Committee backs temporary exemption for storefronts hit by public infrastructure work

The Land Use and Transportation Committee of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted July 22 to forward an ordinance amending the city building code to exempt storefronts left vacant because of public infrastructure construction from the city's vacant-storefront registration requirements.

Supervisor Connie Chan (District 1), the bill's sponsor, told the committee the proposal adds a third exemption to the existing vacant-storefront rules for cases where public infrastructure or construction activity blocks access to a ground-floor retail space. Under the amendment, owners or leaseholders may submit evidence to the Department of Public Works documenting construction-related impacts that last more than 30 days; if accepted, the exemption would apply for 180 days at a time.

"This amendment is meant to address this issue, for a period of 180 days," Chan said, arguing that major public projects can create disproportionate impacts that are beyond the control of building owners and small-business leaseholders.

The ordinance retains two existing exemptions: when there is an active building permit for repairs or rehabilitation of the storefront, and when an application for a change of occupancy has been filed. The new exemption would be specifically for interruptions caused by public infrastructure construction or maintenance that prevent leasing or normal access.

There were no public speakers on the item. Chair Mirna Melgaard moved to adopt the sponsor's circulated amendments and send the ordinance as amended to the full Board as a committee report; the clerk recorded three ayes and announced the motion passed. The item is expected to appear on the Board of Supervisors agenda on July 30, 2024.