SNA D7 Candidates’ Forum Questions

October 5th, 2020, 6:30-8:00 PM, via Zoom.

Listen to the audio recording of the Forum here.

1. Participatory Budgeting: We understand that if elected all District 7 Candidates have pledged to continue the participatory budget process, a process by which community members can submit proposals for neighborhood improvements to be funded by the City related to pedestrian safety, aesthetics, and disaster preparedness. 

Can you confirm that you are going to continue the process? What projects you would like to see put forth in Sunnyside specifically and more broadly in District 7?

2. Balboa Reservoir Development: The Sunnyside community has spent countless hours over many years working with the City and the Balboa Reservoir Developers to ensure that it’s interests were taken into account.  

Now that a development agreement has been approved by the City, how will you ensure that all of the promises related to neighborhood amenities and construction impacts are kept? How will you ensure that necessary transit improvements around the project actually happen?

3. Housing: San Francisco suffers from a housing affordability crisis, especially for middle-class families.  

What is your position regarding changes to zoning for Westside neighborhoods like Sunnyside, related to housing development? What, if any, zoning changes would you support for the Westside?

4. Property Crime: There has been an uptick in property crimes in Sunnyside and District 7, especially car break-ins and home and garage break-ins. What will you do to reduce property crimes in the District? 

5. Monterey Boulevard/Commercial Activity: Fifteen years ago the Ocean Avenue corridor was physically run down and commercially sleepy, and now it is a vibrant strip with extensive improvements.  By contrast, over the same time period, the sidewalks of Monterey Boulevard have deteriorated to the point of injuring pedestrians, and the commercial district remains stagnant.  

How will you help Sunnyside repair and improve the physical infrastructure and help create a more vibrant commercial district on Monterey Boulevard? [Bonus points if you have a solution to replace or upgrade the dilapidated Safeway].

6. Covid-19 Response: Since it appears that Covid-19 will be with us for the foreseeable future, what is your opinion on the Mayor and Board of Supervisors’ response to the pandemic? 

What if anything would you do differently with regard to balancing the safety of residents and students, as well as business interests?

7. City College: City College has always been an integral part of the Sunnyside community. The college has suffered a series of setbacks in recent years.

How do you anticipate interacting with City College? How do you propose to support the Ocean Campus? How would you like to see it develop?