Board adopts broad slate of ordinances, resolutions and appointments; Western SoMa plan passes

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on Tuesday enacted a series of ordinances, resolutions and appointments covering zoning, taxes, grants and licensing, approving consent calendar items and several notable measures after roll-call votes.

A package of zoning and code changes for the Western South of Market (Western SoMa) area — items 17 through 20 on the agenda — was finally passed after a roll-call vote. The board also adopted a resolution concurring with the controller's 2013 consumer price index and adjusting the access line tax (item 21), authorized multiple retroactive grant acceptances (items 22 and 23), and approved ordinances and administrative-code amendments on a range of matters including municipal elections code changes (item 29).

Why it matters: The Western SoMa ordinances revise land-use, height and bulk districts and integrate the new area plan into the city's monitoring program; the grant acceptances and licensing votes move routine administration and public-safety funding forward.

Most important outcomes - Items 17–20 (Western SoMa plan package): Ordinances amending the general plan, planning code, zoning maps and administrative code were finally passed (roll call: 8 ayes, 1 no). The clerk announced, "Those ordinances are finally passed." - Item 21 (CPI/access-line tax): The board adopted the controller's consumer price index and adjusted the access line tax (roll call: 9 ayes). - Item 22 (Sheriff's Department grant): The board authorized retroactive acceptance of an approximately $600,000 U.S. Department of Justice grant (resolution adopted by unanimous roll call). - Item 23 (Recreation & Park grant): The board authorized retroactive acceptance of a grant of up to approximately $3,300,000 from the Trust for Public Land for park improvements (resolution adopted by unanimous roll call). - Item 24: An ordinance making technical planning and fee amendments was passed on first reading (no roll-call opposition recorded on first read). - Item 25: An ordinance approving exceptions to seismic-safety loan program regulations, relating to an approximate $2,300,000 loan for an affordable housing project (Hotel Isabel, 1091 Mission St.), was advanced (first-read action recorded on the calendar). - Licensing items (27, 28 and related): Resolutions determining transfers/issuances of on-sale and off-sale beer and wine licenses (items noted on consent) were adopted by roll call. - Item 29 (municipal elections code amendments): The board passed the ordinance on first reading as amended; Supervisor Kim moved an amendment to change the operative date (amendment seconded by Supervisor Cohen). The board accepted the amendment and passed the ordinance on first read as amended. - Item 30: The board confirmed Robert Boden's appointment to the reentry council (roll call: 9 ayes). - Item 31: The mayor's Port Commission nomination was continued for one week at the request of absent colleagues. - Item 32: Motion amending a board motion to appoint a supervisor to the Association of Bay Area Governments Executive Board was approved (roll call recorded, 8 ayes for the final motion to approve after excusing a member). - Item 35: A resolution standing with Muslim and Arab communities in the face of anti-Arab and anti-Muslim bus advertisements was adopted by roll call (9 ayes) after the item was severed for separate consideration.

Details and procedural notes: Several items were taken "same house, same call" and passed without further debate after unanimous or near-unanimous roll calls. Where recorded, the board used roll-call votes; multiple items were advanced on first reading when required. A few items were continued at request of absent supervisors.

Ending note: The board recessed for a special 3:30 p.m. ceremony honoring women in science, technology, engineering and math before resuming business and completing the calendar.