Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Safe Sleeping Sites topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee tables Rec & Parks ordinance to inventory park and city property for "safe sleeping" sites after intense public comment
Summary
A proposed emergency ordinance directing Recreation & Parks to identify Rec & Park properties suitable for temporary safe sleeping sites drew sustained public comment both for and against using Golden Gate Park; the sponsor reached an agreement with Rec & Parks staff to produce lists and the committee voted to table the ordinance pending those reports.
The Land Use & Transportation Committee on May 18 opened extensive public comment on a sponsor‑introduced emergency ordinance that would require the Recreation & Parks Department to identify and report underused park and department property that could be used for temporary safe sleeping sites during the COVID‑19 emergency.
Sponsor Supervisor Feuer told the committee that the goal is to identify sites that meet public‑health specifications (marked spaces for tents or safe sleeping, bathrooms, handwashing stations, meals, trash removal, janitorial services and 24/7 staffing), and emphasized that the legislation would not authorize unfettered camping or mandate any particular site. She said the action defers siting decisions to the Rec & Parks General Manager, who knows department properties best.
General Manager Phil Ginsberg and Real Estate Director Rico Penick both told the committee they would prepare written reports identifying underused Rec & Parks land and other city properties respectively; Director Penick committed to a June 2 deadline for his report. During sponsor remarks, Professor (presenter) and staff cited the mayor’s earlier hotel goal and the city’s current hotel utilization as context for seeking additional options.
Public comment ran for several hours and reflected a sharp split. Supporters — including unhoused advocates, tenants’ organizations and several service providers — urged the city to evaluate all available public land and indoor alternatives in addition to hotels and argued that safe, staffed outdoor sites (or other underused public property) could save lives by providing isolation and services to people who cannot safely shelter in SROs or on sidewalks. Opponents, including many nearby residents and park advocates, said Golden Gate Park should not be used for tent encampments, warned of sanitation and safety risks and urged alternatives such as the Cow Palace, stadium parking lots, the Port’s vacant land, or indoor facilities.
Given the divisive public comment and an outreach agreement Supervisor Feuer reported she had reached with Rec & Parks and Real Estate staff, the sponsor requested the matter be tabled so the departments could provide site inventories and implementation detail. The committee approved the motion to table by roll call (Preston — Aye; Safaie — Aye; Peskin — Aye). The matter is tabled pending the reports and will be revisited by the committee.
