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Planning Department says Shared Spaces program has nearly 2,000 applications; staff outlines equity and sustainability steps
Summary
Planning Department staff told the commission the Shared Spaces program has received almost 2,000 applications in four months, with about three-quarters approved; staff outlined equity targeting, potential materials grants and a 72-hour turnaround goal while noting the program is currently authorized under emergency orders through December 2020.
Robin Abadak Abila, a planning department staffer leading the city—s interagency shared-spaces team, told the Planning Commission on Sept. 10 that the program has been a rapid-response effort of the Mayor—s office, OEWD, SFMTA, DPW and digital services to keep small businesses operating during the COVID-19 public-health emergency.
"In the barely the short four months that the program has been active, the city's received almost 2,000 applications," Abila said, adding that about "three quarters of all the applications" submitted so far have been approved. She said the city aims to review sidewalk, curbside and on-parcel applications within about 72 hours.
The department—s presentation, which included an interactive public dashboard at sf.gov/sharedspacestracker, outlined the program—s goals: expedite approvals, prioritize equity, reduce cost barriers and ensure public-health and life-safety protections. Abila said the program is fee-free and currently operates under mayoral emergency orders that, as of the presentation, set the program to expire in December 2020.
Staff described several equity and sustainability strategies under development: targeted technical assistance in priority neighborhoods (using Invest Neighborhoods, cultural-district boundaries and MTC —communities of concern—), multilingual outreach, partnerships with neighborhood organizations such as Livable City and the Bicycle Coalition, and potential materials grants to help merchants acquire barricades and furnishings. Abila said the city is exploring shifting from complaint-driven enforcement toward more proactive monitoring and noted revocation as a final recourse for operators who behave "egregiously."
Commissioners pressed staff on whether parts of the program could continue beyond the emergency authority. Abila said two main pathways exist: further emergency declarations if a public-health state remains in effect, or a broader legislative effort to reconcile planning, public-works, transportation and police-code changes required to make elements permanent.
Public commenters and departmental partners raised operational questions: a San Francisco DPW representative asked staff to coordinate removal of newsrack pedestals that conflict with some installations; several commissioners urged more detailed impact data and a plan for distributing any future materials grants. Abila said a citywide impact survey is forthcoming to measure employment and other outcomes for participating businesses.
The presentation concluded with staff promising to refine design guidance for seasonal weather, ADA access and first-responder needs and to work with OEWD on accessible grant application processes.
The commission did not take action on the briefing; staff said the Small Business Commission and Economic Recovery Task Force are considering longer-term extensions and that the Planning Commission would be able to continue to advise and participate in policy discussions.
