Rules Committee backs two Board of Appeals nominees, mayor withdraws another

The Rules Committee on July 19 recommended two mayoral nominees to the Board of Appeals and recorded that a third proposed appointment was withdrawn by the Mayor's Office.

Anne Lazarus, a native San Franciscan and eight-year Port Commission member, told the committee she would approach Board of Appeals cases with preparation and an eye toward compromise. Supervisors asked about her willingness to consider broader community impacts in quasi‑judicial proceedings; Lazarus said she would look at cases in context and work with colleagues to surface missing facts.

Supervisor Farrell moved and Supervisor Campos seconded a motion to forward Lazarus' appointment with a committee recommendation; the motion carried without objection. The item was scheduled for a full board hearing on July 24.

Frank Fung, a reappointment to the Board of Appeals (term through July 1, 2016), described an architecture and planning background that he said equips him to handle planning and building appeals. Supervisor Campos moved to approve the reappointment and Supervisor Farrell seconded; the committee approved the reappointment without opposition.

Separately, the committee was notified that the mayor had withdrawn the nomination of Kevin Chang to the Board of Appeals. A public commenter opposed reviving that appointment citing development practices; the committee agreed to continue the item to the call of the chair.

All three items were handled as committee reports or continuances as appropriate, and the favorable recommendations will be considered by the full Board of Supervisors.