The ordinance allows the City to waive certain housing fees and requirements for residential and neighborhood commercial projects outside specific areas if the developer agrees to rent control for all units. It also permits these projects to meet inclusionary housing requirements by dedicating land to the City and mandates periodic reports to the Planning Commission.
Ordinance amending the Planning Code to allow the City to waive the Inclusionary Housing Fee and other requirements in certain residential and neighborhood commercial districts outside of the Priority Equity Geographies Special Use District (SUD) in exchange for a project sponsor’s agreement to subject all units in the project to rent control; and allow projects in certain residential and neighborhood commercial districts outside of the Priority Equity Geographies SUD to comply with the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance by dedicating land to the City; requiring periodic reports to the Planning Commission; affirming the Planning Department’s determination under the California Environmental Quality Act; making findings of consistency with the General Plan, and the eight priority policies of Planning Code Section, 101.1; and making public necessity, convenience, and welfare findings under Planning Code, Section 302.
How it got here
The legislation originated from the need to address housing affordability and displacement in San Francisco, prompted by the city's updated Housing Element and the challenges identified in the 2022 Housing Balance Report.
The Association determined that San Francisco's Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) is approximately 82,000 new residential units.
The City updated its Housing Element, which is a plan for housing from 2023 to 2031, focusing on racial and social equity.
The Board adopted Ordinance 248-23, designating areas of vulnerability in the city.
Supervisor Melgar introduced the ordinance to amend the Planning Code to allow waiving the Inclusionary Housing Fee in exchange for rent control agreements.
The Planning Department determined that the proposed ordinance complies with the California Environmental Quality Act.
The Planning Commission adopted Resolution No. 21844, finding the ordinance consistent with the General Plan and priority policies.
The Board of Supervisors finally passed the ordinance, allowing for the waiver of the Inclusionary Housing Fee in exchange for rent control.
Reconstructed from attached documents & the official record
