Jun 4, 2008 1:08 am US/Pacific
SF Voters Pass Bayview Development, Parcel Tax
SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) ―
San Francisco voters considered eight local propositions in Tuesday's primary election, approving a parcel tax to improve public education, as well as reform of the city's retirement benefits program, and one of two development proposals for one of the city's most neglected neighborhoods.
The vote totals were unofficial tallies announced by the San Francisco Elections Department late Tuesday.
By a narrow margin, voters approved Proposition A, a $198 annual parcel tax to raise funds for the San Francisco Unified School District. The parcel tax will last 20 years, and the funding will go toward salary increases and training for teachers, enhancing student programs and technology.
The proposition was placed on the ballot by the San Francisco Board of Education, and would bring in an estimated $28 million in revenues each year.
It required a two-thirds majority for passage and voters appear to have approved it by 69.8 percent.
Proposition B, approved by 73.6 percent of voters, will amend city law to increase the number of years of work required for some city employees to receive retirement health benefits, and set up a separate retiree health care trust fund. The proposition was intended to begin to address the city's future retirement benefits liability for its 25,000-member workforce, estimated at about $4 billion.
Propositions F and G presented alternate proposals for the development of Candlestick Point and the Hunters Point Shipyard, low-income areas in the city's Bayview District. In 2007 the city outlined a plan to revitalize the area by building thousands of new housing units—at least 25 percent of them affordable housing—as well as public parks, commercial space and a possible site for a new stadium for the San Francisco 49ers.
Proposition F, endorsed by Supervisor Chris Daly, would have required any housing developments built in the area to have at least 50 percent of the units be affordable housing, and that preference for that housing be given to families of low or moderate income.
Proposition F was defeated by voters Tuesday, with 62 percent voting against, while Proposition G was approved by 61.3 percent of voters.
Proposition G will make it city policy to encourage the timely development of Candlestick Point and the Hunters Point Shipyard to include: 300 acres of public parks and open space; between 8,500 and 10,000 new homes or rental units; available commercial, scientific and industrial space; and a possible site for a new 49ers stadium.
The measure received support from Supervisor Sophie Maxwell, who represents the Bayview District, Mayor Gavin Newsom and developer Lennar Corp.
Proponents claimed the measure would contribute to the toxic cleanup of the Shipyard while creating jobs and affordable housing for residents.
Opponents asserted the measure promises but does not ensure such goals, and that Lennar, an out-of-state developer, has been given a sweetheart deal on the project and intends to build luxury high-rise condominiums in the area.
Lennar recently announced an agreement with the San Francisco Labor Council whereby the developer would commit to making about 32 percent of an estimated 10,000 planned housing units in the development affordable.
San Francisco voters also approved four other propositions on the ballot.
Proposition C, approved by 56.9 percent, will broaden the city's law disallowing city employees convicted of crimes involving "moral turpitude" from receiving any retirement benefits.
Proposition D, approved by 58.8 percent, will toughen a city law that already requires diversity and equal representation on city boards and commissions, and add a requirement that diversity data on such appointments be tracked and analyzed every two years.
Proposition E, approved by 52.7 percent, will change city law regarding the mayor's appointment of the five-member San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, which oversees the city's utilities and energy and water supplies. It will require a majority of the Board of Supervisors to approve the mayor's Public Utilities Commission appointments, and will also add specific qualifications for Public Utilities Commission appointments.
Proposition H, approved by 66.6 percent, will make it illegal for elected city officials, candidates and political committees they oversee to ask for or accept campaign contributions from contractors with pending or recently approved contracts before that person or committee.
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