Rules Committee forwards Mel Murphy nomination to Port Commission after review of permitting issue

Mel Murphy, nominated to the San Francisco Port Commission, told the Rules Committee he seeks to promote job creation, waterfront access and revitalization while protecting port assets. Murphy highlighted projects such as Development Lot 337 beside Pier 48 and the Pier 70 master plan, and described the Port’s 600+ acres of jurisdiction.

Supervisors asked Murphy about a recent newspaper article and a permitting error on one of his projects. Murphy said his project manager failed to pick up some addendums in late 2012; he paid pending fees in January 2013 and retained an independent engineer to investigate procedurally how the lapse occurred. He told the committee the total permit value for the project was approximately $300,000, that half the notice-of-violation had been paid when first discussed and that the violation had been abated by the time of the hearing. Murphy said he accepted responsibility and emphasized he was putting the project back on track.

Public testimony was extensive and predominantly supportive: dozens of speakers, including former colleagues from the Building Inspection Commission and business and neighborhood representatives, urged the committee to forward his nomination, praising his leadership, job-creation record and prior service. Supervisors who questioned Murphy acknowledged the seriousness of the permitting lapse but said his prompt corrective actions and transparency were compelling. The committee moved to forward Murphy’s nomination to the full Board with a recommendation.