Planning Commission delays rules changes after public objections to notice

The San Francisco Planning Commission on Jan. 8 delayed action on proposed amendments to its rules and regulations after commissioners and dozens of public commenters said the changes had not been circulated with enough lead time.

Commissioner Catherine Moore, who pushed for more consideration, said the public letter from the City Attorney about the Academy of Art and other procedural concerns merited further internal discussion and wider public outreach. "I received a note from the public asking that we consider changing item ... that we change from stair to staircase," Moore said, underscoring how small drafting choices had produced public confusion. Several residents and neighborhood advocates said they had not seen the redlined rules and that notices issued over the holiday period were effectively unreadable.

Department staff said the procedural edits were largely non-substantive and were intended to clarify submittal procedures; the secretary noted the redlined text had been linked to the day's agenda but that hearing submittal guidelines were newly consolidated for convenience. However, public commenters including Sue Hester and Bob Plantehold argued the public did not get adequate substantive notice and asked for a continuance. "I don't think you've given notice," Hester said, asking that the commission schedule a hearing date when the public can meaningfully review the changes.

Commissioners debated whether to begin detailed line-by-line edits in an open meeting or to form a small subcommittee to work with staff and solicit written public input. Commissioner Fong and others recommended a subcommittee and suggested collecting written suggestions before wordsmithing in public. Commissioner Antonini urged balancing timely process against excessive delay.

On a motion by Commissioner Antonini — seconded and amended with a stated intention to return an updated packet to commissioners — the body voted unanimously to continue the item to Feb. 12, 2015, and to pursue formation of a small subcommittee and additional public outreach. The commission instructed staff to try to make the department's proposed redlines and any EIR addendum (when relevant) available to the public at least two weeks before future hearings where possible.

The continuance gives the Planning Commission time to collect written comments, convene the suggested subcommittee and produce a revised rules packet for public review before any final vote.