San Francisco Mayor London Breed, the Planning Department, and the Office of Economic & Workforce Development (OEWD) have introduced a new legislative proposal to increase the city's housing stock. This legislation would remove zoning restrictions that currently mandate a minimum office space in mixed-use projects within the South of Market (SoMa) area, potentially paving the way for thousands of new housing units.
In efforts to fulfill Mayor Breed’s ambitious "Housing for All" initiative, which seeks to add 82,000 new homes over the next eight years, the legislation co-sponsored by Supervisor Matt Dorsey seizes on the shifting needs of a post-pandemic metropolis. Announced by the City and County of San Francisco, the proposed changes would transform zoning rules, which previously required a two-thirds commercial to one-third residential space ratio for larger sites in SoMa and the Transbay areas, now possibly making them entirely residential or significantly up the residential quotient in mixed-use projects.
The "30 x 30" initiative, part of Mayor Breed's approach to inject life back into Downtown, is seeing traction with this movement toward residential development. The legislative move aligns with the city's vision to reimagine Downtown as a diverse, bustling hub of round-the-clock activity. As reported by the City and County of San Francisco, previous strides have been made, including an ordinance passed in July of the past year, which increased Downtown zoning flexibility for a diverse range of uses and launched a program that facilitated the transformation of office buildings into residential spaces.
Director of SF Planning, Rich Hillis, emphasizes the legislation as a commitment to smart growth and urban development that benefits all residents. Meanwhile, amid the economic shifts faced by developers during the pandemic, Anne Taupier, the Director of Development at OEWD, expressed confidence in the city's collaboration with builders to kickstart large projects previously on hold. Despite these challenges, the Central SoMa and Transbay areas have already seen substantial investment in infrastructural enhancements, particularly around transit, making these neighborhoods ideal for increased residential construction.
Support for the initiative is strong among housing advocates as well. Corey Smith, Executive Director of the Housing Action Coalition, commended Mayor Breed for her proactive stance in housing, asserting that the legislation will provide centrally located homes for those who need them and will help ensure Central SoMa's growth and prosperity. Echoing this enthusiasm, Jane Natoli from SF YIMBY praised the Mayor’s progressive steps in ensuring that San Francisco meets its housing targets. This proposed change reflects a continued effort to adapt and respond to the city's ever-evolving needs in the real estate market. It is seen as a logical step toward achieving state-mandated housing goals, as shared by Aaron Fenton, Senior Vice President at BXP Development.
