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Home Featured Does Newsom want to be the guv who turns SF into Miami Beach?

    Does Newsom want to be the guv who turns SF into Miami Beach?

    The Lt. Gov is pushing a lawsuit to strip voter control over waterfront development

    Is this what Gav wants for his former hometown?

    Gavin Newsom seems to want to be the governor who turned the San Francisco waterfront into Miami Beach.

    Newsom, who as Lite Guv chairs the State Lands Commission, is suing his former hometown to try to block the voters from limiting height limits on the waterfront.

    Is this what Gav wants for his former hometown?
    Is this what Gav wants for his former hometown?

    He’s joining a pro-development group and the building trades unions in attempting to overturn Prop. B, the 2014 ballot measure that requires voter approval for increases in waterfront height limits. Prop. B won overwhelmingly.

    The City Attorney’s Office has tried to reach some sort of settlement that would leave the voters with the authority, which local voters in California have always had, to make land-use decisions. But on Dec. 14, both parties informed Judge Suzanne Ramos Bolanos that settlement talks had failed.

    So now Newsom – while he is running for governor – will be taking San Francisco to court to allow a three-member state agency to take control of the city’s waterfront and allow any kind of development it wants.

    “Newsom feels that the state Lands Commission should control all height limits on waterfront development,” Lee Radner, a leader with Friends of Golden Gateway and one of the supporters of Prop. B, told me.

    “We think that our local government should decide that. If San Diego wants highrises on the waterfront, that’s fine – but if San Francisco doesn’t, why is Newsom trying to force it on us?”

    The highrise question is not just hypothetical. For half a century, San Franciscans have been fighting against giant buildings on property controlled by the Port. The voters have consistently, repeatedly, said they want the waterfront to be open, low-intensity development with maritime and public-access uses given priority.

    The Warriors ran into that position when the team tried to site its new stadium on the waterfront – and quickly realized it would never happen.

    The legal issue here is technical and complicated. When California became a state, the federal government, as was typical, granted it control over tidelands and submerged lands – which includes, for all practical purposes, much of the state’s waterfront.

    In 1968, thanks to John  Burton, who was then in the Legislature, the state gave that power back to San Francisco. The city created a Port Commission to manage the land, which includes hugely valuable lots along the seawall.

    Newsom is arguing that the Port Commission – appointed by the mayor – is the only entity that can regulate land use, including height limits. That commission, which has consistently been pro-development, was handing out permits for massive projects, including 8 Washington and the Warriors.

    That’s why Prop. B wound up on the ballot.

    It’s more than an academic exercise. If the voters (and by implication, the district-elected Board of Supervisors, which has the final say on zoning in the city) can’t control the waterfront, then a pro-development mayor can give it away at his or her whim.

    That doesn’t work anywhere else in the city. Any major project can be appealed to the supes; if that fails, and the opposition is strong enough, it can go on the ballot.

    Now Newsom is essentially saying that the State Lands Commission can decide who controls the San Francisco waterfront. That’s what’s at stake here.

    When I asked him about this last year, he shrugged it off, saying he just wanted to enforce state law. But enforcing his vision of state law means a whole lot of inappropriate development – which is the Housing Action Coalition and the building trades, which strongly supported 8 Washington (with its ultra-luxury condos) are siding with Newsom on this case.

    I suspect this isn’t the kind of issue that will define the race for governor – but in his hometown, Newsom is going to have to face some questions.

    100 COMMENTS

    1. No those were not official MAGA hats. Trump’s official things are all made in the USA. There are other vendors that were hawking things at the inauguration on the way there too.

    2. That’s an example of alternative facts #AltFacts right there. Perhaps the 1.5 imaginary attendees of his Inauguration had USA-made products, but the people who actually showed up got official MAGA hats that were made in China.
      pic.twitter.com/dIfHNHwYap

    3. So when I buy a product made in Mexico, for example a Trump® necktie or any other fine Trump® product manufactured across the border, how exactly does my 20% price increase get paid by “them?”

    4. No one needs a patronizing mansplaining lecture from a very wealthy WG like you Jym. Just stop. Act civilly or you will be blocked. Patronizing white male lectures to me, a mixed race female are no longer considered acceptable.

    5. What it is “technically” is not the point, it’s a total lack of class for an anonymous coward to post personal details of people using their own names. Conversely, it is classy for Mr. Lassen, who is something of a celebrity in local literary circles, not to hide behind a cowardly anonymous handle.

      What’s more, the man is not a “senior citizen,” so you’re a liar as well. Good thing you’re anonymous, though, so that nobody but you knows about your lack of integrity.

      Even more, your classless and cowardly avoidance of the actual topic under discussion — a family forced out of the city — with ad hominem irrelevancies about age are completely irrelevant, and indicate a complete failure on your part to come up with anything remotely resembling a valid argument.

    6. No, no subsidizing anyone. If you can’t afford it, don’t be here. There are other places to live.

    7. Do you even live in SF? “We need”…no we don’t. And further, you don’t sound like you understand SF very well at all.

    8. It’s not about diversity. I’m multi-racial, and IDC about that. If you can’t afford to live here move. That is the reality of the situation.

    9. In addition, I would not presume that higher density means more affordable. The highest density neighborhoods of Tenderloin/Downtown/Civic Center are more affordable, but high density areas of Russian Hill, Nob Hill, SOMA, and the Marina are not more affordable. And some low-density areas of Hunter’s Point and the Bayview are more affordable. SF is a high density City and the least affordable. Same for Manhattan.

      According to a report by the California Planning Roundtable California Department of Housing & Community Development it is a myth that more density means more affordable.

      “This myth expresses an essential truth: more units per acre mean lower land costs per unit, especially if local governments allow builders meaningful density bonuses; smaller units cost less to build than larger ones. To encourage housing affordability, California cities do need to promote higher densities. But we also know from experience and observation that not all high-density housing is affordable to low-income families. San Francisco’s Nob and Telegraph Hills, Los Angeles’ Wilshire Corridor, and high-rises in downtown San Diego are all examples of upper-income areas where housing densities are quite high. Similarly, most Californians know that low-density neighborhoods often accommodate people of modest means.”

      http://www.hcd.ca.gov/housing-policy-development/mythsnfacts.pdf

    10. It has been my experience that those with children who live in 2-4 unit buildings eventually move out to single family homes when they can afford to. In some cases, they could not afford to move until their children were ready for high school. But most moved when their children are ready for elementary school or middle school.

      It would seem from the data that if we allowed more 2-4 units buildings in my neighborhood it would not attract more families with children. The neighborhood with the highest percent of 2-4 unit buildings is Duboce Triangle. By comparison, Seacliff, is an unaffordable neighborhood with mostly owner occupied single family homes. Seacliff has 934 households, 301 or 32% of them have children. Duboce Triangle with 1589 households has 308 or 7% with children. And that does not account for school-age children. Seacliff has many more households with school age children than Duboce Triangle.

      Looking at families, 28% of Seacliff’s families have school-age children with 11% preschool. That is comparable to Bayview Heights 29% and Vis Valley 27%. They are lower income areas but also low density. Duboce Triangle families have 13% wih school age with 17% preschool. Duboce Triangle has far fewer families 308 or 19% compared to Seacliff’s 653 or 70%. The typical pattern is that families with children are formed in multiunit buildings but as the family and incomes grow they leave.

      If we upzone single family owner occupied neighborhoods it will not attract more families with children and it will have a negative impact.
      It will change from stable with a range of ages to transient with more younger and older people. Single-family owner occupied neighborhoods have less traffic, less noise, less pollution, less crime, and are overall much more pleasant. However, density living has its benefits. It is a matter of lifestyle choice. SF now offers many choices. Eliminate single family and you reduce the choices.

    11. Maybe we could change that pattern by allowing duplexes/triplexes where only SFH are currently permitted, which would presumably be offered at a lower price than a SFH and thus allow a more diverse set of people to live in your neighborhood.

    12. Single family neighborhoods are where you find families with children. There is a correlation between density and families with children. The more multi-unit housing the lower the percent of families with children, especially school age children. The reason families with children leave the City is the limited supply of family friendly housing (3 bedrooms and a yard).

      In my neighborhood, the number of families with school-age children has increased. Both of my next-door neighbors died and were replaced with families with children. Both moved from higher density neighborhoods, Inner Sunset and NOPA, as they outgrew their apartment and condo.

      However, I would guess from their occupations they are higher income families. Over the past 40 years there seems to be a trend toward more college educated and professional workers in my neighborhood.

      Over my 74 years most of my childhood friends and all my relatives moved out of the City for a variety of reasons. Most got better, bigger homes and an improved standard of living by moving out. Some moved because their jobs moved. Over the past 50 years SF has lost working class and middle class jobs.

      The typical pattern is that young people come to SF, have children, and move out. That has been the pattern for at least the past 50 years.

    13. Buildings aren’t diversity, people, families, and communities are diversity. The reality that we live in is that only older wealthier people can buy single family homes, and over time our single family neighborhoods are becoming enclaves of older, wealthier privileged people. We need to upzone single family housing to multi unit housing to allow more supply of housing so that the children of the families who Grew up here (or anyone else who isn’t a millionaire) will be able to raise a family here.

    14. My neighborhood is zoned detached single family. If we upzone my neighborhood it would no longer be single family and we would lose single family neighborhoods and the City would be less diverse.

    15. Don, the guy is a senior citizen! I looked at his pix on Twitter. And he had the nerve to trash you for his age? SMDH

    16. You’re an ancient WM with young children. You are senior level age. You should know that SF is really not amenable to seniors without some $ who haven’t bought. You arrived here at 40+ by your pic!

    17. The problem with property, you can’t make much money unless you leave the City. If you want to remain in the City then you would pay as much for another home. I guess you business is not successful enough to stay in the City? I agree it is very expensive to raise a family here. But there are many nice places to live outside of the City. Most who move have a higher standard of living. Leaving the City is not a bad thing.

    18. Jeremy, why did you only arrive here 20 years ago? I saw your pix on Twitter, your personal pix with your wife & you are just about Don’s age! You’re already in OAP aka Senior stage. Apply for senior housing with your wife & children.

    19. Being born here does not entitle one to stay here if they can’t afford it. It was your choice to come to SF and it will be your choice to leave. No one is forcing you to do anything. Many families leave the City for better housing, better environments, more space, better weather, less crime, and for your children better schools. Again most of my childhood friends and all my relatives moved out of the City. That is the norm. Young people move here, have kids, and leave. Generally for 3 bedrooms and a yard.

    20. Anyone can have what 4th Gen has if they can afford it. Most everyone had to make sacrifices to buy. Most I know had to leave the City to buy something they could afford that was suitable. Some who stayed had to accept less space or a less desirable area or both.

    21. You still want SF to “give you a BMR” property. Sign up now for one LOL. Trust me, the rigamarole for it is something you will not want.

    22. Sorry, no empathy, you are free to move to a place more amenable. You realize that in Detroit you can buy a building for $1? Move to where things are more affordable. No one has the right to live anywhere, you move out when it’s unaffordable. There are places in Oakland that are $400k right now. You can move there if you have a good job. I’ve thought of investing in Oakland RE because it is HOT HOT HOT.

    23. BMR housing is subsidized housing. If you don’t like SF, why did you move here in the first place. You now want to change it? Zoning laws protect the quality of life that makes the City desirable to begin with. It is not about home values. One nice thing about SF is its diverse neighborhoods, we are not homogenized cookie cutter. You can find both low and high density to satisfy you lifestyle choice. How is it misery?

    24. I’m trying to embrace it. By suggesting that artificial market restrictions on housing are anti-capitalist, and have numerous negative consequences.

      The fact that you tell me to embrace capitalism, while arguing in favor of restricting capitalism, without seeing the contradiction, once again, suggests you are part of the problem.

      I think you are three for three or something.

      Peace.

    25. I don’t think it is a problem that not everyone who wants to live here can afford to live here. You are the one who suggested it was a problem that some can’t afford to live here. I don’t want to prevent anyone from coming here and I welcome changes.

      I am assuming you are more talented than average. If so, then you displaced someone less talented. So if you think not being able to afford to live here is a problem, then you are part of the problem.

    26. Why do you think I’m a teacher? I’m not.

      I was just proposing $10K a month for teachers, to help a class of selfless underpaid, and socially critical workers in the city.

      What were you doing? Arguing that you need to protect your beach views, and saying “get out” to anyone who can’t clear $10K a month. Oh. and throwing in some blatantly nativist shit about moving back to where my parents came from.

      Sigh. I get it. People live inside their own head for so long, they have no idea how their shit sounds when they speak it out loud.

      So you know: Try and find some empathy. Read up on mono-economies, and their effects people and culture (Gulf Oil kingdom Economies and culture are a great example).

      Peace.

    27. YOU just said that if you aren’t Clearing $10K a month, you can’t live here.

      But now your complaining about the 1%.

      physician heal thyself.

    28. Your anger might be why you’re not moving up the ladder. Become a principal, and above that is where the $ is at. GL.

    29. I didn’t inherit anything. I worked & slaved. Tampen down the rhetoric towards me or I will block. I get that you’re angry, but having an open dialogue with everyone is much more helpful. Thx.

    30. And fuck everyone else who doesn’t have rent control or property…
      …and fuck everyone who doesn’t make $10K a month or more.

      You’ve made it pretty clear which side of the problem you are on.

    31. there is always a golden freebie ticket. It’s called zoning restrictions that favor one group over another.

      “go back to where my parents came from” What the fuck does that even mean… I should go try and inherent property they bought? Because that’s what you did? Got “land rich” because your parents happened to own land here?

      again with the nativist shit. The “I’m here. Fuck everyone else, I got mine.” attitude.

      Thank you for making it clear that you are part of the problem.

    32. No, I’m kind of with Tim on this. Some new housing yes. At the beach to block all the views & have just the 1% there? No.

    33. Stop being rude to Don. Honestly, your uncivil disourse is just wrong. We need to come together as a people, and that means actually talking to each other. He would probably agree with you on many points. Don’t get yourself blocked by your rudeness. Let’s continue to dialogue. TY.

    34. So you’ve got yours. And fuck everyone else.

      Again. this is why, respectfully, I think you are part of the problem.

    35. I’m not asking you to subsidize shit. I’m asking people like you to stop using artificial zoning restrictions to pump up their home values while pretending that “San Francisco never changes”

      LET PRIVATE LAND OWNES BUILD MORE HOUSING ON THE LAND THEY OWN.

      Build ecologically sound, dense urban housing.

      you are either a profiteer on other peoples misery, or you are a useful tool for those who do.

    36. I did not come here from the UK.

      WTF is wrong with you!?!?
      And… for that matter… why would it matter if I moved here from the UK, or Sacramento? I did.

    37. That’s not how the SFUSD prioritizes it’s money. Sounds like you need to take it up with them, YKWIM/ They are a bloated crony bureaucracy that pays everyone on the lower end palty wages & everyone on the upper end from principals upward a bloated unsustainable salary. They are the real true unfair people. GL

    38. You are bitter and angry and made a value judgement about me based on nothing more than I arrived here 20 years ago, and I want to continue to live here.

      Don’t fucking back pedal now and soft sell shit. You said *I* was part of the problem. yet you haven’t ever done one thing to prevent people from coming here. You’ve gotten rich and fat off the fact that people come here for jobs and education. And now you want to blame them because the world is changing.

      I would tell you to fuck off, but I guess you are just a said, sorry old fuck whom the world has passed by.

      Please stop pissing on my daughters future by being a crotchety old “Nativist”

    39. Then by your own admission you’re not able to afford here. Be your own solution instead of just being “angy” on the internet. SF wasn’t always weird it was pretty solidly GOP till 1968 & there’s a bunch of DINO Irish & others people out in the outer areas of SF. At least 37k+ of us. I’m not shaming you but that is the reality what it takes to live here. If you don’t clear that you may want to clear out. You’re from elsewhere, perhaps your parent could do your chldcare. One thing constant about SF, it always changes. Always. GL.

    40. This is exactly what I’m talking about.

      I have lived here for 20 years. I have worked professionally to “Keep San Francisco culture weird and wonderful” often at the expense of $$.

      I’m working hard to raise my family here, because these weird and wonderful cultural values are important, particularly in this Donald trump era.

      So when you (claiming to be 4th generation) cavalierly say “You need to clear $10K or you can’t live here” then I see YOU as part of the problem. it is YOU are are destroying the fabric of San Francisco.

      More housing won’t destroy SF. but a mono-class population that has to clear $10K a month will.

    41. I think the point is no one was forced to come to SF. It was a choice. No one is obligated to subsidize that choice. You are part of the “problem” if you think the high cost of living is a problem. All are free to move to someplace more affordable. You were the one bitching about your kin being displaced, not 4th generation.

    42. I’ve worked in them, they are pretty cheap, most likely cheaper than where you are currently living. Check them out.

    43. Ok, and I’m not being mean or uncivil but you must clear $10k a month or $15k a month to live here. TY for pulling back the fangs. BTW I am female.

    44. I am complaining to you, because you are for “some limited growth,” Instead of
      “enough growth to accommodate demand, or change the demand”

      I don’t even know what to make of the rest of your nonsense. “you are speaking to me nicely here?” What. You are trying to be polite?
      Oh yeah. Go try and rent something in those “Dodgy” (aka working class neighborhoods) areas you describe. Do you know what rents are like there? Not fucking cheap.

    45. I arrived here 74 years ago by birth. I welcome young talented people to SF. They made the City “better.” But the fact is those young talented people were better able to compete for jobs and housing and displaced less talented natives. So yes, you are part of the “problem” by increasing the demand. BTW most of my childhood friends and all of my relatives moved out of the City. I wouldn’t say they were “forced” but they found a more affordable and better standard of living by moving. Leaving the City is not a death sentence.

    46. Stop being uncivil towards me. Again, if you have a good job, you’d be able to afford living here. There are low cost programs in Little Hollywood that would help you.

    47. WTF are you talking about?
      Its not about “having a good job” (I and my wife have one)
      Its about being able to afford to live here.

      We can’t. On top of rent, have you tried paying for childcare in this city? I pay more for childcare each month than most people spend on college. And that cost is DIRECTLY linked to rents. As are most of the increased costs of living in the bay area.

      Instead of creating a successful small business 15 years ago, I should have just bought property, and sat on my thumbs. I would have made more money. and that, right there, demonstrates a basic economic problem. Which I would like to see addressed.
      You, apparently don’t.

    48. No, the lower rents usually reflect a more GOP attitude of the state (more libertarian) & the fact that sadly, from what I understand there are not a lot of jobs there.

    49. If you’re not from here, go back to where your parents are from. Sorry, there is no golden freebie ticket here, there NEVER HAS BEEN. And again, I’m not using epithets to you, but you need to find affordable housing, and it’s not in SF, right? I’ve been trying to be helpful but you’re being rude.

    50. We have a job creation engine, it’s called Tech, and again, I’m being kind to you, not all jobs in Tech are coding. Many are not. There’s sites giving out $ to ppl like you, again, I am speaking nicely, I forget the site but they pay for editors & writers & they are superleftwing. GL.

    51. Why do you think I’m British, you fuckwit? I was using British slang so as to not be confrontational, unlike you, who insults peole randlomly, and wants to destroy everything around you in order to hang on to a false sense of unchanging utopian-ism.

      The fact that you think someone who moved here 20 years ago is part of the “problem” demonstrates quite clearly that YOU are the problem. You don’t want people to move here? Close the fucking universities… Like the one where my wife attended grad school 20 years ago.

      Close all the places that bring new people into your little magical spot on the ground. After you do that, then you can bitch and wine about people coming here and displacing “a native” without sounding like a complete hypocrite.

      Do you know what “nativisim” is?
      Yeah. Its basically racism. Good job man.

    52. Don’t complain to me, I’m for some limited growth, but IDT you should get anything at the beach. Why not try Little Hollywood to stay? I am speaking to you nicely here. Or HP. Yes some dodgey areas but THOSE are the ones you need to be in. Stay in at night, only go out during the day.

    53. Well worse actually. Trump did not grab anything but Newsom grabbed his BFF’s WIFE Ruby Tourk, was doing columbian marching powder with her in his limo & shtupping her. He might even be the baby daddy of that child Ruby had with Alex. And hired Ruby to do a nothing job & never come in.

    54. Forcing your family?? You chose to come to the USA from the UK to be a book editor of a tiny book firm! 20 years ago the internet & computers was just gaining it’s power & ppl said it would replace books THEN.

      Also your children are tiny. You’re catastrophizing. Why not move back to the UK, you’ll get free council flats & the deplorable NHS

    55. I don’t own a home in San Francisco. I don’t have rent control. My family is being forced out of San Francisco. Including my two elementary school aged “natives” who were born here.
      Is it really that much to ask that San Francisco builds housing to accommodate the demand? Just the familial population growth of people who already live here dictates we need more housing, never mind the Job creation engine that is the bay area.
      Sorry if these simple demographic facts are inconvenient.

    56. LOL.
      Yeah. I’m part of the problem.
      Because I moved here 20 years ago?

      You are a caricature. I would laugh if tossers like you weren’t forcing my family out of the city.

    57. If Newsom was really motivated by his belief in state law, then why did he pitch to voters to approve 8 Washington when it was on the ballot? Why did he think voters mattered until they rejected his position? Or was his position influenced by the contributions he got from SF Waterfront Partners? What other former mayor has ever sued the voters because they rejected the plans of one of his contributors? Answer: none. Newsom owes the people of San Francisco an apology, preferably followed by his resignation from any office.

    58. If they have a job that pays enough money or marries someone who does they can stay. When you moved here 20 year ago and had children you caused the problem. You forced out a native less talented than you.

    59. ? I don’t believe in BMR housing, period. Nor overbuilding so that your teenage daughters can live here. I’m saying teenage because you said you’ve only been here 20 years & that they are “native” – so we should provide housing for 18 year olds? Let them live in your home in SF.

    60. Sign me up. But Villagairoso is no better. San Diego’s mayor Faulconer is running. I’m going with him.

    61. Newsome as Gov. of California? Is he not the guy that had sex with his buddies wife while he was mayor and checked into rehab? Reminds me of TRUMP…grabbin’ pussies and takin’ names…oh, but he is not famous!

    62. Hey Mr. 4th generation San Franciscan. Sorry my 20 years of living hear doesn’t make me as important as you.

      But my Native Daughters are being forced out of their city because there isn’t enough housing. Will you help keep my daughters in their city? Can you personally provide some BMR housing for our family?

      If not, please get out of the way.

    63. damn Tim. Do we really want direct voter approval over every development? Isn’t that what we have, I don’t know… a planning commission and city plan for?
      Oh wait. you DO want to veto any new development, anywhere, and everywhere.
      Have you EVER supported new housing, anywhere in San Francisco? Ever?

    64. We also need a one birth policy.

      But first and foremost we need to build a wall, and Google will pay for it.

    65. Preservation will only succeed if we have population control. If you want to keep the City as it is or was, then we need to stop people from wanting to move here. Mandatory vascetomies or hysterectomies would be required. But who decides who gets controlled. It is a very difficult situation.

    66. The GOP platform is anti-gay. Nobody is asking you to be a Democrat, but that doesn’t exempt you from being stupid by fantasizing about a GOP candidate who doesn’t exist and who disagrees with most of the GOP platform.

    67. Didn’t Newsom already try that and lose? I think he is barking up the same lame tree that cost the Democrats the election. Newsom and the Democrats who have been pushing all this dense development on us are not paying attention to the hundreds, if not thousands of “preservationists” around the country who are fed up with forced change. I don’t know a better way to say it. Look up “Save our neighborhood” and see how many cities are actively engaged in the “preservation” movement. Of particular interest is voteyesons.org.

      Los Angeles needs to know about this. The Coalition to Preserve LA is a citywide movement that aims to reform L.A.’s broken, rigged and unfair planning and land-use system through Measure S, which has been placed on the March 7, 2017, ballot.

      The whole country is rebelling against forced to change and loss of personal liberty.

    68. Gee, voters in San Francisco have voted 4 times FOR height limits on the waterfront.

      Why does Newsom hate democracy?

    69. He is running for gov & running against him is LA’s Villaigarosa. He’s terrible & both of them are corrupt. This is what happens when you have a one-party state. We need a real non-social con GOP to run against people like him. A pro-green, pro-choice, pro-sustainable, pro-LGBTQ, GOP that is for parks, helping the vets, yet fiscal conservatives.

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