San Francisco Approves Family Zoning Plan Amid Lawsuit Threats

UPDATE: The San Francisco Board of Supervisors has just approved Mayor Daniel Lurie’s Family Zoning Plan in a 6 to 4 vote, setting the stage for a dramatic overhaul of the city’s housing regulations. This significant decision, made without discussion, is poised to reshape residential development in the city’s western and northern neighborhoods.

The approval comes as the city faces a looming January 31 deadline to comply with state mandates, requiring plans for 36,200 additional homes by 2031. Failure to meet this target could result in losing $100 million annually in state funding and local development control.

Despite the approval, the Family Zoning Plan is far from settled, with threats of legal action emerging from various groups. Advocates and critics alike promise to pursue litigation against the plan, which has sparked intense debate over its potential impacts on housing affordability and neighborhood character. Supervisor Alan Wong, who was absent during the initial vote due to a medical appointment, expressed his support for the plan in earlier discussions.

The plan is seen as one of the most substantial changes to San Francisco’s land use regulations in over 50 years. It aims to address the city’s housing crisis by allowing for denser residential buildings along transit corridors, while maintaining height limits in most areas. However, critics argue it could lead to increased displacement of current residents and the demolition of existing homes in favor of luxury developments.

“The zoning was a big piece, and that part I’m really excited about,” said Jane Natoli, San Francisco organizing director for the pro-housing group YIMBY Action. Yet, she acknowledged, “we’re still going to have to do work to make sure that it’s actually successful.”

Supporters claim the upzoning is necessary to reverse decades of restrictive zoning that has driven housing prices sky-high. However, opponents like Christin Evans, a bookstore owner in Haight-Ashbury, warn that it may exacerbate the displacement crisis for lower-income residents. Evans is advocating for a potential June ballot measure aimed at protecting tenants in rent-controlled apartments.

The controversy surrounding the Family Zoning Plan is set against the backdrop of ongoing political races, including the upcoming election for a seat on the Board of Supervisors and the race to replace U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi. With housing affordability at the forefront of voter concerns, the plan is likely to be a key issue.

“The recently approved upzoning is not real planning,” stated Lori Brooke, founder of the coalition Neighborhoods United SF, who plans to file a lawsuit demanding further environmental review of the zoning changes. Brooke argues that the plan lacks necessary infrastructure requirements to support the anticipated growth.

In a statement, Supervisor Stephen Sherrill, who supported the plan, framed it as a critical step for San Francisco to meet its state obligations and create a more family-friendly city. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to tackle construction costs and enhance affordable housing.

Meanwhile, legal experts warn that if the Family Zoning Plan fails to produce sufficient housing, it could lead to a “builder’s remedy” scenario, where the city loses the ability to enforce local zoning regulations entirely. This would compel San Francisco to approve any development that meets basic safety standards, regardless of the height or density, further complicating the housing landscape.

The state Department of Housing and Community Development has indicated that the Family Zoning Plan is consistent with legal requirements, but the scrutiny and potential for litigation loom large.

As these developments unfold, San Francisco residents and stakeholders will be closely watching how the Family Zoning Plan impacts the city’s future housing landscape, affordability, and overall community integrity.

Stay tuned for more updates on this ongoing story as the implications of the Family Zoning Plan continue to unfold.