Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Airport Signage topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Rules Committee amends signage rules to ensure 'Harvey Milk Terminal' is prominent at SFO and forwards ordinance to board
Summary
The Rules Committee approved amendments to an ordinance requiring prominent exterior lettering at San Francisco International Airportso "Harvey Milk Terminal" appears visibly on Terminal 1 signage; the committee increased the relative size of the Terminal 1 label and added a clause requiring "Harvey Milk" to appear equal to or larger than "Terminal 1."
The San Francisco Rules Committee voted on March 11 to forward an amended ordinance to the full Board of Supervisors that requires prominent exterior lettering for the newly renamed Harvey Milk Terminal (Terminal 1) at San Francisco International Airport.
Chair Supervisor Hillary Ronan, who introduced the legislation she carried forward from former Supervisor David Campos, said the ordinance is intended to ensure the airportnot just interior art"clearly" proclaims the terminal—s name so visitors know the city—s tribute to Harvey Milk. Ronan proposed and the committee adopted an amendment to increase the relative height of the Terminal 1 label on the primary exterior sign from 50% to 75% of the Harvey Milk lettering and to add a requirement that "wherever signage identifying Terminal 1 appears on the interior or exterior of the terminal or airport, the words Harvey Milk shall appear in equal or greater height." The amendments passed "without objection."
Airport Director Ivor Sattero presented visual studies showing three options: a prominent approach-end sign with "Harvey Milk Terminal" in four-foot letters and a smaller "Terminal 1" (two-foot or three-foot alternatives), or an approach treatment that emphasizes the Harvey Milk name with reinforcing Terminal 1 signage further down the building. Sattero explained the airport—s wayfinding responsibilities and the operational complexity of changing signage across the facility, noting on the record that roughly "150 signs" would be affected by a comprehensive change.
Former Supervisor David Campos, who originated the idea, told the committee he believed the airport commission had resisted the naming and urged supervisors to "hold your ground." Stuart Milk, nephew of Harvey Milk, said the family had not been contacted by the airport and called the design proposals a missed opportunity to honor Milk—s legacy. Members of the public and community groups, including the Southern LGBTQ Cultural District, praised the ordinance and urged that Harvey Milk—s name be highly visible.
In response to public concern, Ronan said she would not withdraw the legislation but sought a compromise to address wayfinding while preserving prominence for the Harvey Milk name. The committee accepted the 75% amendment and the equal-or-greater-height clause as that compromise.
The committee then voted to forward the amended ordinance to the full Board of Supervisors with a positive recommendation. The record shows the committee adopted the amendments and moved the ordinance forward "without objection." The ordinance as amended will next be considered by the full Board.
Procedural notes: the committee also filed two Treasure Island bylaws items that were not properly before this body, and it moved two appointments with positive recommendations: the item appointing Supervisor Gordon Maher to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District was called out of order and handled, and Supervisor Shamone Walton—s appointment to the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board was forwarded with recommendation.
