Density Bonuses Proposed in High-Demand San Francisco Neighborhoods

"San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors will debate legislation that would relax height and density limits this fall to spur housing projects in neighborhoods like the Marina, Richmond, Western Addition and Sunset – where development can be a third rail," reports Cory Weinberg.

Weinberg adds: "Under a proposal by the Planning Department, developers would be able to build two stories taller than they’re allowed in some parts of the city – or get some relief on city requirements for building parking, rear yard or open space – in exchange for reserving more units for low- and middle-income residents."

The city believes this program will spur the development of 7,000 new housing units in total—with 3,000 of those available to low- and moderate-income residents. Weinberg quotes Kearstin Dischinger of the Planning Department, who argues that the new density in those neighborhoods would shift development interests away from neighborhoods farther east, which have proven to be a political hotbed of opposition to development.