SFPUC outlines green‑infrastructure pilot projects and funding; committee asks for scaling plan

The committee held a hearing on the city’s green‑infrastructure program led by SFPUC staff.

Supervisor Scott Wiener framed the briefing by warning of more intense, less frequent storms and repeating flooding in neighborhoods like Cayuga Avenue. SFPUC presenters Sarah Minnick and Karen Kubik described the agency’s policy and project portfolio: the Stormwater Management Ordinance (5,000 sq ft threshold) has produced over 200 submitted stormwater control plans with an eventual footprint of roughly 1,700 acres and anticipated removal of more than 25,000,000 gallons of stormwater annually. Kubik said the agency has invested about $57,000,000 in early implementation projects and identified additional capital projects and incentive approaches; she said phase‑one of the source system improvement program is approximately $60,000,000.

SFPUC highlighted demonstration projects including the Wiggle (Haight) bioretention work, the Mission‑Valencia Green Gateway, and a Yosemite Creek daylighting effort designed to capture headwater flows for park irrigation. Staff emphasized the need for standardized designs, contractor training and interagency coordination; they proposed a stormwater fee with incentives to encourage private and public property owners to green impervious surface.

Supervisors pressed SFPUC on how the agency will scale projects citywide, what budget commitments exist beyond early demonstration funds, and how the PUC will prevent interagency delays. SFPUC said it intends to pursue an incentives/partnership model and pursue capital coordination with Rec & Park, SFUSD and DPW; staff also pointed to upcoming street‑scale projects tied to Van Ness BRT and Civic Center improvements.

The committee voted to continue the hearing to the call of the Chair to allow PUC time to develop a more expansive pipeline and delivery plan.