News
Board of Supervisors set to hear Edward II appeal Oct. 4
Court of law likely next stop for controversial subsidized housing project
October 2011
Board of Supervisors set to hear Edward II appeal Oct. 4
Court of law likely next stop for controversial subsidized housing project
October 2011
Neighborhood groups, unhappy after the Planning Commission approved the conversion of the King Edward II Inn (at the corner of Lombard and Scott Streets) to subsidized housing for transitional-age youth, have filed an appeal that is scheduled to be heard by the Board of Supervisors on Oct. 4.
If the Board of Supervisors approves the project as is, it will likely move to a court of law. City Attorney Dennis Herrera is allowing the appeal to move forward, but if it does wind up in court, Herrera’s office would have to defend the city’s position that the project should move forward unchanged.
The Edward II’s sponsors – the Community Housing Partnership (CHP) and Larkin Street Youth Services (LSYS) – have embarked on an e-mail PR campaign that has angered many in the community, portraying them as NIMBY elitists that do not want troubled youth moving into the Marina. They are also criticizing Herrera for allowing the legal challenge to proceed. However, the neighborhood groups’ objections involve serious impacts to the area that have nothing to do with the youth themselves, such as increased population density, impact to the environment, and the lack of outdoor and common space.
Also of great concern to residents is the giant bill for the Edward II conversion, paid for by the city and the state, which is already nearing $4.5 million (and the project is still a long way from completion). At the July hearing before the Planning Commission, Pam Squires – who along with her husband, Howard, built 12 luxury condominiums at 3190 Scott Street across from the Edward II – revealed that the cost of their project was $285 per square foot while the cost for the Edward II comes to $1,120 per square foot. Squires also pointed out that their luxury condominium project has 2,000 square feet of outdoor space and 16 parking spots, while the Edward II project is only one quarter the size of the Squires building and has no outdoor space and no parking.
The Cow Hollow Association, with the support of the Marina Community Association and other neighborhood groups, filed a legal appeal to the negative declaration issued on the project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). This appeal resulted in extensive discussions between the community groups, CHP and LSYS in an attempt to reach an equitable compromise. The parties also met with Supervisor Mark Farrell’s and Supervisor David Chiu’s offices in an attempt to resolve their differences. However, both sides are still far apart on a mutually acceptable proposal. The outcome of the Oct. 4 hearing before the Board of Supervisors will determine whether or not the project’s fate moves to the courts.
Marina residents are encouraged to attend the Board of Supervisors meeting on Oct. 4 to voice their opinions on the Edward II housing project (check the Board of Supervisors calendar at www.sfgov.org to verify times and dates of the hearing, as they frequently change).
If the Board of Supervisors approves the project as is, it will likely move to a court of law. City Attorney Dennis Herrera is allowing the appeal to move forward, but if it does wind up in court, Herrera’s office would have to defend the city’s position that the project should move forward unchanged.
The Edward II’s sponsors – the Community Housing Partnership (CHP) and Larkin Street Youth Services (LSYS) – have embarked on an e-mail PR campaign that has angered many in the community, portraying them as NIMBY elitists that do not want troubled youth moving into the Marina. They are also criticizing Herrera for allowing the legal challenge to proceed. However, the neighborhood groups’ objections involve serious impacts to the area that have nothing to do with the youth themselves, such as increased population density, impact to the environment, and the lack of outdoor and common space.
Also of great concern to residents is the giant bill for the Edward II conversion, paid for by the city and the state, which is already nearing $4.5 million (and the project is still a long way from completion). At the July hearing before the Planning Commission, Pam Squires – who along with her husband, Howard, built 12 luxury condominiums at 3190 Scott Street across from the Edward II – revealed that the cost of their project was $285 per square foot while the cost for the Edward II comes to $1,120 per square foot. Squires also pointed out that their luxury condominium project has 2,000 square feet of outdoor space and 16 parking spots, while the Edward II project is only one quarter the size of the Squires building and has no outdoor space and no parking.
The Cow Hollow Association, with the support of the Marina Community Association and other neighborhood groups, filed a legal appeal to the negative declaration issued on the project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). This appeal resulted in extensive discussions between the community groups, CHP and LSYS in an attempt to reach an equitable compromise. The parties also met with Supervisor Mark Farrell’s and Supervisor David Chiu’s offices in an attempt to resolve their differences. However, both sides are still far apart on a mutually acceptable proposal. The outcome of the Oct. 4 hearing before the Board of Supervisors will determine whether or not the project’s fate moves to the courts.
Marina residents are encouraged to attend the Board of Supervisors meeting on Oct. 4 to voice their opinions on the Edward II housing project (check the Board of Supervisors calendar at www.sfgov.org to verify times and dates of the hearing, as they frequently change).
