Tag Archives: Rafael Mandelman

2025 Fall Gathering Recap – Neighbors Meet New Police Captain & Legislative Aide

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On a warm sunny Saturday, Dolores Heights neighbors socialized and then met Captain Sean Perdomo, the new head of SFPD Mission Station.  They discussed safety concerns – the disruptive and illegal dirt bikes in the Dolores area, the  loud after-hours parties at Dolores Park, and speeding on neighborhood streets.  The Captain took notes and on Monday, Oct. 6 responded with these actions [excerpts from his email of October 6]:  

  1. Dirt Bikes. The Department’s using technology to aid in the apprehension of dirt bikers. At the station we have followed up and obtained an arrest/search warrant for a dirt biker on a previous incident at Dolores Park using the technology. I am tasking my plainclothes officers with more arrest/search warrants for those dirt bikers we can identify. Please encourage your members to call 911 to report a gathering of dirt bikers so that we can coordinate the drone.
  2. Traffic. Dave Burke identified the trouble areas and the intersections have been added to the Traffic Unit’s (motorcycles) daily enforcement activities. Please let me know if you see them in the area  … they are short staffed and are tasked with many dignitary visits. Captain Peter Shields of the traffic unit was notified. If they aren’t in the area much, I can assign a traffic car when staffing allows.
  3. Dolores Park Noise. I contacted Chief Murphy to have him evaluate placing rangers in places where they are most visible. The current challenge is the shift change that occurs at 2200 hours when the park closes. I’ll keep you posted on further. 

Supervisor Rafael Mandelman also spoke and took questions from neighbors.  And he introduced Sophie Marie (sophie.marie@sfgov.org), his newest Legislative Aide and our contact when we need assistance getting City action on filed complaints or finding out “who to contact” for a specific issue.  

We held our annual raffle and Fiona, a young resident, drew the winning tickets.  Neighborhood merchants donated eleven gift cards and bottles of wine & liquor which made the raffle a “hot ticket.”   Please patronize these donating businesses and thank them for their support:  Absinthe Restaurant Group, Poesia Restaurant, Canela Bistro and Wine Bar, Hot Johnnies, Castro Coffee, 17th Street Market, and a kind neighbor who donated two bottles of premium wine and tequila. 

Upzoning Legislation Hearing – September 11

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You should have received a postcard from SF Planning – with a QR code link to the proposed height and other zoning changes.  DHIC urges you to read details below and on the SF Planning site.  This proposed “rezoning of height and/or density” entails the most extensive and highest-impact changes possibly in the history of San Francisco’s planning code.  The plan will significantly affect Dolores Heights (expand this interactive map to ID changes to your lot.)  DHIC opposes this excessive upzoning.  We urge Dolores Heights residents to express your opinion to our elected officials  including our supervisor, Rafael Mandelman, and Mayor Lurie and to attend the Sept 11 hearing at 12 noon at City Hall, Room 400.  Following the Planning Commission hearing, the Board of Supervisors will vote on the proposed legislation to enact the “Family Zoning Plan” this fall.

State law and SF’s 2022 Housing Element require the City to create more “capacity” for housing.  The City has chosen to upzone roughly two-thirds of our City with new heights, density, and other planning code changes. These proposed changes have significant impacts on Dolores Heights.   

What will change in Dolores Heights?    

  • Our heights are currently 35 or 40 feet; the new allowed heights will be 40, 50, or 65 feet.  
  • The rear yard open space is currently 45% of the lot depth or 51 feet for a 114 foot lot.  The plan allows new properties to expand 20 feet further into the rear yard (18% more of the lot depth)
  • Properties on any corner can be up to 65 feet high.  This 65-foot height also applies to lots that are 8000 square feet (less than the size of three merged standard lots or an apartment building-sized lot.)     

Say hello to 50 foot buildings on many DH streets, to 65 foot buildings on corners, and to adjacent buildings that extend 20 feet past your home’s rear wall.  For specific proposed heights for your home, expand this interactive map.  You will see two heights “Base” and “Local Program.”   “Base” height will be the “new” allowed heights.  The “Local Program” height is often higher than the “base” height. To build higher and bigger in Dolores Heights, an owner or developer can “opt into” the local program and receive the benefits bulleted above. 

DHIC opposes this strategy to upzone hundreds of thousands of SF properties for several reasons.  

  • Overkill:  To meet its state housing mandate, San Francisco only needs to approve 36,200 additional projects by 2032 … not hundreds of thousands of projects  
  • Not affordable:  80% of newly proposed projects must be affordable housing. Yet, inclusionary units required under this program and other affordable subsidies will not produce the 28,700 affordable units needed to meet the state mandate. (Read this SF Planning primer for details.)  
  • Not financially feasible:  SF Planning’s own feasibility study modeled the impact of these changes and found that under current economic conditions, no project would meet minimum profitability.  With slightly improved economic assumptions, then multi-unit projects with apartments averaging 866 sf and renting for $4600 monthly would be profitable. (see pages 34 – 63 of SF Planning memo to SF Planning Commissioners, dated June 26, 2025)
  • Tenant/small biz displacement: Church Street and 24th Street are proposed for 65 foot heights along with most other NCDs.  Most renters and small local businesses on these streets that are displaced by new construction won’t be able to afford the new rents.   

What can we do?  DHIC is part of Neighborhoods United SF (NUSF.net ) which opposes the plan and advocates for alternative strategies.  You can write or call the Mayor to express your views on the plan. Questions? Feedback?  Or if you’d like to come with us to the Sept. 11 hearing, email DHIC at info@doloresheights.org  

For more details and the full list of proposed changes, see SF Planning memo, June 26, 2025, page 16 – 19, Figure 6.  DHIC is part of Neighborhoods United SF (NUSF.net ) which opposes the plan, provides factual arguments relating to its shortcomings, and advocates for reasonable changes to the plan. 

Another Successful DHIC Gathering!

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About 60 neighbors attended DHIC’s annual gathering at the top of the Sanchez Stairs.  Filling out name tags, they met each other while enjoying refreshments.  DHIC Board members provided information on our block safety groups, the Green Gardens folks who steward our green spaces, and the Dolores Heights fundraising for the Mission High School Scholarship fund. They also listened to and asked questions of Supervisor Rafael Mandelman and State Senator Scott Wiener.  Topics ranged from concerns about public safety, city efficiency, to upzoning and housing.  

Strong networks are the foundation of neighborhood, community, health, and safety.  Thanks to everyone for turning out and spending some of your Saturday with neighbors. Stay turned for information on our Fall event.  Questions?  Ideas? Comments?  Email info@doloresheights.org.

Neighborhood Notification of Proposed Upzoning Required by Board of Supervisors

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On Tuesday, April 22 the Board of Supervisors approved legislation requiring direct notice to residents and businesses when their own property, or one within 300 feet of it, is proposed for upzoning.  Specifically, it requires a mailed notice of increases in height and/or density.  The measure passed with an 8–3 supermajority!  Our supervisor, Rafael Mandelman, voted for this notification.

What does this mean for Dolores Heights?  All of Dolores Heights is proposed for increased building heights (see article above for details.)  So SF Planning will mail all of us that postcard before the Board of Supervisors acts on the proposed upzoning legislation this fall.   

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.) 

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

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

What’s Up with the Flying Car?

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Thanks to all neighbors who responded to the carjacked Lincoln that crashed through the barrier and landed upside down on 19th Street on Saturday, July 22 (see minute 1:25 on linked YouTube video.)  Many shared video and photos of the incident with SFPD.  That evidence helped SFPD to arrest the two ringleaders in this carjacking/reckless driving incident on July 26  

Unfortunately, the two individuals arrested are not being charged owing to lack of sufficient evidence to bring a strong case.  Specifically, the owner of the carjacked vehicle is unwilling to serve as a witness.  Sergeant Wren of Mission Station is investigating the crime.  It is still an open case.  As of September 2 he’s awaiting lab results on a piece of evidence that’s key to any further action.

DHIC has asked Supervisor Mandelman’s office to help us obtain a vehicle safety strategy and “calming” plan from SFMTA.  

Good news:  earlier in August, DPW workers replaced the broken metal railings on the top and bottom of the staircase.  

What you can do:

  • Continue to be vigilant when you are out in the neighborhood including when entering/exiting a car
  • Join us on Sat. Oct. 14 between 11am – 1pm at the 800 block of Sanchez (at 21st Street) when we host the DHIC Fallfest with info on safety, green gardens, and other DHIC-sponsored activities.  

(Surveillance camera footage of the crash. Start watching at 1:25.)

Car “Flies” Over Sanchez Stairs and Lands on 19th Street

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On Saturday, July 22 around 7:15pm, five people carjacked a Lincoln sedan at Dolores Park.  They clearly didn’t know our area as the driver decided to go west on 20th Street up to Sanchez then north on Sanchez.  Driving at a high rate of speed the car crashed through the barriers at the top of the stairs and flew down to 19th Street – flipping mid-air and landing on its rooftop.  Miraculously, no one in the car was badly hurt and the sidewalk was clear.  Three walkers had just descended the stairs less than a minute before the crash.  .   

Neighbors supplied video and photos of the full event which likely aided the Police in their search for those involved.  On Tuesday, July 25, SFPD announced that it arrested two of the five suspects.  

DHIC has asked Supervisor Mandelman’s office to help us obtain a vehicle safety strategy and “calming” plan from SFMTA.  This is the second crash in 2023.  In February an out-of-control car crashed into the hillside railings on upper Sanchez north of 21st Street. 

What you can do:

  • Continue to be vigilant when you are out in the neighborhood including when entering/exiting a car
  • Join and participate in your block safety group
  • Join us on Sat. Oct. 14 between 11am – 1pm at the 800 block of Sanchez when we host the DHIC Fallfest with info on safety, green gardens, and other DHIC-sponsored activities.