Board upholds planning departmentexemption for Mid-Valencia curbside bikeway after hourslong hearing

Acting President Shamann Walton presided over a public hearing on January 28, 2025, and the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted to affirm the Planning Department's finding that the Municipal Transportation Agency's Mid-Valencia curbside protected bikeway is statutorily exempt from environmental review under CEQA section 21080.25. Supervisor Fielder moved to affirm the determination and Supervisor Dorsey seconded; the motion passed on a roll-call vote after public testimony, with the clerk recording 10 ayes and the item approved (item 26). Items 27 and 28 were tabled.

Why it matters: The Mid-Valencia project would relocate an existing two-way center-running bike lane to curbside, class 4 protected lanes from 15th to 23rd streets, remove or relocate parking and parklets in places, and change curb uses. Supporters say the redesign improves safety and provides easier access to businesses for people on bikes; opponents say the project risks harming a historic commercial corridor, reduces parking and was announced with inadequate notice to merchants. The Board's decision clears the way for SFMTA to implement the curbside design, though construction was delayed while the appeal was heard.

The appellants, represented by Julio Ramos, argued the project meets statutory exceptions and requires fuller environmental review. Ramos said the project could "impact a historical resource" and described Valencia Street as part of multiple historic districts; he argued the loss of more than 150 parking spaces and the project's effect on merchants and customers raised equity and access concerns.

Merchants who spoke at the hearing said outreach left them little time to review final plans and that the street remains fragile after the pandemic. Merchant David Quimby said he met "200 merchants on the Valencia corridor" and described businesses as feeling "steamrolled" by the implementation of earlier configurations. Multiple business owners said customers were finding it harder to park and that some storefronts had closed since the pandemic.

Planning Department senior environmental planner Jennifer McKellar told the board the department's factual findings show the project meets the statutory exemption created by state law (SB 922/SB 288). McKellar said the statutory exemption differs from a categorical exemption and is reviewed under a "substantial evidence" standard rather than the "fair argument" standard that applies to categorical exemptions. The department recommended the board deny the appeal and affirmed that required posting and notices were completed.

SFMTA project manager Paul Stanis summarized the agency's outreach and safety rationale. Stanis said the agency tested a center-running configuration and then pivoted to a curbside protected design after a year of study and public engagement and that the curbside design reduced crash risk for cyclists and pedestrians. "We expect that construction should last between 2-3 months, weather permitting," Stanis said, and described a weekly outreach and "open for business" marketing campaign to support merchants during construction.

Board action and next steps: Supervisor Fielder moved to affirm the Planning Department's statutory-exemption determination (item 26); Supervisor Dorsey seconded. Acting President Walton presided because President Mandelman recused himself from the item. After public comment and department presentations, the board approved the motion (item 26) and tabled the conditional-reversal motions (items 27 and 28). The Planning Department and SFMTA said construction planning would continue; SFMTA said it plans further merchant outreach and timing to minimize economic disruption.

Voices at the hearing reflected the split: bicycle-safety advocates urged a prompt denial of the appeal so work could proceed; many merchants and taxi drivers asked the board to delay or redesign to preserve parking and curb access. The boards decision applies the statutory exemption under CEQA section 21080.25 and leaves open follow-up work on parking management and business mitigation measures.