Out of the shadows: S.F. limits when shade can be used to block new housing
San Francisco supervisors passed a law that limits when shade cast by new buildings can be used to block housing. The measure is aimed at cutting some of the red tape in the city's housing approval process, which Mission Local calls notorious.
Housing & Land Use
4 stories, 3 outletsPlanning Association Debates La Playa Safeway Development Plan
A neighborhood planning association debated a proposal to replace the Safeway on La Playa Street with a new store and 562 homes. Under state law and legislation by state Sen. Scott Wiener, the project has been streamlined, which limits neighborhood residents' input to city officials.
New affordable apartments in Visitacion Valley open applications
A new four-story affordable apartment building called Luca at 1652 Sunnydale Ave. opens next year, and 23 of its 95 units are open to applications from households of one to seven people. Rents run from $1,749 for a one-bedroom to $2,426 for a three-bedroom, with income limits. Applications are due Oct. 22 at 5 p.m., and the lottery is Nov. 12.
S.F. supervisor looks to restrict when landlords can evict ‘nuisance’ tenants
Supervisor Myrna Melgar wants to pass legislation that spells out what counts as a nuisance in eviction cases. Melgar said landlords can currently abuse the rule, and the bill would tighten the definition.
San Francisco supervisors pass 45-day data-center moratorium
San Francisco supervisors passed a 45-day moratorium on new data centers. The freeze pauses the expansion of several centers in the city and could be extended or made permanent.
Public Safety
3 stories, 3 outletsSan Francisco Tightens Flock Camera Rules, but Privacy Advocate Calls Changes ‘Performative’
Mayor Daniel Lurie announced new restrictions on how police can access and share information from the city's automated license plate readers, saying the changes protect a crime-fighting tool while addressing privacy concerns. Some of the safeguards have been required under California law for about a decade, and several recommendations from a Human Rights Commission investigation were left out. Privacy advocate Brian Hofer of Secure Justice called the changes performative.
Horrified by SFPD’s handling of rape cases, supervisors to grill police brass at hearing
San Francisco supervisors plan to question police leaders at a hearing about the department's handling of rape cases. A new set of recommendations would rewrite how sex crimes are processed, from the first 911 call to the closing of a case.
Warfield staff describe fear, chaos before fatal shooting of security guard
Warfield employees described chaos and fear before security guard Ulysses Tykee Davis was fatally shot in downtown San Francisco. Staff at the Market Street venue spoke about the moments before the shooting.
Education
1 story, 1 outletSFUSD is set to overhaul its enrollment lottery. Nobody can agree on how
The San Francisco Unified School District is preparing to overhaul its student enrollment lottery, and two options remain under consideration. Both would guarantee a seat at a neighborhood school to families who apply on time.
Business & Tech
1 story, 1 outletLandlord moves to evict this AI unicorn to clear space for Anthropic
A landlord has moved to evict the AI startup Physical Intelligence from its Mission District office to make room for Anthropic, according to a lawsuit. The suit alleges the company overstayed its lease and expanded into unleased areas, which it improved without consent.