Garden shadows threaten development of low-cost community housing
LOS ANGELES: A bitter debate about two key necessities in all cities has divided and polarised the local community.
What’s ultimately worse for San Francisco: Shadows on Potrero del Sol Park, or the city’s severe housing shortage?
The latter, according to the Recreation and Park Commission. Today, the commission voted 4-1 that the shadows caused by a proposed seven-story residential project at 1458 San Bruno Ave., near Cesar Chavez Street, did not create enough of an “adverse effect” on the nearby park, at James Rolph Jr. playground, or the Potrero Hill Community Garden. The positive recommendation brings the project one step closer to overall approval.
A shadow analysis indicated that the building would slightly diminish the amount of sunlight to the community garden, and slightly extend the shadow at the James Rolph Playground. Ultimately, the analysis found the most popular parts of the park, such as the skate park, would be mostly unaffected.
“While I am very sensitive to the shadow issue, I just see the housing crisis as something out of control,” said Commissioner Laurence Griffin.
Commissioner Vanita Louie, though a bit torn on the vote, said she grew up near parks in Chinatown that often had shadows. Ultimately, folks weren’t deterred from using the parks, she said. “I am not going to vote my conscience,” Louie said. “But I do feel a need for housing.”
The project, as proposed, has 232 units, of which 29 units will be rented for below market rate. It activated the state density bonus, and will rise at a maximum of 73 feet.
Using housing as the deciding factor was a tad unusual for the parks commission, which does not normally consider affordable housing policies or project density in its shadow analyses.
After several commissioners said the “public good” of housing outweighed the shadows, Recreation and Parks Department general manager Phil Ginsburg said: “This is not the Planning Commission. It is the Planning Commission’s responsibility to weigh these competing interests. You are weighing in on the impacts as it relates to the park.”
But, in this day and age, housing is top of mind, especially as public perception toward development shifts. More constituents are aware of the roles city commissions play in getting San Francisco housing projects approved. Lately, commissions like Rec and Park and the Historic Preservation Commission are under increased scrutiny as the state cracks down on building mandates.
So, two artists who work at 1458 San Bruno Ave. urged the commission to rule that the project’s shadow would not be adverse. San Francisco’s homelessness and housing crises were worse.
Three years ago, developer Christopher Goode proposed to demolish three industrial buildings, including one at 1458 San Bruno Ave. that houses the artist commercial space called “The Farm.” Later, the property was rezoned by the city for housing, and Goode decided to propose residential buildings and displace the 11 commercial tenants. At least three Farm residents are in support of the project, and two spoke at today’s commission meeting.