Board continues Islais Creek Muni facility acquisition hearing after public concerns about eminent domain

San Francisco — The Board of Supervisors continued to Jan. 9, 2007 a hearing on proposed resolutions authorizing acquisition of 2.8 acres adjacent to city property at Indiana and Cesar Chavez Streets for construction of a Muni Islais Creek motor-coach operation and maintenance facility.

The item (14/15) included environmental findings under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Administrative Code chapter 31, and findings under the general plan and the Planning Code. Supervisor Maxwell advised the board that the MTA and parties requested a continuance to January. Several members of the public—environmental and neighborhood advocates—testified at the hearing, urging the board to withhold eminent-domain authorization until Muni completed assessments of alternatives.

Speakers from local environmental and community organizations told the board that Muni had not fully explored alternatives including decking over existing yards (Kirkland Yard and other properties), using other MTA land, or other asset-development approaches that might generate revenue. One speaker noted the resolution did not show whether the MTA had analyzed housing-over-decking options and said the agency should present a fuller alternatives analysis before the board considers eminent domain.

The board accepted the request to continue. A motion to continue the matter to the January 9, 2007 meeting was made by Supervisor Maxwell and seconded by Supervisor McGoldrick and was adopted. The board scheduled the continued hearing so interested parties and Muni could pursue additional review and community discussion prior to a final vote.