Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Board debate on codifying 'Shared Spaces' program splits supervisors over public access and which agency should lead
Summary
Supervisors and the public debated whether to make pandemic-era curbside/parklet permits permanent, who should run the program (Planning vs Public Works), how to guarantee ADA access (some supervisors proposed minimum 8-foot clear paths), and fee-waiver timelines. Committee adopted a package of accessibility and process amendments and continued final votes to a June 18 special meeting.
A large and often contentious portion of the May 17 Land Use Committee meeting centered on Item 3, an ordinance to rename and codify "Places for People" as a permanent Shared Spaces program.
What the ordinance would do
The legislation seeks to make permanent many pandemic-era curbside and sidewalk activations (parklets, temporary curb closures and commercial uses of the public right-of-way) by clarifying permitting pathways, establishing minimum programmatic requirements (public access, ADA considerations, notification), streamlining applications, and setting fees and waiver rules. Planning, MTA and Public Works staff presented a transition plan that includes equity grants funded by a City supplemental appropriation and a site-assessment program to identify conflicts with transit and Vision Zero goals.
Key debates in committee
Two issues dominated the committee debate. First, supervisors and…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
