Yesterday the SF County Transportation Authority met at City Hall. The Balboa Area Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Framework was on the agenda for approval. [Read entire TDM here (PDF).]

The commission approved the TDM in this form, although it is a nonbinding document. However, it was encouraging to see that various of the supervisors responded favorably to concerns raised by members of the public who were present at the meeting. That included SNA President Stephen Martinpinto and Chair of SNA’s Balboa Reservoir Committee, Rita Evans. Rita reports the following (emphasis website editor’s):

“SFCTA comprises the Board of Supervisors acting as Commissioners so we were directing our comments to the supervisors. While they did vote to approve the framework, there were a number of very interesting comments during the discussion period.

“A shuttle, and a developer-funded shuttle in particular, was mentioned by several commissioners. The word ‘shuttle’ may have barely made it into the draft TDM, but it sure was on people’s radar at today’s SFCTA meeting. Jeremy Shaw [of SF Planning Dept] did some waffling when asked whether the developer supports or would fund a shuttle and was called out by Supervisor Cohen, who asked him if that was a ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Jeremy said he could not speak for the developer.

“Supervisor Cohen characterized Avalon Bay as ‘a difficult company to work with.’ She said AB will create a lot of problems for the city. She specifically cited labor contracts, hiring union workers, and paying prevailing wages. Cohen also said it is essential that the developers and the development ‘be mindful and respectful of current residents.’ Cohen proposed a continuing resolution which would have tabled action until next month but was persuaded to withdraw it.

“Supervisor Breed asked a number of questions about public input, public meetings and how comments have been incorporated. She asked about the level of involvement and engagement with City College and wanted to know specifically about any meetings held between Planning Dept and CCSF.

“Supervisor Yee spoke at length, before and after public comments, and summarized the memo he has added to the TDM Framework (it will be included in the final version). He urged the authority to approve the document after acknowledging its many flaws and limitations and noting that decisions would be based on planning reports and other documents yet to come.

“Yee also said that if the Residential Parking Permit program is part of the developer’s final package of measures to address parking demand, then he’s going to ask that the developer pay the costs, not existing residents.”

Continue reading “Balboa Area TDM approved; Commission shows support for shuttle idea” →