Supervisor Chiu - January 2012 - Newsletter

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Supervisor David Chiu - January 2012 Newsletter

Friend,

Happy New Year!

I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday season. For me, the new year is a time to plan for work we willcontinue to further improve the neighborhoods of District 3 and San Francisco as a whole. In this newsletter, youwill find updates on district issues, ongoing legislation, my staff, January office hours in the district, and upcomingevents that may interest you.

Thank you for caring about our neighborhoods and for making San Francisco a world class city. I look forward toworking with you in 2012!

Sincerely,

David Chiu

Contents

District 3 Update

Legislation

See You in the District

Community Calendar

Office News

Official Website

District 3 Update

Americas Cup
http://www.facebook.com/davidchiu.sfhttp://twitter.com/davidchiuhttp://www.sfbos.org/index.aspx?page=2105https://www.myngp.com/broadcast/BroadcastReport_Body.aspx?crypt=NMZWYX%2fzuvOymR40lAgv8Q%3d%3d#newshttps://www.myngp.com/broadcast/BroadcastReport_Body.aspx?crypt=NMZWYX%2fzuvOymR40lAgv8Q%3d%3d#calhttps://www.myngp.com/broadcast/BroadcastReport_Body.aspx?crypt=NMZWYX%2fzuvOymR40lAgv8Q%3d%3d#hourshttps://www.myngp.com/broadcast/BroadcastReport_Body.aspx?crypt=NMZWYX%2fzuvOymR40lAgv8Q%3d%3d#leghttps://www.myngp.com/broadcast/BroadcastReport_Body.aspx?crypt=NMZWYX%2fzuvOymR40lAgv8Q%3d%3d#update


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In December, the San Francisco Planning Commission voted unanimously to certify the Final EnvironmentalImpact Report on the 34th Americas Cup. Key changes to the original project include the preservation of Bayviews from Rincon Point, additional mitigation measures to further reduce air quality impacts and a reduced scopeof vehicle lane closure along the Embarcadero.

The unanimous approval of the EIR from the Planning Commission has been appealed by Telegraph Hill Dwellersand several environmental groups. Until the appeals are heard, construction of any new facilities will be on hold.These appeals will be heard by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors this month. My focus is making sure thatthere are plans in place to deal with the traffic we know will come to District 3, and to make sure that our preciouswaterfront remains environmentally sound.

In addition to environmental certifications, the details of the Project Agreement for the Americas Cup were alsoreleased late at the end of last year. The agreement outlines as much as $100 million to be invested into Portproperty and includes significant upgrades to both facilities and infrastructure, including the Cruise Terminal at Pier27. The Board of Supervisors will likely consider all of these details later this month, and my office will be workingclosely with stakeholders to be certain that any planned development allowed for under the agreement providesimproves short and long-term public access to the waterfront and makes sense for the City financially.

The first events on San Francisco Bay are the Americas Cup World Series races scheduled for Aug. 1119, 2012and Aug. 27Sept. 2, 2012. The Americas Cup will then return to our shores for the main events starting on July 4,2013, when the competition to capture the Americas Cup trophy begins with the Louis Vuitton Cup. The winner ofthe Louis Vuitton Cup earns the right to compete in the Americas Cup finals against cup-holder Team Oracle. TheAmerica's Cup final races are scheduled for Sept. 722, 2013.

Studies have put the economic impact to San Francisco from the 34th America's Cup events in 2012 and 2013 at

more than $1 billion, including spending and jobs across the visitor and hospitality, construction and transportationindustries.

Waterfront Playground

In recent years, the neighborhoods along the Northeastern Waterfront have been changing considerably, includingbecoming the home of more families with young children. Unfortunately, these neighborhoods have very fewrecreational opportunities geared for these new residents. The nearest public playground facilities are a bus ride orlong walk away, which is a challenge for those with very young children. I have been collaborating with a groupcalled Friends of the Waterfront Playground that has been working for over a year on locating, designing, andfundraising for a new waterfront public playground. After residents and the Recreation and Park Departmentidentified Sue Bierman Park as a potential location, I authored an ordinance that would allow for the building ofplayground structures there, which is currently not permitted. In November, the Board of Supervisors unanimouslyapproved this legislation, opening the doors for the next phase of the playgrounds planning. Please join us forpublic community outreach meeting on Tuesday, January 24, at 6:00 p.m. at the Bayside Conference Room, Pier 1to talk about the design concepts for the playground.
http://articles.sfgate.com/2011-11-04/bay-area/30362627_1_playground-53-acre-park-open-space


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8 Washington

As you may have read in the newspaper, a proposal to increase the height limit and build 145 luxury condominiumsand a 420-vehicle underground garage at 8 Washington on the Embarcadero could be headed to the Board ofSupervisors in the coming months. The project would build over the parking lot on the corner of Washington andEmbarcadero and replace the recreation facility that currently takes up the western portion of the parcel. While Isupport the goal of activating the surface parking lots along the Embarcadero and creating additional revenuestreams for the Port, I share the deep concerns that many neighbors have about this project as currently conceived.Among other issues, this development would require the first significant height increase along the waterfront inmore than four decades. The project is slated to be acted upon by the Planning and Port Commissions on January 19and 20, respectively. If youd like more information, please contact [email protected].

Trader Joes & CVS at the Cala Food Site

For several years, weve known that Cala Foods at California & Hyde was going to close, and the day finally camein December. The real question was what would take its place. Early proposals were to demolish the existingbuilding to allow for a grocery store and many stories of housing above it. Along with many neighbors, my priorityduring this process has been to ensure that our neighborhoods would be without a full service grocery store for asshort a time as possible. A few weeks ago, the Planning Commission approved a project that will reuse and improvethe current building, and the developer has secured Trader Joes and CVS Pharmacy as tenants. My office continuesto work through neighborhood concerns about CVSs proposal to have liquor license, but I am confident that wecan work through this issue and see a grand opening in the second half of 2012.

LegislationHelping Small Businesses

Last fall, I introduced two pieces of legislation that will provide enormous benefits for small businesses. Since myservice on the Small Business Commission, I have heard tragic stories from local small businesses having to closeafter being hit with lawsuits under the Americans withDisabilities Act (ADA). My legislation, which I authored incollaboration with the Mayors Office of Disability and Office of Small Business, would require commerciallandlords leasing to small businesses to bring the ground floor entrances and exits into ADA compliance prior toleasing. This should help share the costs of compliance and make needed accessibility improvements withoutputting undue burden on small businesses. In December, the Planning Commission recommended approval of theordinance, and the Board of Supervisors will consider the legislation later this month.

Another ordinance I introduced, in collaboration with Treasurer Jose Cisneros, consolidates annual business licensebillings. Currently, businesses receive multiple bills on multiple billing cycles from the City for the various licensesthey need to operate. The system has been inefficient and confusing. Now, the Treasurers office will be able tosend one consolidated bill to businesses beginning in March 2013. This change is one step towards making it easier
http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/2011/09/chiu-proposal-could-curb-costly-ada-disability-access-lawsuitshttp://articles.sfgate.com/2011-11-14/bay-area/30400137_1_shipyard-project-waterfront-redevelopment-project


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to do business in San Francisco. I am grateful to the Board of Supervisors for the unanimous approval of theordinance.

Making Neighborhoods Safer

Since taking office, I have spent considerable time working on public safety issues related to late-nightentertainment, authoring several pieces of legislation to require more accountability by night clubs and partypromoters. Recently, we identified another safety issue related to the fact that many nightlife-related violence takesplace in nearby parking facilities. The problem has been that commercial parking facilities are usually not staffedlate at night when bars and clubs let out, and they are often poorly lit and lack adequate security. Along with CityAttorney Herrera and Supervisor Wiener, I introduced legislation that would require operators of commercialparking lots and garages to provide security plans as part of permit applications. Also, if the parking facility is near

a venue with an entertainment permit, certain minimum security requirements would apply, including adequatelighting and staffing of the facility until 3:00 a.m.

Expanding Public Art

Last summer, I introduced an ordinance co-sponsored by Mayor Ed Lee that will expand upon and improve thealready existing public art fee. The City currently requires all downtown developments over 25,000 square feet topay a fee equal to one percent of project construction costs to purchase on-site artwork. There has been a growingcall for more flexibility in the location and types of art for which these funds can be spent. Under my legislation,developers, under most circumstances, will have an option to contribute a portion of their money to a newlydeveloped Public Art Trust Fund. The Fund will pay for maintenance along with public art installations managed bythe Arts Commission, which will include both permanent and temporary installations, as well as programming andperformances to activate the public sphere. Recently, the Planning Commission unanimously supported themeasure, and the Board of Supervisors will consider it shortly. I look forward to more art in public spaces!

Improving the Planning CodeIn the middle of last year, I introduced a lengthy piece of legislation designed to simplify the Planning Code and toadvance some of our broadly held policy goals, including the creation of affordable housing, the preservation ofhistoric buildings, and the realization of our Transit First policy. The legislation will be heard at the PlanningCommission on February 9, and I expect to move it through the Board of Supervisors in the months that follow.You can find a PDF of the Planning Departments helpful staff report here. My office will be holding meetingsabout this legislation in the coming months, but you can also contact my aide Judson True [email protected] more information.

Office Hours: See You In The District!

Over my three years in office, I have scheduled countless casual meetings every week with constituents incoffeehouses, bars, and restaurants around District 3. Some of these have led to legislation such as reducingunwanted yellow pages and nightlife violence, while others have resulted in focused work on neighborhood issueslike tour buses and playgrounds. Beginning this month, I look forward to formalizing these interactions withregular district office hours throughout our amazing neighborhoods. Please come by with a neighborhood issue, alegislative idea, or just to say hello!

My January District Office Hours

Friday, January 13, 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.

Russian Hill

Royal Ground Coffee, 2216 Polk Street

Friday, January 13, 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.Chinatown

Chinatown Library, 1135 Powell Street

Friday, January 20, 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.

North Beach/Telegraph Hill

Caffe Roma, 526 Columbus Avenue

Tuesday, January 24, 6:00 p.m.

Public Community Outreach Meeting on Design Concepts for

the Waterfront Playground in Sue Bierman Park

Bayside Conference Room, Pier 1

Happy Office Hour

Thursday, January 26, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Lower Polk

Lush Lounge, 1221 Polk Street

Friday, January 27, 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

Chinatown

Chinatown Library, 1135 Powell Street

Friday, February 3, 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.

Nob Hill

Cup A Joe Coffeehouse, 896 Sutter Street
mailto:[email protected]://commissions.sfplanning.org/cpcpackets/2011.0532Tc1.pdf


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January 2012 Community Calendar

Friday, January 6, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.

First Fridays in North Beach

North Beach, Columbus & Stockton

----------------Sunday, January 8, 11:00 a.m. (doors open at 10am)

Ed Lees Mayoral Inauguration

City Hall Rotunda

----------------

Sunday, January 8, 2:00 p.m.Ross Mirkarimis Sheriff Inauguration

Herbst Theater, 401 Van Ness Avenue

----------------Monday, January 9, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.

North Beach Neighbors General Meeting

Telegraph Neighborhood Center, 660 Lombard Street

----------------Wednesday, January 11, 7:00 p.m.

Lower Polk Neighbors General Meeting

First Congregational Church, 1300 Polk Street San Francisco

----------------Thursday, January 12, 12:30 p.m.

Lunar New Year Public Safety Awareness 2012 Campaign

Kick-Off

Gate to Chinatown, Grant @ Bush Street

----------------Thursday, January 12, 4:00 p.m.

Stockton Street Walking Tour

$10, sponsored by SPUR and the Chinatown Community

Development Center

Location given upon registration

----------------Friday, January 13, 9:00 - 10:30 a.m.

North Beach Community Coalition General Meeting

St. Peter and Paul Parish, 620 Filbert St.

Sunday, January 15, 11:00 a.m.

Vietnamese New Year TET Festival

At Larkin and Eddy

----------------

Monday, January 16, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Middle Polk Neighborhood Association General Meeting

It's A Grind, 1800 Polk Street at Washington

----------------

Thursday, January 19, 5:30 -7:00 p.m.

Central Police Station Community Advisory Board Meeting

Telegraph Neighborhood Center, 660 Lombard Street

----------------

Monday, January 23, 6 - 7:30 p.m.

Department of Environment Public Forum on Plastic Bag

Legislation

Gordon J. Lau Elementary School Auditorium, 950 Clay Street

----------------

Monday, January 23

Chinese New Year Begins - Gung Hay Fat Choy!

(Parade on Saturday, February 11)

----------------

Monday, January 30, 6 - 8:00 p.m.

Russian Hill Neighbors Cheers Happy Hour

Location To Be Determined - check the link above closer to thedate

----------------

Saturday, February 4, 9:00 a.m. - Noon

District 3 Community Clean Team Kickoff and Chinese New

Year Celebration

Portsmouth Square Plaza, 733 Kearny Street between

Washington and Clay

***If we missed your event or meeting, please send future events

[email protected] and well include as many as we can.

Office News

The start of the year also marks many exciting changes to the team in my City Hall office. After years of dedicatedpublic service to District 3, the talented Victor Lim has left my office; thank you Victor! In his place, I am veryhappy to welcome Amy Chan as my new legislative aide beginning Monday, January 9. Amy is a former tenantorganizer with a Masters in Public Policy; she will be our staff lead on Chinese and Chinatown issues andconstituencies, as well as a variety of legislative and policy issues. Judson True and Catherine Rauschuber willsoon mark their two-year anniversaries in my office. As always, please dont hesitate to contact any of us with your

questions and concerns.

We are bidding a fond farewell and extending our deepest gratitude to Samantha Roxas and Jennifer Hoff, whohave been indispensable interns in the office during the busy past year. Samantha graduated in December from SanFrancisco State University with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Foreign Policy and is embarkingupon a new internship at SPUR. Jennifer was an outstanding legislative fellow in the office and received herMasters of Public Affairs from the University of San Francisco in December. Both would be incredible additions toany organization (hint hint). We wish them both the best of luck!
http://www.spur.org/mailto:[email protected]://sfdpw.org/index.aspx?page=1339http://www.rhn.org/events.htmlhttp://www.sfenvironment.org/our_programs/interests.html?ssi=3&ti=4&ii=142http://northbeach.ning.com/page/calendarhttp://middlepolk.blogspot.com/http://vietccsf.org/viet/http://northbeach.ning.com/page/calendarhttps://app.etapestry.com/cart/SPUR/default/item.php?ref=1747.0.642700497http://spur.org/events/calendar/touring-stockton-street-new-perspectivehttp://www.sfsafe.org/special-events/lunar-new-yearhttp://www.lowerpolkneighbors.org/http://www.northbeachneighbors.org/http://www.facebook.com/events/216421111774360/http://www.sfmayor.org/index.aspx?page=639http://www.facebook.com/northbeachfirstfridays?sk=info


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Samantha and Jennifer

Finally, we are very excited to welcome a strong group of new interns from a wide variety of schools andbackgrounds. We will introduce the new intern team in next months newsletter. However, we are always happy toaccept resumes from people interested in public service to the City and County of San Francisco and the District 3community. Please send them to [email protected].

Best wishes for a great 2012!

UPCOMING NEWSLETTERS: Our office will be sending out a newsletter by the end of the first week of each month. Please send

questions, topics youd like covered, or items for the Community Calendar to [email protected] by the Tuesday of that week.

Sent by the Office of Supervisor David Chiu

Phone: (415) 554-7450 Fax: (415) 554-7454 [email protected] Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Pl Room 264

San Francisco, CA 94102

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Supervisor Chiu - January 2012 - Newsletter