Supervisors refer permit for large Mission Street billboard to land use committee amid planning concerns

The Board of Supervisors voted to refer a proposed permit for installation and maintenance of a 3,000-square-foot wall sign at 1650 Mission Street (between the city and Total Outdoor Corporation) back to the Land Use Committee for further review.

Supervisor Olague (Olague), who raised the referral, said the projected minimum revenue of $324,000 was lower than amounts earned in previous years and that the planning and land-use implications of the large billboard "have not been properly vetted in a public forum." Olague asked that the item be returned to Land Use to allow the Planning Department an opportunity to review the signage from a land-use perspective and to permit more public comment.

Supporters of the referral included Supervisor Wiener, who said he would back additional public process and more information about the revenue changes; Supervisor Campos, who seconded the referral motion, said the move was not an opposition to the project but a request for further public review. Supervisor Kim moved from an initial intent to oppose the referral to supporting more study after considering the land-use perspective.

Opponents of referral included President Chiu, who said the proposal had already been considered through a competitive process and budget committee review and argued for taking the vote on the permit that day.

A roll-call vote on the motion to refer passed 8 ayes and 3 noes. The clerk announced "The motion to refer passes." The Land Use Committee will review the permit for additional public process and planning analysis before the board considers final action.