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Board affirms CEQA exemptions for MTA emergency street projects after consolidated appeals
Summary
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on Sept. 29 upheld Planning Department determinations that four SFMTA COVID-19 emergency street projects are exempt from CEQA, rejecting consolidated appeals and allowing the temporary transit lanes, bikeways, the Panhandle project and Slow Streets Phase 3 to remain in place while monitoring continues.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on Tuesday affirmed the Planning Department's determinations that four SFMTA COVID-19 emergency street programs are exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review, rejecting consolidated appeals filed against temporary transit lanes, bikeways, the Panhandle social-distancing project and Slow Streets Phase 3.
Why it matters: The SFMTA projects were implemented to relieve crowding on transit and create space for walking, biking and curbside services during the COVID-19 public-health emergency. Supporters said the measures reduce the time riders spend on public vehicles and provide space for safe physical distancing; opponents argued the emergency exemptions and expedited rollouts bypassed required review.
The appeals: Appellants argued the pandemic does not automatically qualify as a CEQA emergency and that the projects require ordinary environmental review and public process. Appellants also sought continuances to prepare…
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