Board moves to limit West Harbor expansion; ordinance would bar projects extending West Harbor more than 150 feet

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed on first reading an ordinance on Feb. 6 that would prohibit the Recreation and Park Department and the Planning Department from performing environmental review of, or otherwise implementing, a project to clean up and reconstruct the Marina Yacht Harbor in any way that would extend the West Harbor Marina by more than 150 feet from its current boundary.

Supervisor Ahsha Safaí, the ordinance’s lead sponsor, framed the measure as an effort to preserve long‑standing recreational uses of the Marina—rowing, open‑water swimming and youth sailing—and to ensure community input into design choices after years of litigation and cleanup needs at the harbor. “We want Rekken Park to go back to the drawing board,” Safaí said, urging the sponsor (Rec and Park) to preserve existing uses and avoid extending the West Harbor beyond the capped footage. Safaí thanked stakeholders including the Dolphin Club, the Saint Francis Yacht Club and the Exploratorium for letters and organizing in support of preserving waterfront access.

Supporters on the board cited youth sailing programs, equitable access to the Bay, and the cultural value of the marina. Supervisor Matt Dorsey said the proposal would protect youth sailing programs and other recreational opportunities, including programs based on Treasure Island for which he has local ties. Former budget chair Hillary Ronan urged budget neutrality for any changes and noted tools such as slip fees or parking charges as options to avoid general fund burdens.

Supervisor Stephanie recused herself from the vote and cited a conflict: her husband owns a boat in the East Harbor; she stated she had been advised by the city attorney’s office not to participate. The board adopted the ordinance on first reading with 10 ayes (Supervisor Stephanie recused). The clerk recorded the roll call as yielding 10 ayes.

Why it matters: the ordinance sets a local limit on the permissible expansion of the West Harbor and signals the board’s intent to prioritize water‑dependent public uses and recreation when a major cleanup and redevelopment is considered. Sponsors say the cap will force the project sponsor to return with a plan that protects rowing, swimming, sailing and other uses while allowing remediation of contamination. The board’s action is on first reading and could be subject to additional procedural steps before becoming final.

Next steps: the measure passed first reading; subsequent steps required by city process include any additional readings or compliance with applicable laws and environmental review protocols for future proposals. Rec and Park and the developer (Rekken Park) would need to modify plans to conform with the new local restriction if adopted in final form.