Board upholds tentative subdivision map for Park Merced amid residents' noticing and process concerns

The Board of Supervisors unanimously affirmed a tentative subdivision map for an initial subphase of the Park Merced redevelopment project after hearing an appeal from neighborhood representatives who raised noticing, ownership and process concerns.

Appellants led by the Park Merced Action Coalition (PMAC) asked the board to disapprove the tentative map. Appellants said notice mailed to residents was confusing, used inconsistent language (the notice included references to both a tentative and a "tentative final map") and did not clearly identify which buildings or lots would be affected. Diane Carpio, appearing for PMAC, told the board the packet provided to residents was incomplete and that residents had only a short window to appeal complicated materials that affect nearly 60 blocks and lots across the development.

Department of Public Works staff responded that notice was mailed broadly and, as an "abundance of caution," the department circulated materials to Park Merced residents beyond the minimum state requirement. Paul Mabry, the department's chief surveyor working on the project, said the department follows the Subdivision Map Act and local subdivision regulations and that additional title, tax and ownership checks must be completed before any final map can be recorded. The department also confirmed that verification of ownership and payment of taxes would be required prior to recordation of any final map.

Park Merced's counsel said the board approved the larger Park Merced development in 2011, including an EIR and a development agreement; the current item covered specific tentative maps for subphase 1A and 1B and included hundreds of conditions of approval. Jim Abrams, counsel for the project sponsor, told the board the map before the supervisors was the conditional, tentative map and that the public had multiple avenues for review and comment. Project sponsor representatives said they had held meetings with residents who would be relocated in the early phase and described tenant-relocation rules and timelines in the development agreement.

Public commenters included Park Merced residents who said mailed notices were ambiguous and that they wanted clearer, direct outreach. Other speakers urged the board to affirm the map to allow long-planned redevelopment and replacement housing to move forward.

After hearing the appellant, staff, the project sponsor and public comment, Supervisor Norman Yee moved to approve Item 46 and table Items 47 and 48 (which sought disapproval or findings). The clerk recorded an 11-0 roll call vote in favor of affirming the tentative map.

What the action does: The board's affirmation allows the Department of Public Works time to continue processing conditions of approval and to require the verification steps (title, tax payment, subdivision guarantee) before any final map is recorded. The board noted that many of the technical and title issues raised by appellants are standard parts of the final map process and that the tentative approval does not itself record property transfers.

Votes at a glance

- Item 46 (approve tentative map): Affirmed, 11-0. - Items 47 and 48 (disapprove; direct preparation of findings): Tabled.

Next steps: The project sponsor and DPW will continue work on the street improvement plans, tenant relocation notices and the conditions of approval that must be satisfied before a final map and any street-acceptance actions are recorded or presented to the board.