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Board advances $400,000 appropriation from Little Hollywood property exchange for park planning
Summary
The board approved on first reading a $400,000 appropriation from revenue generated by a property exchange to fund open-space planning and predevelopment in the Showplace Square/Little Hollywood area, after debate about surplus-property rules and whether proceeds should go to the affordable-housing fund.
The Board of Supervisors on March 9 approved the first reading of an ordinance appropriating $400,000 in revenues from a Little Hollywood property exchange to fund park and open-space planning in city departments, including City Planning, Recreation and Parks, and Public Works.
Supervisor Maxwell, sponsor of the appropriation, said the exchange corrects an ownership gap to make Little Hollywood Park whole and that the proceeds are intended for predevelopment and design of priority open-space projects in the Showplace Square area. She told the board the Channel Street parcel involved in the exchange was an "unaccepted, unused" street right-of-way and not surplus property listed by the city administrator.
Nut graf: The item passed on a 7-3 roll call after supervisors including Daley and Avalos said proceeds from surplus-property sales should go to the affordable-housing fund and objected to the disposition. Sponsors said the exchange involved non-developable right-of-way in an industrial zone and that dedicating these particular proceeds to open-space planning responds to a community-identified need.
Supervisor Daley said he would vote no because the move undercut the city's surplus-property ordinance that directs proceeds to affordable-housing funds. Supervisor Avalos also voted no, saying the surplus-proceeds principle should apply. Maxwell and supporters stressed the parcel's special status as an unused right-of-way and that the exchange enabled park improvements that the community prioritized.
On roll call the ordinance passed first reading with seven ayes and three noes. Several supervisors asked that future surplus-property rules be revisited; a few suggested revising the surplus-property ordinance to avoid similar disputes.
Ending: The appropriation returns for final reading under normal ordinance timelines. Departments named in the measure will coordinate planning and predevelopment activities for the identified neighborhood open-space projects.
