‑specific mitigation (shoring, dust controls for naturally occurring asbestos, peer review) is handled through the building‑permit process.

Next steps and caveats: The Planning Department's exemption stands for now, and the project sponsor may proceed toward building‑permit applications. Any required geotechnical or geological reports, or additional mitigation, would be reviewed and enforced by DBI and other agencies at the permit stage. Appellants retain other administrative remedies if they believe later permit documents are inadequate.

Speakers quoted in this story are identified by name and role as they appeared at the April 15 meeting and are members of the attribution list below. The board's formal motions and vote were recorded on the public hearing docket (items 34–37).","The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted 11-0 April 15 to affirm the Planning Department's CEQA categorical exemption for a proposed six‑unit project at 2142 20th Street, after appellants pressed for environmental review citing steep slopes, an earthquake landslide zone and serpentine bedrock.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6537984,"Community groups press board to restore Dream Keeper Initiative funding during public comment",720,8280000,9000000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3409900-6e8e7b032db9f273c4d7d436a401021e&start=8280&end=9000","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3409900-6e8e7b032db9f273c4d7d436a401021e/thumbnail_8280000.jpg","/articles/6537984/San-Francisco-County/California/Community-groups-press-board-to-restore-Dream-Keeper-Initiative-funding-during-public-comment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6537984-8b277207e98301e4cc24f4a7cf4a4daa/orig.mp4?Expires=1776623338&Signature=RtnVIQECx~UcH7G3mU2Sx7IPKroC18FtN-UpEgGkwebHG5kytwU-aCHHl6F~9~rciD5X0tnrRYV7mLDk91MkrqXB3wLAFescPBL29uxzG0DEHIbQLItvD4CB28ckapwizhekmvlWtoZeZou4JhI88C9yU9V0z0Dm24~stu5HXv0oTDncW83MAr4RxqPkBGAu1h36wxTM7OMkYyZDRarkGu53DswGX6JlR1q0zPtcrunxInFZVwhrikzXtbXmS5EOhJe5Jr4SwtBJ73diiUMX65V0TgD6Lu9iGAN~Jeo~hHiEk-ijgyzuLBS1y0REGgK4FuJ0Ov2r3ZPB3oTE8mZCsA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several community members and representatives of Mega Black and other Dream Keeper Initiative (DKI) grantees used the Board of Supervisors' public‑comment period on April 15 to urge the mayor and supervisors to restore or fully fund DKI and to pay organizations and individuals who say they have not been compensated.

Why it matters: The Dream Keeper Initiative has provided targeted funding and programming for Black residents and organizations. Speakers said a sharp reduction in available funding and delays in payments are harming community organizations and residents who rely on the program's grants, scholarships and services.

What speakers said: Virginia Marshall, representing Mega Black and a longtime nonprofit media producer, asked directly, “Where is the rest of the DKI funding?” She said the initiative has been transformative for community organizations and pressed the board for transparency and accountability on remaining funds.

Jeffrey Greer, also representing Mega Black, said the initiative’s dollars had been reduced from prior allocations and that current totals in the request for proposals “are listed as less than $20,000,000 per year” distributed across multiple areas. He said community stakeholders were not adequately informed about cuts and urged the board to reconsider allocations.

Other speakers echoed concerns that community projects supported by DKI had produced measurable results, that scholarship and workforce programs helped residents gain education and jobs, and that grantee organizations and community workers remain unpaid for completed work. Liva Shepherd said Dream Keeper funding supported scholarships that allowed her to pursue graduate education, and she urged the board to return funds to community organizations. Cheryl Shanks described a Tenderloin restaurant and community space that, she said, would not have been possible without DKI support and asked why vendors and participants had not been paid.

Board reaction and context: The board did not take action on DKI funding at the meeting; Dream Keeper items were discussed in public comment rather than as an agenda item. Several supervisors present had earlier introduced or cosponsored other resolutions and legislation on the agenda, but the funding questions raised by speakers were directed at the mayor's budget and administrative decisions.

What speakers requested: Public commenters asked the mayor and the board to (1) fully restore prior DKI funding levels, (2) provide a transparent accounting of funds released and remaining, and (3) ensure that community partners, vendors and individuals who delivered contracted work or services are paid promptly.

Speakers' claims about amounts and program history were stated during public comment and reflect community concerns; the board's formal budget and administrative records should be consulted for an authoritative accounting.","Multiple community speakers urged the Board of Supervisors on April 15 to restore or fully fund the Dream Keeper Initiative (DKI), saying recent city actions reduced the program's annual funding and that community partners and vendors remain unpaid.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board adopts housing finance, infrastructure, shelter leases and other measures in April 15 meeting; military equipment policy accepted

Board affirms Planning Department categorical exemption for 2142 20th Street project after geotechnical concerns raised

Community groups press board to restore Dream Keeper Initiative funding during public comment