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Board approves Sunnydale street vacation ordinance with added utility and phasing protections
Summary
Supervisors approved an ordinance to vacate streets and easements for the Sunnydale Hope SF redevelopment after the district supervisor and staff secured amendments that require PUC commission approval of related easements, temporary public utility easements during construction and phased conveyance back to the city.
The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Jan. 29 to approve an ordinance ordering the vacation of streets and certain easements at the Sunnydale Hope SF project site, a major public‑housing revitalization effort in District 10, while adding conditions to protect city utility interests.
Supervisor Ahsha Safaí Walton, the district supervisor sponsoring the action, said the street vacation is “an important process step” that will allow construction of new public housing, streets and utilities on the Sunnydale Hope SF site. During the committee session the sponsor offered two amendments clarifying how public utilities and public‑use rights will be preserved and phased back to city ownership.
Key amendments adopted on the floor require that: - The ordinance incorporate and adopt San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) Resolution No. 19‑0024 (Jan. 22, 2019) permitting certain public utility easements to be vacated when replacement public utility facilities are constructed; and - Conditions for vacating streets must be tied to completion of each development phase and satisfactory inspection and acceptance by the Department of Public Works, recording of phase final maps, and reservation of temporary public utility easements until replacement facilities are constructed and operational.
Supervisor Walton said ownership of newly constructed streets and infrastructure will return to the city phase by phase after thorough city inspection and separate legislative action. The board approved the ordinance on first reading as amended.
Why it matters: Street vacations can transfer public right‑of‑way to project sponsors; in this case supervisors insisted the city retain or recover utility corridors and ownership of new infrastructure so that service continuity and public control are preserved.
Vote: The ordinance passed unanimously on first reading as amended. Supervisor Walton said Mercy Housing and SFPUC staff were present to answer questions and to coordinate the replacement of public utility facilities during redevelopment.
