Newsletter 2002.10

76 years!
the
Meeting Information - October 29
Potrero Hill Neightborhood House 953 De Haro St. (at Southern Heights)
6:45 - 7:00 PM Refreshments and Social 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM Booster Business Meeting 8:00 PM Candidates for Assessor Mabel Teng and Doris Ward
Serving the Community since 1926
Potrero Community Voice

Published Monthly by the Potrero Boosters Neighborhood Association
October 2002
Mirant Potrero Power Plant Update

Mirant Corp. is still seeking government approval to build a new and much larger power plant at Potrero Point, but without a long-term sales contract it will be impossible for them to finance its construction. Mirants stock closed the week at $1.19 per share, down from more than $38.00 less than a year ago; Reuters reported this week that theyve undergone a restructuring to conserve cash, accepted financing at very high interest rates to avoid bankruptcy, and are looking for partners to share construction costs. Mirant also has not submitted design changes necessary to gain approvals from Federal, State and City agencies and it is therefore doubtful they will get any approval in the next year. The Potrero Boosters and Dogpatch Neighborhood Associations filed a motion to suspend further hearings with the California Energy Commission until Mirant has submitted those design changes. The Boosters position has always been that to shut down PG&Es grossly-polluting Hunters Point Power Plant and Mirant Unit 3 at Potrero Point, some new in-city generation must be built. The Energy Resource Plan recently released by the City showed our position was correct, and that with continued conservation improvements, along with 200 megawatts of new generation, we could improve reliability, reduce air pollution, and develop green renewable energy. Without new facilities, both existing power plants are scheduled for $40 million retrofits in 2004-5 that will prolong the life of these inefficient and very dirty power plants for many years. There are two simple solutions. First, Mirant could apply to build a smaller, easily financed plant, redesigned with redundant features that would allow the shut down of the old plants. This is what the Boosters have been requesting for almost three years, but somehow the idea has escaped Mirants logic. The second solution is the passage of Proposition DSustainable Energy. However, PG&E is funding a million dollar NO on D Blank Check/Take Your Money campaign and has solicited the good old boy support of the Chamber of Commerce and Mayor Willie Brown. Because of the consumer protections built into Prop D, this is unwarranted hysteria on their part. Without a strong Yes on Proposition D, Potrero Hill and Bay View/Hunters Point are faced with air polluting unreliable plants, for many years beyond 2005, along with the threat of equally devastating, continued brown- and black-outs.
Presidents Message
I have often wondered why the City seems to be pushing development at the expense of the neighborhoods. The phenomenon is happening citywide, not just in our neighborhood. For example, there is a proposal to turn the parking lots at Stonestown into housing leading to more even congestion on 19th Avenue, but at the same time generating more revenue for the City. In doing some research on the topic, Ive found that one of the major villains may be Proposition 13. Think about it. Proposition 13 basically froze the property tax rates on real estate at 1978 levels, with a 2% per year escalator. As a long time property owner I like it, but for a politician who is pressured to offer new services and please voters it is a real problem. Where am I going to get the money? Voila! The easiest way to increase tax revenues is to enable new buildings at places like Mission Bay and Showplace Square. Lots of new buildings on the tax rolls at current prices means more tax revenue, which means more money to spend on current services and pet projects. The average homeowner on Potrero Hill has owned their home for ten years; commercial real estate turns over even less often. And its been reported in the press that the City has been slow to re-assess downtown buildings even when theyve been required to do so, due to pressure from those building owners. Think about this as you talk to the Assessor candidates who are coming to our October meeting. What are they going to do to ensure that commercial buildings are properly assessed? Where do they stand on the idea of doing a split tax roll where commercial buildings are assessed at a different rate than owner-occupied small rentals and homes? If we do this it may lower the new-development pressure on neighborhoods like ours. The other assumption we have accepted for years is that Downtown pays more taxes in order to receive more City services is that really true? What are the Assessor candidates going to do to test that assumption? Until there are changes, neighborhood associations must remain ever vigilant to preserve our quality of life. As Sophie Maxwell says, Planning not banning should always be our motto. Growth will happen, but it must be rational, well managed, and fit into the existing character and scale of our communities. John deCastro
Monster Buildings on the Hill

The higher up on Potrero Hill that you get, the bigger, higher and more out of scale and character property owners want to build. Neighbors are fighting the following: 426 Arkansas existing four unit building in a duplex (RH-2) zone will be reduced to three units by adding a floor, an additional basement and a rear yard projection of 12 feet all within a 40 foot height limit. 879 Rhode Island near Southern Heights. Existing substandard homes will be demolished and replaced. Proposed is a 5 stories high building plus a roof deck and stair penthouse. Developer claims this design is within the forty-foot height limit. Five floors? With what, 7 foot ceilings? 891 Carolina near 22nd Street is an existing single family home. Proposed is a duplex with an additional floor, a rear addition and facade alteration. Again, creatively measured within the 40-foot height limit.
Thick Description Needs Us

Thick Description, Potrero Hills professional not-for-profit theater company, has been doing great work at their theater at 18th and Arkansas hit shows, awards, invitations to take their shows on the road, etc. Theyre drawing 14,000 people a year to their small theater, which is impressive. But with funding cuts in this economy, they have to raise $20,000 by the end of the year to keep their ticket prices low and their doors open. They give a lot of time and energy to our neighborhood, and we want to come to their aid. If you can help, by making a gift or simply by subscribing to their season of shows, call them at 415 401-8081 or email [email protected].
(Continued on back page.)
Potrero Community Voice
October 2002
City Planning October 2002
Community Resources
Bldg. Permit App. #200209095715: 1469 18th/315-317 Connecticut St. Cody MAYOR Willie Brown ph: 554-6141 fax 554-6160 Robertson roposes change of use from restaurant (Code Section 711.42) to [email protected] restaurant with entertainment, live music with DJ & amplified sound (Code City Hall 1 Goodlett Place Rm 200 SF Ca 94102 Section 711.48). Contact: Kate McGee, Planner, ph: 558-6367. Web site: http://www.ci.sf.ca.us Bldg. Permit App. #200208224693: 1232 WISCONSIN/25th St. Proposed demolition of existing 4 ft x 14.5 ft rear deck and replacement with 7 ft x 14.5 deck per approved variance #2002.0185V to an existing single family house in an RH-1 zone. Contact: Dan Sider, Planner, ph: 558-6697. Bldg. Permit App. #200208012922: 1364-1366 VERMONT/24/25th Sts. Proposed vertical addition, dormer, to existing duplex in an RH-2 zone Contact: Kate McGee, Planner, ph: 558-6367.
SUPERVISOR FOR DISTRICT 10 (which includes Potrero Hill): Sophie Maxwell (e-mail: [email protected]) Phone: 554-7670, Fax: 554-7674 DEPT of CITY PLANNING Gerald Green, Director 1660 Mission Street, 5th fir, SF, CA 94103 ph: 558-6411 fax 558-64O9 email: [email protected] 201 Williams St, SF 94124 ph: 671-2300 fax 671-2345 ph: 671-2300 fax: 671-2345 http://www.ci.sf.ca.us/police
Bldg. Permit App. #200209035433: 1501-20th/Missouri Sts. Proposed change of use; Retail Sales and Services to Personal Service, Planning Code 711.40 to 711.50 in an NC-2 zone. Contact: Kate McGee, Planner; ph: 558BAYVIEW POLICE STATION 6367. Bldg. Permit App. #200207262404S: 740 WISCONSIN/20th/22nd Sts. Proposed vert. & rear addition to single family house in an RH-2 zone, 40-X. Rear yard 37ft, bldg ht 35 ft, 2 stories over garage. Contact: Jon Purvis, Planner, ph: 558-6354.
Capt. Michael Puccinelli SFPD Web site:
Bldg. Permit App. #200209116209: 866 RHODE ISLAND/20th/22nd Sts. Proposed alteration rear deck replacement in an RH-3 zone. Contact: Ben A. President Fu, Planner, ph: 558-6613. Bldg. Permit App. #200208022998: 722 ARKANSAS/Madera/22nd Sts. Proposal to replace existingg front deck & stairs in an RH-2, 40-X zone. Contact: Kate McGee, Planner, ph: 558-6367. Bldg. Permit App. #200210078397: 631 SAN BRUNO/18th/19th Sts. Proposed demolition & replacement/enlargement of existing rear deck. Contaact: Julian Banales, Planner, ph: 558-6339.
Potrero Boosters Executive Board

First Vice President Second Vice President Recording Secretary Corresponding Sec. Treasurer Sergeant-at-Arms Auditors John deCastro 865-0669 Joe Boss 647-1727 Tony Kelly 341-1310 Dick Millet 861-0345 Kepa Askenasy 431-2304 Paul Minton 648-6700 Ellen Kernaghan 824-5065 Jean Neblett 550-2613 George Guenther 282-6822
Monster Buildings, continued from front page.

How do these buildings fit into the neighborhood scale and character, and the Residential Design Guidelines? Are developers just ignoring the 40 foot height limit, like we saw with the Live Work buildings? Discretionary Reviews have been filed on all these projects. They need to be challenged. They set precedents. Get involved or one will be coming to your block soon! For more information, call Dick Millet 861-0345. Dick Millet
Newsletter Editor: Ralph Wilson 824-8749 ([email protected]) Our Web Site: potreroboosters.org Cort Dugan, Webmaster ([email protected]) Tuesday November 19 Program: PG&E High Pressure Gas conversion on Potrero Hill and how to get undergrounding on your block. SF General Hospital reconstruction program.
The Potrero Boosters Neighborhood Association is devoted to issues of particular importance to the Potrero Hill neighborhood. Our goals are to act as a forum for concerned Potrero residents and to participate actively in policy and development decisions that affect the quality of life here on the Hill. Meetings are the last Tuesday of the month (7:00 p.m. at the Potrero Hill Neighborhood House) and are open to non-members. Dues: Individual $25, Household (couple) $30, Senior $20, Business $30. Mail check to Potrero Boosters, 1459 18th St., #133, San Francisco, CA 94107. (Make checks payable to: Potrero Boosters.) Enclosed is $________ for __membership(s). Contributions $________ New __ Renewal __ Name(s)________________________________________ (Business)______________________________________ Address _________________________________________________ e-mail _________________________________________ Home phone ____________________ Business phone ____________________Prefer e-mail newsletter (Y/N)? ____ Interests/Concerns/Comments____________________________________________________________________________
The Potrero Community Voice Potrero Boosters Neighborhood Association 1459 18th St. PMB 133 San Francisco, CA 94107
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Newsletter 2002.10

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76 years!

Serving the Community since 1926

Potrero Community Voice

Mirant Potrero Power Plant Update

Monster Buildings on the Hill

Thick Description Needs Us

(Continued on back page.)

Potrero Community Voice

City Planning October 2002

Capt. Michael Puccinelli SFPD Web site:

Potrero Boosters Executive Board

Monster Buildings, continued from front page.

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