Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Pdr topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board approves sending narrower PDR/arts protection charter amendment to voters after amendments, continues technical work
Summary
The Board of Supervisors voted July 26 to place a charter amendment on the November ballot that would strengthen replacement requirements for production, distribution and repair (PDR), arts and community space in parts of the Mission and South of Market, while adding targeted exemptions and future amendment authority for the board.
The Board of Supervisors voted July 26 to submit to voters a charter amendment intended to strengthen protections for production, distribution and repair (PDR) space, arts uses and community/institutional uses in parts of the Mission and South of Market neighborhoods.
Supervisor Kim sponsored the measure (item 74) after convening arts and maker groups concerned about the city’s loss of industrial and arts space. The original draft proposed citywide controls; board debate and input from other supervisors narrowed the zone to the Mission and South of Market and added a set of amendments crafted in committee.
Key provisions and negotiation points: the draft before the board would require developers who convert qualifying PDR, institutional community or arts space in the covered areas to replace a percentage of lost space. For projects already in the entitlement pipeline the board added a replacement requirement of 40% for conversions of 15,000 square feet or more; developers that provided long‑term (55‑year) affordable replacement space at half the normal market rent could reduce the obligation under a proposed incentive.
Board members debated exemptions for fully affordable housing projects, landmarked properties and smaller projects in process. Supervisors Sandra Cohen and Katy Tang pushed for more robust analysis and broader outreach before citywide changes; Supervisor Kim agreed to several targeted amendments and added a provision allowing the Board of Supervisors to amend the section in future by a two‑thirds vote so the body could refine rules after voter action.
After debate the board passed the motion to put the measure on the November ballot, adopting several committee amendments and then continuing technical follow‑up to the August 2 Committee of the Whole to finalize ballot language and address outstanding drafting issues.
Why it matters: The proposal aims to preserve jobs and creative workspace in neighborhoods undergoing rapid residential and office development. It pits housing and development goals against protecting historic and employment-generating uses, and could reshape development negotiations across the city.
Next steps: Technical revisions and final ballot language will be completed in advance of the city’s ballot deadline and the board will hold follow‑up technical hearings on August 2.
