Planning Association for the Richmond, SF

Planning Department Public Meetings on Proposed Changes to Discretionary Review

From the SF Planning Department

While the Planning Department feels that the time is ripe for Discretionary Review  Reform,  we  respect  the  Committee’s  decision  and  will use the additional   time   to   collect   data   on  how  often  the  Department’s determinations  align  with  the Commission’s decisions and to improve upon our internal review procedures.

In  the interim, the Department has developed a policy for the Commission’s consideration  that would provide every Discretionary Review request with a public  hearing,  while  reducing  the  amount of staff and Commission time required  to  process  requests  that  do  not  demonstrate  exceptional or extraordinary circumstances.

The  Department would like to invite you to a public outreach meeting where the preliminary policy proposal will be presented before bringing it to the Planning  Commission  for  their review and comment, and possible adoption.

 

These  meetings  are intended to inform members of the public about how the new  process  would  work  and  to  receive the public’s feedback about the proposed policy. These outreach meetings are a continuation of the outreach done by the Department during the DR Reform process.

There  will  also be an opportunity for members of the public to comment on the  proposed  policy at the public hearing before the Planning Commission, tentatively scheduled for May 20, 2010.

The  Department  is hosting two, one-hour meetings: one on Thursday May 6th and one on Monday, May 10th, 2010.

Both meetings will start at 6:00 PM and will be held at the Planning Department located at 1650 Mission, 4th Floor, Room  421.

Please RSVP to Elizabeth Watty at 415.558.6620 or send an email to elizabeth.watty@sfgov.org , at least two days prior to the meeting.

Thank  you  for  your continued involvement in the DR Reform effort. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Kind Regards,

_____________________________

Elizabeth Watty, LEED AP

Neighborhood Planning, Southwest Quadrant San Francisco Planning Department 1650 Mission Street, Suite 400 San Francisco, CA 94103

(t) 415.558.6620

(f) 415.558.6409

www.sfgov.org/planning

Lincoln Park Playground Re-opening Celebration – Friday, April 23 at 4pm

Lands End Improvements Continue with Major New Gift

Date: April 7, 2010 Contact: David Shaw, Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, (415) 561-3064 Contact: Natalie Silverstein, Richard & Rhoda Goldman Fund & The Goldman Environmental Prize, (415) 345-6331 New Visitor Center and Accessible Trails Will Deepen Public's Connection to Iconic National Park Site San Francisco, CA—The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy has received a new $5 million grant from the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund to support restoration efforts at Lands End—bringing the Fund's total support of the Lands End project to $8.6 million.   The partnership between the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund, the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, and the National Park Service (NPS) is resulting in a remarkable gift to the community—the restored and revitalized trails, forests, native habitats, and scenic overlooks at Lands End. The recent major gift from the Goldman Fund will enhance the following projects and anchor the work already accomplished on this site: Visitor center at the Lands End Trailhead at Merrie Way with informational displays describing the area's rich cultural and natural history. This facility will allow locals and visitors to enjoy an indoor space that will complement the dramatic outdoor restoration work already completed.   Improve the Trailhead and Overlook at the end of Camino del Mar, overlooking the coastal trail on the Pacific.   Restore and improve the Eagles Point Trailhead and Overlook that will create an accessible trail from Eagle's Point at the edge of the Sea Cliff neighborhood.   "The relationship with the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund goes back decades to 1983, when the Fund was the lead funder of one of the Golden Gate National Parks' first restoration projects: Black Point Battery at Fort Mason," said Greg Moore, executive director of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. "We are deeply grateful to the Fund's legacy with the parks and continued support of our work at Lands End to make this national park on the edge of San Francisco a treasured jewel for families, runners, hikers, volunteers, and students." Lands End—attracting more than 1 million visitors each year to its spectacular coastline—is unique for its rocky shores, unparalleled views, close proximity to a large residential neighborhood, and easy access by public transportation. The trails offer breathtaking 30-mile views stretching from the Golden Gate Bridge, Marin Headlands and Point Reyes to the Farallon Islands and Pacific Ocean. Closer to shore, the remnants from shipwrecks testify to the rugged nature of the coastline. A recent NPS survey indicates that within a 48-hour period, almost 5,800 people visited Lands End. Visitors to this site included more families and local visitors, reflecting the diversity of the community. The Lands End Stewardship Program—a robust community-based volunteer group—is dedicated to restoring native habitat on windswept shores and rebuilding trails in the area and has planted over 80,000 native plants already. Nearly 900 volunteers contributed over 10,300 hours of service in 2009 alone. "The Goldman Fund provided the first significant philanthropic investment in a century to Lands End and was the catalyst for a remarkable transformation that inspired other philanthropists and public agencies to contribute to the conservation of this place," said Amy Lyons, executive director Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund. "Lands End has always been special to Mr. Goldman as he used to walk there with his father as a young boy and continued the tradition with his grandchildren. Sometimes, he was accompanied by his good friend, the late Brian O'Neill, superintendent of the Golden Gate National Parks from 1986 to 2009."   ###  About the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy The Parks Conservancy is the nonprofit membership organization created to preserve the Golden Gate National Parks, enhance the experiences of park visitors, and build a community dedicated to conserving the parks for the future. The Conservancy is an authorized "cooperating association" to the National Park Service. To learn more, please visit www.parksconservancy.org or call (415) 561-3000. About the National Park Service The National Park Service (NPS) is a federal agency within the U.S. Department of the Interior charged with managing the preservation and public use of America's most significant natural, scenic, historic and cultural treasures. The NPS manages the Golden Gate National Parks, as well as 391 other park sites across the U.S. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/goga or call (415) 561-4700. About the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund Since its establishment in 1951 by San Francisco philanthropists and civic leaders Richard and Rhoda Goldman, the Goldman Fund has contributed more than $600 million dollars to a variety of charitable causes in San Francisco, as well as nationally and internationally. The Fund supports programs that focus on improving the quality of life in the San Francisco Bay Area, the environment, a dedication to reproductive rights and stabilizing global population, and Jewish affairs.

Louis’ Restaurant: Community Event Saturday, April 17, 10am to 2pm

When: Saturday, April 17 – 10am-2pm

Where: Louis' Restaurant, 902 Point Lobos Avenue (near Sutro Baths, the Cliff House, Lands End)

What: Community event with food and fun for all

Louis' Restaurant wants to spruce up its historic restaurant – and renew its lease with the National Park Service (NPS). If you can't make it to Saturday's event, show your support by signing an online petition at http://www.petitiononline.com/louis37/petition.html . Or email your favorite Louis' stories and experiences – or even just a sentence of support – to louisrestaurant1937@gmail.com

By law, the Louis' Restaurant lease must be open for competitive bidding. Questions regarding the matter can be addressed to Aaron Roth, Chief of Business Management at GGNRA or phone him at 415-561-4949.

Events in the Richmond -- Update from Supervisor Mar

Hello Everyone,

 

Happy Spring! I wanted to send you a special note to let you all know about a few events coming up that you may want to participate in. If you are unable to make any of the events below, I hope to see you around the neighborhood soon.

 

Eric Mar

Supervisor, Richmond District

 

West Side Special Budget Meeting

 

The Budget and Finance Committee of the Board of Supervisors is holding a special meeting next week, Wednesday, April 21st, 4pm, at the Hall of Flowers in Golden Gate Park. Topics to be discussed include an overview of Aging and Adult Services budget, MUNI's budget and the Recreation and Park Department Budget. Public comment will be taken after each item There will also be an update on the city's capital planning for the west side of the city. This is a very important meeting and I strongly encourage you to attend and give the Board of Supervisors your feedback.

 

Wednesday, April 21, 4pm

Hall of Flowers in Golden Gate Park (9th & Lincoln Way).

 

Although the meeting begins at 4pm with the capital planning update, the hearings on the City's Budget will start approximately at:

 

5pm: City Budget overview & Aging & Adult Services Budget

6pm: MUNI Budget

7pm: Rec & Park Budget

 

These times are approximate and will depend on how many individuals will speak at public comment for each hearing.

It is very possible that we get to certain hearings earlier than the time above or even much later.

    

Bike to Work with Supervisor Mar

 

Now that the rainy season seems to be at bay, we are restarting the monthly "Bike to Work" days with Supervisor Mar. Our next Bike to Work day will be on Friday, April 30th at 8am. Meet at the Velo Rouge Cafe on Arguello @ Cabrillo.

Also, please join our office and hundreds of cyclists around San Francisco and the Bay Area for the official Bike to Work Day organized by the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition (SFBC). This event will take place on Thursday, May 13th, 7:30am. Our office will meet at the Blue Danube Cafe,

306 Clement Street at 4th Avenue, and ride to City Hall to arrive by 8am.

There are dozens of meeting places around San Francisco. Check out SFBC's website for the meeting location near you, http://www.sfbike.org/.

 

6th Annual Richmond Community Health Festival

 

Please join me, Senator Yee, and over 40 community health organizations for a day of fun, activities and healthy education. Details below:

 

Event: 6th Annual Richmond Health Festival

 

Date: May 8, 2010

 

Time: 10 AM – 2 PM

 

Location: Richmond Recreation Center 251 18th Ave. SF

 

Description: This festival will feature live performances from Chinese Lion Dancers, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and speeches by Supervisor Eric Mar and Senator Yee. There will be over 40 community health organizations, children's activities and free clinical services including bone density testing, dental check ups, Hepatitis B screening, spinal screening, medication review and much more. This event is completely free of charge to the public. Come enjoy a day of fun and valuable knowledge on your health and well-being.