Planning commission recommends department budget and work program, approves minutes and continues election of officers

On Feb. 5, 2025, the San Francisco Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend the department's proposed budget and work program to the mayor's office, approved draft minutes from Jan. 15, 2025, and voted to continue the election of officers to the Feb. 19 meeting.

Deputy Director of Administration Deborah Landis presented the proposed budget and said the department had been asked to reduce its general-fund request by approximately $1.4 million. "We have been asked to, as I mentioned, reduce our general fund by 1,400,000.0," Landis told the commission. She said the department expects fee revenue to decline from roughly $36 million to $34 million and that grant funding lines show an anticipated increase because staff are pursuing several large grant awards. Landis also described a proposed increase of about 0.9 full-time equivalent positions focused on landmarks and National Register nominations within the preservation program.

Key numbers and program points

- General-fund reduction requested: approximately $1,400,000. - Fee revenue projection: decrease from about $36,000,000 to about $34,000,000. - Grants: staff said a few very large grants are anticipated; a HUD-related grant discussed in the hearing was described in conversation as including a $170 million program at a high level, but Landis said not all of that sum would flow to the Planning Department and grant awards are not final. - Preservation staffing: proposed increase of approximately 0.9 FTE for landmark and National Register work. - Equipment: an IT replacement item was proposed for equipment that has lacked maintenance since 2018.

Commission discussion and public questions

Commissioners asked about the reliability of anticipated grants and contingency plans if grants do not materialize. Landis said one large grant award had been received and that the Planning Commission's current work program is not predicated on grant dollars; if grant funding does not appear, the department would pivot by scaling or reprioritizing projects. "No aspect of the HPC's current work program is predicated on receiving those grants," a planning staff member said during the exchange.

Commissioners also sought clarity about enforcement-fee revenue, and staff said enforcement funds are distinct from the general fund and must be spent on enforcement activities; revenue depends on complaints and other enforcement activity rather than budgeting choices.

Votes and motions at the meeting

- Adoption of draft minutes from Jan. 15, 2025: Motion made by Commissioner Foley, seconded by Commissioner Vergara; vote recorded as Commissioner Bridal (Aye), Commissioner Vergara (Yes), Commissioner Wright (Yes), Commissioner Foley (Aye), Commission President Matsuda (Yes). Outcome: passes 5-0.

- Continuance of election of officers to Feb. 19, 2025: Motion made by Commissioner Foley, seconded by Commissioner Wright; outcome: passes 5-0.

- Recommendation to adopt the proposed department budget and work program for transmittal to the mayor's office: Motion made by Commissioner Foley, seconded by Commissioner Wright; vote recorded as Commissioner Bridal (Aye), Commissioner Vergara (Yes), Commissioner Wright (Yes), Commissioner Foley (Aye), Commission President Matsuda (Aye). Outcome: passes 5-0.

Ending

The commission will transmit its recommendation to the mayor's office on Feb. 21, 2025, as part of the city's budget process. Landis summarized the submission and calendar: the mayor's office publishes the citywide budget in June and the Board of Supervisors finalizes the budget in July. Commissioners asked staff to continue to monitor grant awards and to identify which vacant positions would be subject to cuts as the mayor's office and controller finalize allocations.