SoMa Community Plan Moves Forward in Series of Town Hall Meetings SAN FRANCISCO (July 5, 2007) - Tremendous turnout at last week's Town Hall meeting. This was the first in a series of community forums meant to gather input for the Western SoMa Community Plan. Attendees filled out surveys and participated in focused discussions on transportation, business and land use, arts and entertainment and complete neighborhoods. Issues and questions discussed will be summarized in a document that should be available by the middle of August. The San Francisco Bay Guardian provided extensive coverage of the event in its July 4th edition. Your input into what it's like to live, work and play in Western South of Market will be used to help develop zoning recommendations for our neighborhood. Click here to participate in our Residential Survey. Also, small business owners are urged to participate in our Business Survey. Click here to help us gather ideas on how to spend a portion of the estimated $22 million SoMa Community Stabilization Fund to strengthen small business, and to inform our discussion of zoning changes for Western SoMa. If you are a member of a neighborhood organization, homeowners' association, business group or other association interested in contributing input into the Western SoMa community planning process, contact the Task Force at (415) 575-6926 or visit our web site at: http://www.sfgov.org/site/westernsoma SoMa Chain Store Policies Adopted by Planning Commission SAN FRANCISCO (March 8, 2007) - The Planning Commission has unanimously adopted policies regulating formula retail (chain store) developments in the Western SoMa Special Use District. Enactment of these policies completes a set of recommendations from the Western SoMa Citizens Planning Task Force.  Last year the Task Force successfully convinced the Board of Supervisors to impose Conditional Use (CU) status on formula retail uses, which requires an open hearing and gives neighbors more say over developments that affect their community. The Board also imposed a brief moratorium during which time the Task Force assembled a set of policies to be used in the CU deliberations that reflected specific neighborhood concerns. These policies regulate the size, use types and locations of formula retail establishments. Large out-of-scale businesses in proximity to smaller existing retail uses are discouraged, as are clusters of chain stores such as strip mall type developments. Auto-oriented uses north of I-80, drive-through and stand alone establishments are also discouraged. The policies encourage the integration of pedestrian-friendly, publicly accessible open space into new developments and also require street entrances to ensure more active and safer street life. Daly Wins! The Counting Continues SAN FRANCISCO (December 5, 2006) - Last Friday it was clear that there are not sufficient uncounted ballots to change the results of the District 6 election. Chris Daly has been reelected. The Department of Elections’ final returns are as follows: CHRIS DALY 8,654 (48.82%) ROB BLACK 7,051 (39.77%) MATT DRAKE 669 (3.77%) DAVY JONES 372 (2.10%) VILIAM DUGOVIC 330 (1.91%) MANUEL JIMENEZ, JR. 311 (1.86%) GEORGE DIAS 208 (1.75%) ROBERT JORDAN 119 (.67%) Since no candidate exceeded 50%, ranked choice voting, which eliminates the lowest candidates and redistributes their voters’ second choices, was employed. Following five passes of RCV, Daly was declared the winner with 50.822%. Here are the final RCV results for the two leading candidates: CHRIS DALY 8,654 ROB BLACK 7,303 Community Pot Luck Celebrates SoMa’s Diversity and Start of 2006 Supervisor Campaign SAN FRANCISCO (August 20, 2006) - Several hundred neighbors enjoyed last Wednesday's SoMa Community Pot Luck. Everyone went home with something ... including great door prizes, a full stomach and undoubtedly a better understanding of how this community works. I sincerely hope the participating community organizations and candidates for District 6 Supervisor appreciated the fact that those in attendance represented the diversity of South of Market. The evening would not have been possible without the generous support of so many of you. First and foremost, we owe our sincere thanks to The Arc of San Francisco. They have unselfishly opened their doors to community gatherings like this for nearly ten years. In addition, my gratitude goes out to the volunteers and coordinators who organized all the aspects that added up to such a successful evening. I apologize now to those individuals that I might have neglected to name below but I thank all of you for helping to produce and participate in such an unforgettable event. Jim Meko Chair, SoMa Leadership Council (415) 624-4309 jim.meko@comcast.net THE 2006 SOMA COMMUNITY POT LUCK Wednesday, August 16, from 6:00-9:00 PM at The Arc of San Francisco, 1500 Howard Street (at 11th) volunteers and coordinators Brian Wallace - candidate liaison Dennis Juarez - food and door prizes Toby Levy - door prizes Paul Lord - community organizations Jamie Delman - decorations Ken Werner - publicity Sue Contreras - publicity and voter registration Kris Schaeffer - publicity and hostess Lynn Valente - hostess Kaye Griffin - hostess food contributors Gayle Rubin and Jay Marston - Lebanese tabouleh (tomato, parsely and bulgher salad) Hotel Utah - hummus platter w/pita Ted's Market - Greek trays Sean and Isabel Manchester from Wish - macaroni and cheese casserole and tossed salad Anthony Faber - brown rice Great American Music Hall - mini-Italian meatballs Sue Contreras and Save our San Francisco Tennis Club (SOSFTC) - deli sandwiches Oliver Paine from Butter - sandwich assortment Paul Lord - Thai chicken curry and rice Louise Bird - pork loins Dennis Juarez and the staff from Slims - vegetarian enchillada casserole and corn bread surprise Bowsers Pizza - pizzas  Don Ramon's - taquitos and enchiladas Doug Pace - fruit platter Jamie Delman - fresh fruit Golden Brands - water and fruit juices donors Save our San Francisco Tennis Club (SOSFTC) SoMa Health Center Dan Becco Karen Nolan Jeffrey Leibovitz George Miller door prizes Capricorn Coffees Brainwash Stompers Boots Slims Hotel Utah Butter Great American Music Hall  Annie's Social Club Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival Peekabootique Jeremy’s South Park Café CounterPULSE ARCH Drafting & Art Supplies Clif Bar, the energy bar company San Francisco Late Night Coalition Loft 11 participating candidates Rob Black  (415) 956-0611 rob@robblack2006.com www.robblack2006.com  Chris Daly  (415) 574-8539  superdaly@yahoo.com    www.daly06.com George Dias  (415) 505-9699 georgedias@comcast.net  www.georgedias.org Matthew Drake   (415) 385-1301  mattdrake2006@yahoo.com   www.mattdrake2006.com  Manuel Jimenez (415) 244-5305  sfesquire@gmail.com   http://district6supervisor.blogspot.com/2006/02/impeach-bush.html community organizations South of Market Community Action Network April Veneracion (415) 348-1945 aveneracion@somcan.org The Bayanihan Center (415) 348-804 lisa@bayanihancc.org  Bindlestiff Theater Bryan Pangilinan (415) 244-488 bpangi@sbcglobal.net  SoMa Child Care Center Judith Baker  judith@somacc.org Oasis for Girls Rachel Paras (415) 701-799 rparas@sfoasis.org  Senior Action Network Barbara Blong (415) 546-1336 barbara@senioractionnetwork.org  SF Veterans Equity Center Luisa Antonio  (415) 255-2347 sfvec@yahoo.com Safety Network Program Lisa Block (415) 538-8100 x202 lblock@iisf.org Western SoMa Citizens Planning Task Force Paul Lord (415) 558-6311 paul.lord@sfgov.org Local Clubs Sponsor Enhanced Security   For 11th Street Corridor SAN FRANCISCO (June 30, 2006) - Nightclubs and related businesses in the 11th Street area have joined together to fund a three month trial program, working with the San Francisco Police Department, to put two officers on foot patrol in the neighborhood. Captain Denis O'Leary is supplementing the fund to make the assignment more attractive to off-duty officers. These beat cops will work full eight hour shifts on Friday and Saturday nights and will respond to the myriad of complaints regarding illegal activities on the streets surrounding the clubs. The program is being facilitated by the San Francisco Entertainment Commission. Maps delineating the service area are being prepared and a system will be put in place to measure the effectiveness of the program. The intention is to begin the program the weekend of July 7, assuming the SFPD can provide the necessary officers. To the best of their ability, officials at Southern Station will draw from a small pool of officers so that they become familiar faces in the neighborhood. Get out there and welcome the officers and thank the late night community for this positive step. Five Community Planning Positions Currently Open SAN FRANCISCO (JUNE 30, 2006) - Last Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors gave final approval to the appointments of four new members of the Western SoMa Citizens Planning Task Force. Kaye Griffin will represent the disabled, Lynn Valente assumes the seat set aside for residents of "SoMa West," Anthony Faber will ensure that preservation interests are addressed and Tom Radulovich becomes the transportation advocate. These positions remain open:  Resident of Western SoMa (less than three years) Representing the interests of Seniors Representing the interests of Families Representing the interests of Youth Representing the interests of the Homeless Contact the Clerk of the Rules Committee, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 244, San Francisco, CA 94102-4689. Completed applications should be submitted to the Clerk of the Board. Dream School for the South of Market Becomes a Reality SAN FRANCISCO (May 16, 2006) - Angelica Cabande from the SoMa Community Coalition forwarded the following press release: On Tuesday May 9, 2006, parents, students and community workers breathed a big sigh of relief as the Board of Education voted 6-1 in support of a Pre-kindergarten through 8th Grade Program at Bessie Carmichael/FEC School, Resolution No. 63-28A3 written by Commissioner Mark Sanchez. The resolution will result in the modest conversion of an existing school site into a second campus for the older children. Not only does this community-board solution maximize existing school facilities, but it also supports the preservation of the State of California’s only Tagalog-English Immersion program, an important resource for the South of Market’s large Filipino Community.   “For many years, we have been emphasizing the need for a middle school in the South of Market, but no action was taken by SF Unified School District (SFUSD). Having a K-8 program at Bessie Carmichael/FEC School will address the community’s needs as well as retain students in the SF Unified School District”, stated by Tina Alejo, parent & teacher. In 2002, SOMCAN (South of Market Community Action Network) in collaboration with other youth serving organization in the South of Market conducted a needs assessment of neighborhood youth in which 60% expressed the desire for a middle school in the neighborhood as a top priority. In 2005, parents and SOMCAN had conducted a 6th grade commitment survey with the Bessie Carmichael’s 5th grade parents and 90 % had expressed they would like to have sixth grade added in the Bessie Carmichael/FEC 2005-2006 school year and a full K-8 in the following years. This community survey was the foundation for the parents’ outcry at Board of Education meetings.   At the Tuesday’s Board of Education hearing, students along with parents and advocates spoke about safety, strong community bond, great quality of education and attention they receive from the teachers, as some of the reasons for having an expanded pre K-8 program. President Norman Yee stated at the hearing, “I made a commitment to the school, to these students and parents ever since I voted the 6th grade in last year. It isn’t fair if we don’t continue our commitment for a better school for them as well as it doesn’t make sense to let the 6th graders compete to get in other middle schools since most of our schools are already jam packed. Also, this has been a long time struggle for the community, over 10 years I believed; therefore it’s time the District take action and work with them.”   Lack of money was heavily emphasized by Commissioner Jill Wynns, who was the only objector for the resolution, but community advocates came out strong, by demanding that the District look at alternative resources with the community, such as the School Impact Fee (which developers are required to pay in San Francisco) and the SoMa Stabilization Fund that was heavily fought for by the SoMa Community Coalition (SCC). Bessie Carmichael/FEC School, the only school in the neighborhood, was one of the priorities identified to stabilize the community and retain families. Chain Store Controls and Neighborhood Notification Recommended for Western SoMa SAN FRANCISCO (February 27, 2006) – The Western SoMa Citizens Planning Task Force passed two resolutions on Wednesday, February 22 that urged the Board of Supervisors to take steps to stabilize the neighborhood while the 22 member task force deliberates over the neighborhood's future. The Task Force resolved to ask the Board to modify existing legislation designed to prevent the proliferation of chain stores in neighborhood commercial districts for use in the mixed-use zoning of western South of Market. The Board was asked to amend the planning code to require a Conditional Use authorization for the siting of formula retail uses. In another action, the Task Force requested that the Board of Supervisors amend the planning code to require notification of nearby residents and property owners of any significant efforts to change the use of any parcel or expand the envelope of any buildings in the planning area. Most other neighborhoods are afforded this courtesy, but due to its unique zoning, Western SoMa enjoys no such advisories. As planning efforts progress, there is a sense that developers and speculators will endeavor to have their projects entitled prior to the imposition of new land use controls. Stronger restrictions on formula retail, combined with existing controls on "big box" retail and possible interim controls or moratoria are additional land use tools under consideration that can stabilize communities while residents produce new land use controls. The Western SoMa Citizens Planning Task Force is a 22 member body, composed of a broad range of stakeholders, appointed by the Board of Supervisors to advise the Board and the Planning Commission, following the drafting of a new Neighborhood Plan, on the possible rezoning of the western half of South of Market. for more news, visit the news archivehttp://www.sfbg.com/entry.php?entry_id=3990&catid=&volume_id=254&issue_id=304&volume_num=41&issue_num=40http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=JaVmCldrtyPi6ZTii3UQeA_3d_3dhttp://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=F2XlzTjknzO8SKuoyhcH4g_3d_3dhttp://www.sfgov.org/site/westernsomamailto:jim.meko@comcast.netmailto:rob@robblack2006.comhttp://www.robblack2006.com/mailto:superdaly@yahoo.comhttp://www.daly06.com/mailto:georgedias@comcast.nethttp://www.georgedias.org/mailto:mattdrake2006@yahoo.comhttp://www.mattdrake2006.com/mailto:sfesquire@gmail.comhttp://district6supervisor.blogspot.com/2006/02/impeach-bush.htmlhttp://district6supervisor.blogspot.com/2006/02/impeach-bush.htmlmailto:aveneracion@somcan.orgmailto:%20lisa@bayanihancc.orgmailto:bpangi@sbcglobal.netmailto:judith@somacc.orgmailto:rparas@sfoasis.orgmailto:%20barbara@senioractionnetwork.orgmailto:sfvec@yahoo.commailto:lblock@iisf.orgmailto:paul.lord@sfgov.orgNews_archive.htmlshapeimage_2_link_0shapeimage_2_link_1shapeimage_2_link_2shapeimage_2_link_3shapeimage_2_link_4shapeimage_2_link_5shapeimage_2_link_6shapeimage_2_link_7shapeimage_2_link_8shapeimage_2_link_9shapeimage_2_link_10shapeimage_2_link_11shapeimage_2_link_12shapeimage_2_link_13shapeimage_2_link_14shapeimage_2_link_15shapeimage_2_link_16shapeimage_2_link_17shapeimage_2_link_18shapeimage_2_link_19shapeimage_2_link_20shapeimage_2_link_21shapeimage_2_link_22shapeimage_2_link_23shapeimage_2_link_24shapeimage_2_link_25

photo by paul lord

photo by jim meko