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Planning Department presents steady budget, proposes dedicated ADU position
Summary
Planning Department staff told the commission the department—s budget for FY 2018—19 and 2019—20 will be largely steady, and proposed one new ADU-focused position funded from increased ADU application fees; commissioners asked for more detail about staffing, grants and rent impacts tied to a planned move.
The San Francisco Planning Department presented its initial proposed budget for fiscal years 2018—19 through 2019—20 at the Planning Commission—s Jan. 25 meeting, saying the department expects largely steady revenues and only modest changes to its work program.
Deputy Director Deborah Landis said the mayor—s budget guidance required a 2.5 percent reduction in general fund support and no new positions citywide, but the department is proposing one new partial/full-time equivalent position (0.77 FTE in 2018—19) dedicated to processing accessory dwelling unit (ADU) applications. Landis said the ADU position would be funded by increased fee revenue tied to a sharp rise in ADU applications; staff estimated roughly 500 ADU applications a year and said the position would be covered by fees rather than ongoing general-fund support.
Landis gave an overview of projected revenues and expenditures, noting that project-fee revenue that surged in prior years has plateaued. She said one-time impact-fee receipts that supported the current year—s Railyard Alignment project (about $3.8 million) will not recur, and the department is planning to use deferred credits and expenditure savings to balance the current year. Landis also flagged a planned office move to 49 South Van Ness with an estimated one-time rent placeholder of about $500,000 and a continuing rent increase thereafter.
Commissioners pressed staff on several details. Commissioner Melgar asked for clarification of the difference between "non-personnel services" (contracts, software licensing) and "services to other departments" (work the Planning Department performs for the Port, Airport or others). Landis said the latter reflects fee-for-service work performed for other city agencies and is distinct from contracts and licensing costs. Commissioners also asked how code-enforcement and city-attorney costs are allocated; staff said those charges are generally billed to the referring agency but offered to follow up with DBI and the City Attorney for specifics.
Commissioners asked how the department will track priorities and staff time across work-plan items; staff said they will present a more detailed work-plan mapping at the next meeting and will report monthly on action items. The commission also asked for further details on anticipated grant funding (Landis said the department is pursuing roughly $2.25 million in grants, including sea-level rise funding) and said they wanted clearer line items for planned capital and equipment tied to the move.
The department will return with an updated packet and clarifications ahead of the Feb. 21 deadline to submit budget recommendations to the mayor. No formal commission action was taken at the Jan. 25 initial hearing.
