Proposition H - Neighborhood Commercial Districts and City Permitting

Summary

This ordinance would require coordination and streamlining of the City review of permits for establishment, modification, and/or operation of storefront commercial use in the City’s designated neighborhood commercial districts and neighborhood commercial transit districts and for the review to be completed within 30 days. Fees for additional reviews required due to City errors would be waived. The ordinance also updates and expands zoning laws in order to support certain small businesses.

A "YES" vote on Proposition H is a vote in favor of relaxing zoning restrictions on businesses and expediting the permitting process for stores in neighborhood commerical districts and neighborhood commercial transit districts within San Francisco.

A "NO" vote on Proposition H is a vote against relaxing zoning restrictions on businesses and expediting the permitting process for stores in neighborhood commerical districts and neighborhood commercial transit districts within San Francisco.

Arguments

"Proposition H will help existing small businesses adapt during the pandemic to keep their shops open and employees on the job. By cutting the red tape and streamlining the length permitting process, Prop H will help new neighborhood businesses open and create jobs as we emerge from the pandemic.", in support of Proposition H (Learn more)

"More than 300 of our city's restaurants have closed permanently, and more than 1,700 more could close by December 2020. We've all seen the boarded up windows and 'for rent' signs in our merchant corridors, threatening both the vibrancy of our neighborhoods, and the livelihoods of business owners and employees. Our small businesses cannot wait for the Board of Supervisors to pass legislation that should have been passed years ago.", in support of Proposition H (Learn more)

"Proposition H is a terribly complicated ordinance that changes land use controls and City permits. This ordinance was not presented to the Board of Supervisors through the regular legislative process, and it was not subject to hearings at the Planning Commission or the Small Business Commission. In my opinion, it is exactly the type of measure that should be handled at City Hall and not by the voters.", in opposition to Proposition H (Learn more)

"We want, and need, thoughtful land use controls in those districts that are tailored to the needs of each neighborhood. The Neighborhood Commercial Rezoning Study brought neighborhood and small business interests together to do just that more than 30 years ago. Changing the Planning Code should be done with public and stakeholder input at the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors.", in opposition to Proposition H (Learn more)

Measure Details