Board approves Market-Octavia general-plan amendment on first reading; planning-code work to follow

The Board of Supervisors voted to approve a general-plan amendment that adds the Market-Octavia Area Plan to the city's General Plan on first reading, a procedural step that allows subsequent planning-code and map amendments to proceed.

Supervisor Mirkarimi (referred to on the floor as Supervisor Mercarimi) and other members emphasized the amendment begins a multi-step process rather than concluding it. Several supervisors noted the recent California Supreme Court decision about environmental-review requirements for housing elements and requested a city-attorney opinion about whether the current record and prior environmental work comply with that ruling; the city attorney supplied written guidance to the board and staff.

Members said the substantive work — including changes to implementing planning and zoning code, Community Advisory Committee structure, affordability and community benefits — remains before the Land Use Committee and the Planning Department. Supervisor McGoldrick, who chaired the committee, urged colleagues that while the general-plan amendment is on a legal timetable, substantial code work and public hearings will follow and the board will have opportunities to refine affordability and other protections.

The board accepted a nonsubstantive amendment prepared by the city attorney and passed the general-plan amendment on first reading (roll call: nine ayes recorded). Planning staff will return with implementing zoning and map amendments and additional committee hearings; the board noted its intent to pursue code amendments to address housing affordability, transportation and other community concerns as the implementing work proceeds.

(Notes: Item 44 was approved on first reading; committee-level code amendments and implementing actions remain pending.)