Following a similar ordinance signed into law by Mayor Ed Lee last July that dealt with developments that are 100 percent affordable, the new housing density ordinance apples to market-rate developments that have 30 percent affordability.
The housing density ordinance approved by the San Francisco Board of Supervisor on Tuesday was not the first attempt at increasing building heights in exchanging for additional affordable units. It dates back to a proposal by Mayor Ed Lee and Supervisor Katy Tang to craft a density bonus policy to spur affordable housing, proposed to the Board of Supervisors in September 2015.
The Affordable Housing Bonus Program achieved its first success when Lee signed that 100 percent affordable housing bonus ordinance on July 29, 2016.
The resolution by Tang and Supervisor Ahsha Safai "allows developers to build taller residential structures in exchange for making 30 percent of the units affordable," reports Rachel Swan for the San Francisco Chronicle.
Known as HOME–SF, it passed 10-1 on May 23, and is viewed as "a win for developers and pro-growth advocates who say the only way to make San Francisco affordable is to keep building." Tang attributed the success in part to middle class families seeking housing in the city, who saw recent gains when housing for teachers was approved this month.
Hat tip MTC-ABAG Library.
Read the full story: SF supervisors OK taller buildings in exchange for affordable housing
San Francisco Planning Department Proposes Increasing Heights in Neighborhoods
The San Francisco Planning Department is proposing a trade-off to neighborhoods to comply with a state density bonus law: Modestly increase height and density limits in exchange for more affordable housing.
Voters to Decide Future of San Francisco Homeless Tent Encampments
Unable to pass the measure themselves, four San Francisco Board of Supervisors approved a ballot measure for November that would let voters decide on the removal of tent encampments in the city providing that housing is offered.
San Francisco Could Strike Deal on New Tower
The city is leveraging height increases and density bonuses to acquire more properties for affordable housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment
The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.
California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO resigns after $600,000 scandal
Under Ian Choudri, the authority used taxpayer dollars to fund first class flights and trips to nightclubs.
Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states
Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority