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Planning Commission initiates 2013 Recreation and Open Space Element; public commenters urge stronger protections for trees and recreation
Summary
The commission voted to initiate General Plan amendments to adopt the 2013 Recreation and Open Space Element (ROSE) and set a Feb. 27 hearing, extending the public comment deadline to Jan. 25; public commenters supported equity and access but raised concerns about native-plant restoration, tree removal and herbicide use.
On Jan. 9, 2014 the San Francisco Planning Commission voted to initiate amendments to the San Francisco General Plan to reflect the 2013 Recreation and Open Space Element (ROSE) and set a public hearing, closing a staff presentation and a lengthy public comment period.
Planning Department staff (Sue Exline) described ROSE as a high-level policy document—distinct from the planning code—that updates the city’s open-space objectives from the 1986 element. Key changes include an emphasis on equity and access, a new Green Connections network to link open spaces, clarified acquisition and renovation priorities for high-needs areas, and a stronger focus on community engagement. Staff proposed a schedule that would post the draft online and open a four-week comment period, hold an informational hearing before the Recreation & Park Commission and seek a hearing before the Planning Commission on Feb. 27, pending environmental review.
Public comment was extensive and mixed. Supporters — including the Trust for Public Land, Parks Alliance and the San Francisco Parks Alliance — commended the process and the draft’s emphasis on equity and future open-space planning. Several speakers, including the Golden Gate Park Preservation Alliance and members of the San Francisco Forest Alliance, urged revisions:
"The ROSE still ignores the impact of large-scale crowd events ... and favors certain city documents over others," Kathryn Howard of the Golden Gate Park Preservation Alliance said, asking for stronger preservation language for historic parkland.
Forest-alliance speakers warned that sections of the draft could be interpreted to justify removal of significant stands of trees in natural areas and criticized the Natural Areas Program’s proposed use of herbicides. Robin Scherer asked that the plan explicitly protect trees in natural areas and avoid language that would allow large-scale removals without clear standards.
Commissioners discussed definitions (for example, "high-needs" versus "growth" areas), the map presentation, and whether the element should explicitly reference Plan Bay Area population projections. Commissioner Antonini moved to initiate amendments to the general plan to reflect the ROSE and to set hearing and comment dates. The initiation motion passed in recorded roll call with Commissioner Sugaya voting no. Commissioners later set the hearing for Feb. 27 and extended the public comment deadline to Jan. 25.
Staff will accept written comments by the posted deadline and return to the Recreation & Park Commission for an informational hearing before returning to the Planning Commission for later action and possible adoption by reference.
