Board affirms planning department exemption for Upper Market street safety project after multi-hour hearing

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously affirmed the Planning Department's categorical exemption for the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency's Upper Market Street safety project, rejecting an appeal that argued the project required additional environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

The project covers Upper Market Street between Castro Street and Octavia Boulevard and calls for new curb extensions, parking-protected bicycle lanes, ADA curb ramps and related street improvements. The appeal was filed by David Pilpel, who said he questioned the adequacy of the Planning Department's exemption determination and raised concerns about emergency vehicle access and possible cumulative impacts with nearby projects.

Pilpel told the board his appeal was “brought in good faith” and argued that certain project components had been described inconsistently in MTA materials and therefore should have been re-submitted for review. He also cited the…