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203 Cotter appeals withdrawn; board hears neighborhood concerns as Little City Gardens prepares to leave site
Summary
Appellants withdrew appeals on a proposed school at 203 Cotter Street on Dec. 6, clearing a path for the project while neighbors and the sponsor continue to negotiate measures addressing past neighborhood flooding and other concerns.
Appellants withdrew both appeals relating to 203 Cotter Street during the Board of Supervisorsmeeting on Dec. 6, removing the need for contested hearings on the planning department's categorical exemption and a conditional use authorization. Supervisor Avalos, whose district includes Mission Terrace, described lengthy neighborhood discussions and continuing work to build a cooperative relationship between the proposed school and neighbors.
Avalos reviewed the site's local context: the Cotter Street area has experienced flooding in 2004 and 2014 that inundated homes and garages, and neighbors feared a new development could exacerbate hydrology issues. The site at 203 Cotter had been used for many years as a low‑profile urban farm called Little City Gardens; co‑founder Caitlin Galloway told the board the three‑quarter‑acre farm has functioned as a production and education site since 2010 and will be packing up after the property owner received approvals to develop. Avalos said the project's current design includes features intended to mitigate stormwater and moisture impacts and that early discussions covered moving the proposed school building and commuting/traffic/parking questions, adding that neighbors and the project sponsor had reached understandings that led to withdrawal of the appeals.
Avalos said the resolution he planned to introduce would ask the Department of Real Estate and other departments to explore options for reserving or setting aside city land for urban agriculture, including commercial and educational farms, and to consider financing and tenure models to make urban farms viable. The board received public comment from the farm operator, who described Little City Gardens' educational role and said secure land tenure is crucial for sustaining urban agriculture in San Francisco.
Ending — next steps: With the appeals withdrawn, the project may proceed through planning and permitting. Supervisor Avalos moved to file the hearings (items 31 and 35), affirm the planning determinations (items 32 and 36) and table related motions; the board agreed without objection. Avalos also indicated he would formally introduce a resolution to the Department of Real Estate to examine options for securing land for urban agriculture and asked for staff drafting assistance.
