Tag Archives: Dolores Heights

Attend D8 Town Hall on Upzoning – Monday, September 9 at 6 pm

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In November 2023, the SF Planning Department published this current proposed map which doubles height limits along Church Street, 24th Street and other areas of District 8.  Combined with SB 423’s “ministerial” approval of residential projects (see article below), it opens the door to tall luxury condos and hinders the construction of affordable housing.  To learn why upzoning is the wrong solution for D8 (& SF), come to the D8 Town Hall on Housing sponsored by DHIC and other D8 neighborhood groups on Monday, Sept. 9 at 6pm at the Noe Valley Ministry (1021 Sanchez Street.)

Want to know more now?  The proposed map was driven by the State’s mandate that SF produce 82,000 new housing units by 2031.  But wait, San Francisco has over 73,000 permitted projects in its pipeline, including 16,000 affordable units. And in 2022, the Board of Supervisors up zoned – allowing four-plexes on single family lots and six-plexes on all residential corner lots – creating capacity for over 480,000 more housing units.  Moreover, the State Density Bonus law provides additional height when projects include at least 10% affordable units.  

So where’s the housing shortage?  The SF Planning Department has since announced that SF only needs 36,200 additional housing units (beyond those in the pipeline.)  However, 80% of these need to be affordable housing.

San Francisco doesn’t lack sites for housing.  It lacks subsidies for affordable housing and favorable interest rates and construction costs for market-rate housing. Cities themselves do not construct housing.  Instead, they issue permits for housing projects. Current economic factors and lack of affordable housing subsidies, rather than zoning restrictions, primarily influence the slow pace of construction in San Francisco.

Simply put, an “upzoning” plan to double height limits and disregard public input is radical and will not benefit the city’s residents or small businesses. Rather, such moves would destroy our neighborhoods and displace the people and local businesses that make San Francisco special. A top-down, one-size-fits-all approach to zoning undermines the vibrant character of our amazing neighborhoods. 

Attend the D8 Town Hall on Housing – Monday, September 9 at 6pm at the Noe Valley Ministry. 

SB 423: You’ve Lost Your Voice on Adjacent Housing Projects

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What if you wake up one morning to a construction site next door – with no warning or discussion?  It can happen.   

SB 423, one of scores of housing bills passed by our state senator, Scott Wiener, deprives neighbors of the tools to give input on nearby projects.  And starting this July, the state is applying this law to San Francisco, and San Francisco alone, because of last-minute language inserted into the bill by Senator Wiener.  

What does this mean?  The tools … in place for over 40 years to provide neighbors with a voice in housing projects affecting them  … are abolished for most projects:

  • No neighborhood notification of proposed projects near your property
  • No pre-application meeting where project sponsors are required to review the project scope and plans with neighbors, answer their questions, and discuss areas of concern
  • No discretionary review process in which affected neighbors can appeal a project that has negative impacts on their property and be heard at the Planning Commission 
  • No Planning Commission review of demolitions or monster homes

Developers are already taking advantage of SB 423’s preventing neighbors from having any voice in housing projects.   The San Francisco Chronicle reported that “one market-rate developer intends to line up paperwork in the next few weeks to take advantage of SB423. Developer Chris Foley plans to submit an application for a 200-unit, 23-story tower … in Castro neighborhood at 1965 Market Street [the current FedEx Office location.]”  

DHIC has a long history of involvement in planning and land use.  We will continue to advocate for balanced development and against policies that enrich developers at the expense of the communities where they are building. 

For more information or to get involved, email PLU@doloresheights.org 

Meet Mayoral Candidates & Your Neighbors at the DHIC FallFest

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Saturday, September 28

DHIC’s Fallfest, our annual neighborhood block party, is happening on Saturday, September 28 from 11am to 1pm on Sanchez Street between 21st and Hill Streets.  Everyone is welcome!

The FallFest will feature two mayoral candidates: Mayor London Breed and President of the Board of Supervisors, Aaron Peskin.  Mayor Breed will join us at 11:30am for 30 minutes of talk and Q&A. Supervisor Peskin will do the same from 12:15-12:45 pm. 

Join us to meet your neighbors, learn about our activities, hear from our Supervisor Rafael Mandelman and the mayoral candidates, and participate in our great raffle.  

This is an-all volunteer event.  If you can help, email us at info@doloresheights.org

Here’s what’s on tap for you:

  • View the historic Dolores Heights photos
  • Join your neighborhood block safety group
  • Get safety and security handouts; talk with savvy neighbors about home safety
  • Learn about the proposed mural project at 20th and Noe Streets
  • Meet the people behind the Green Gardens monthly hillside clean-ups
  • Bring your kids to “Kids Korner” activities
  • Hear from our District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman

And enter the raffle to win gift cards to great area restaurants and other services! (Note the raffle drawing will occur at 12:45pm.  You must be present to win.) 

SAVE THE DATE: DISTRICT 8 NEIGHBORHOOD MAYORAL FORUM

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Thursday, September 5

Thursday, September 5 at 6:30pm at the Randall Museum Theater:  All five major candidates are scheduled to participate. The forum is strictly a non-partisan, public education forum, organized by ten neighborhood groups. DHIC is proud to be a co-sponsor of this non-partisan forum along with nine other neighborhood associations from across District 8.  No sponsoring organization endorses any of the mayoral candidates. Doors open at 6pm.  Seating will be limited.  Mark your calendar for Sept. 5 at 6:30pm.    

Can you help out? Share your volunteer interest to make the forum a success. 

Dolores Hill Bomb Non-Violent This Year – with help from SFPD

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In late June, the nameless Hill Bombers posted on Instagram that the Dolores Hill Bomb is set for Saturday, July 6 at 7pm.  On July 1, SFPD Chief Scott and Supervsor Mandelman convened a meeting to hear from community members about the Hill Bomb in our neighborhood.   They sat and listened.  DHIC talked to them.  Carolyn Kenady, Chair of DHIC, specifically urged them to cancel this year’s Hill Bomb.  “It used to be a fun event … for the past six years, it’s been increasingly dangerous and violent – with too many injuries.”    She compared it to the recent Pride events in Dolores Park where thousands celebrated peacefully.  

DHIC asked the City to:

  • Stop the violent acts – no more assaults with projectiles, broken bottles, fireworks
  • Stop the vandalism – stop the destruction of City and private property.
  • Prevent arrests – especially bystanders and minors.
  • Stop this illegal event – stay away:  skateboarders, spectators, and those who vandalize and foment violence. 

On Saturday, July 6, the skateboarders and the police were both at Dolores Hill.  The boarders ended up riding down Church Street.  This year’s event was subdued.  DHIC asked Chief Scott and Supv. Mandelman to seek out skateboard community leaders who will organize a permitted event at a venue that can be safe and fun for all next year

Safer Together: DHIC Block Safety Groups & Home Defense 

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Dolores Heights has block groups covering nearly every block in our neighborhood.  We also have a network of block safety captains who share information across groups.

If you’re not on one of our block safety aliases, email info@doloresheights.org with your name and block/cross streets (e.g., 3600 block of 21st St between Church & Sanchez.)

Report any key safety alerts/incidents on your block safety alias.

If you’re seeking info on how to make your home more secure, one neighbor has summarized his home defense recommendations here.

DHIC has a safety page on its website with more information and links to resources. Join your local block safety group for more updates as they occur.  Email info@doloresheights.org.

Want to learn more about home security. Use this QR code to read a summary put together by a Dolores Heights neighbor.

APEC is coming to SF in November: What You Need to Know to Get Around

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San Francisco is proud to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). Approximately 30,000 people from over 20 countries are expected to attend this historic event, but traffic and public transit will be impacted throughout the City, including Dolores Heights.

While most APEC activities will take place in the South of Market and Nob Hill neighborhoods, APEC will impact travel throughout San Francisco, including Dolores Heights. The bulk of the travel and transit impacts will take place from November 14-19.

Due to high security, areas around events and activities will be closed to vehicles and pedestrians, except for event attendees or people who live or work within the security boundaries.

Streets and freeway ramps around SoMa and Nob Hill will be closed November 14 -19. These closures will result in significant traffic impacts.

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) is working hard to make sure that you can get where you need to go during APEC. But please expect congestion downtown, traffic delays, transit reroutes, delays and crowding on Muni during APEC and any additional conference-related events or activities.

Additional events may arise with little notice and may impact Muni routes, traffic and pedestrian access.

Predictions and third-party navigation apps may not display information properly during this period.

*We advise anyone traveling through San Francisco to allow ample time for travel and be prepared for possible delays.*

Visit the SFMTA website for up to date information.

SFMTA Info on APEC Traffic

Please Patronize the Merchants Who Donated Raffle Prizes

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Once again, generous local merchants and restauranteurs donated gift cards and other prizes for our annual raffle. Please patronize these businesses who support our neighborhood.  If you’re already a customer, please thank them for their donation to the DHIC raffle.  

DHIC Fallfest 2023 – a great neighborhood block party!

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On the bright and sunny Saturday, October 14, over 80 neighbors turned out  from throughout Dolores Heights.  They looked at great photos of Dolores Heights … from the earthquake era to today.  They talked with leaders of DHIC’s key priorities – Safety, Cleaning & greening our Green Spaces, and Planning and Land Use – and learned about how they can help support them.  Supervisor Rafael Mandelman recapped his key priorities and issues in the City.  And Dave Burke described his role as D8 Public Safety Liaison in the SFPD.  To top it off, we held the Great Raffle – with over ten prizes including gift cards to top restaurants in the Castro/SF.  

The photos give a glimpse of what went on.  We hope you were there and left with a better understanding of DHIC’s role in ensuring that Dolores Heights is great place to live and that our interests are represented at City Hall and with our elected supervisor and state legislators!  If you have questions or want to help, we want to hear from you!  Email us at info@doloresheights.org

Audrey’s Bench on Sanchez Hill Gets Annual Brush-up 

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One of our local landmarks is Audrey’s bench – at the southwest corner of Sanchez & 21st Streets. It recognizes the leadership of Audrey Rogers. She led the campaign that secured passage of the Dolores Heights Special Use District in 1980. She also obtained City upgrades, like moving utilities under ground.  

The bench was designed by acclaimed wood carver, J.B. Blunk. Her children who grew up at 3732 21st Street help to maintain it.   As they worked to clean the area and polish the wood bench on Sunday, August 20, neighbors walking by thanked them.  If you haven’t already, spend a few minutes seated in this beautiful memorial to a neighbor who led the effort to preserve the unique character of our neighborhood.  

Photo: Members of Audrey Rogers’ family hard at work.