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