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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 disability advocates pressed for enforceable minimum clearances and stronger inspection protocols. Several speakers—a mix of disability-rights advocates and engineers—urged the committee to require an unobstructed pedestrian path (Supervisor Melgar proposed an 8-foot unobstructed path on sidewalks 12 feet or wider, and at least 6 feet where narrower), mandatory signage with multilingual complaint instructions, and rolling biennial audits by core agencies.
Second, supervisors disagreed about which city department should house core program coordination. Supervisor Aaron Peskin urged that Public Works ' which manages encroachments and the public right-of-way ' should be the lead agency, arguing DPW has long-term stewardship of streets and enforcement capacity. Others, including Chair Melgar, favored keeping the program at Planning for programmatic oversight and better cross-departmental data management. Committee members agreed to a set of amendments that harmonized many accessibility and process items but reserved the agency-home question for further caucus discussion.
Public comment and business concerns
More than 50 callers offered public comment. The vast majority of business owners and hospitality trade groups urged permanence, fee waivers through 2022 (and some urged through 2023), and minimal added compliance that would block investments already made. Disability advocates and community groups pressed for stronger, enforceable accessibility provisions and meaningful equity outreach for immigrant-owned small businesses. Supervisors accepted a compromise path in which businesses could operate parklets during their hours, but permit conditions would require public access and minimum seating outside of business hours; enforcement, signage and rolling audits were added to the ordinance.
What the committee did
The committee adopted a package of amendments addressing minimum sidewalk path width, required signage (including multi-lingual complaint instructions), and rolling minimum inspections/audits by core agencies. Several amendments were moved and approved by roll call. To give staff time to integrate the changes and resolve outstanding jurisdictional language, the committee continued final action on the ordinance to a June 18 special meeting and instructed staff to prepare a consolidated draft.
What to watch for
The committee flagged several follow-ups: an interagency corridor assessment by MTA this summer to map conflicts with bus/bike lanes and city paving; DBI/DPW regulatory updates on ADA compliance; and a consolidated ordinance packet for the June 18 meeting. Supervisors indicated support for continued fee relief for small businesses while the program stabilizes.
