Planning Commission backs Supervisor Chan’s rezoning notice ordinance with staff modifications

The San Francisco Planning Commission on March 20 recommended approval of an ordinance introduced by Supervisor Connie Chan that would require mailed notice and enhanced online materials when the city adopts housing-element rezoning, while asking staff and the supervisor to continue refining the draft language and funding approach.

The commission voted 5 to 2 to recommend approval with staff modifications. Commissioners Campbell and McGarry voted No. The ordinance would require a 30‑day mailed notice to property owners, residents and commercial lessees within proposed rezoning areas and within a 300‑foot radius; an interactive departmental web page with maps and renderings; and minimum formatting requirements for mailed notices. Planning staff supported the goals of increased engagement but asked for changes to narrow mailing scope, reduce prescriptive language and clarify rendering requirements because the draft rezoning map covers thousands of acres and would impose substantial new costs and staff time.

Supervisor Connie Chan introduced the proposal as a “right to know” measure. “For everyday residents it’s very difficult to track…what is happening to their homes,” she told the commission, and said the…