Committee advances Better Streets code changes; sponsor to duplicate file for parking-minimum removal

The Better Streets-related ordinance (Item 2) was presented Oct. 22 to require developers to construct standardized streetscape improvements under the city's Better Streets plan, revise triggers that require such improvements, clarify recommended sidewalk widths and expand curb-cut restrictions on designated transit and bike network streets.

Supervisor Jane Kim described this package as the product of two years of work, citing goals in the Better Streets plan, Vision Zero, Transit First and Complete Streets. Planning staff explained technical changes including raising the change-of-use trigger from 10,000 to 25,000 square feet in certain contexts, aligning the city's bike-network definition with code, and reestablishing 155R to indicate streets where conditional use authorization is required for curb cuts.

Supporters including Livable City, Walk San Francisco and other pedestrian and bicycle advocates testified in favor, calling out past project failures (e.g., 340 Bryant) that slipped through without improvements and urging elimination of minimum parking requirements. Planning noted the ordinance also consolidates certain Planning Commission hearings so some projects need only one rather than multiple appearances.

Supervisor Kim asked the City Attorney to draft a duplicate file that would undo recent NCS changes and direct the City Attorney to prepare language to eliminate minimum parking requirements citywide; the committee agreed to duplicate the file and to return to the item after legal guidance.

Procedural outcome: the committee advanced the item and directed staff to produce a duplicate file to pursue the broader parking-minimum question; the main amended ordinance will move forward to the full Board with a positive recommendation.