The SHADE act also halves the allotted time for certain appeals before projects can progress.
San Francisco residents can no longer use shadows from potential buildings as a justification to delay or block new construction. While developers will still have to present a shadow analysis for any buildings that may cast shadows on city parks, the SHADE Act removes several processes that have delayed developments, including shadow review, and “cuts in half the allotted time for certain appeals before projects move forward,” Nicholas David writes for Mission City.
“[Supervisor Bilal Mahmood, who introduced the act] said that appeals involving shade had slowed down over 2,000 housing units in a dozen city projects since 2017, and said they are part of the city’s 'notorious' review process,” Mission City reports. Shadow concerns delayed a proposed 495-unit complex in the South of Market neighborhood for years.
The initial shadow review process was part of the city’s implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act. The law requires an environmental impact review for developments, but does not require a shadow analysis.
Read the full story: Out of the shadows: S.F. limits when shade can be used to block new housing
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SF residents can no longer use potential shadows to block housing developments
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