Letter sent to San Francisco Mayor London Breed and
Supervisor Engardia

Dear Mayor Breed and Supervisor Engardo,

Subject:  https://sfgov.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=11909851&GUID=7962909D-F96A-41CD-BC72-229395819237

With the 1960’s ” freeway revolt” San Franciscans became more focused on protecting their city from crass, politically-motivated development. Many horrible projects, all fully backed by City Hall, that would have been highly destructive to the unique character of San Francisco were stopped: The planned 53-story US Steel Headquarters located on the waterfront next to the Ferry Building was never built. Nor was the 6 story Oceanic Properties Development that would have protruded 1,300 feet out into the Bay. Nor the proposed highway tunnel under Russian Hill. Nor was the International Market Center, slated to be the fifth largest building in the world, wrapped around the east side of Telegraph Hill. Nor did the Scott/Divisadero Freeway proceed. Nor the plan to transform Upper Market Street into an eight-lane thoroughfare. Nor raising the height limits in North Beach to 65 feet. And many more.

And the ticky tacky residential architecture that degraded cities throughout the world was nipped in the bud in San Francisco.

Political tinkering with the San Francisco Planning Code and watering down CEQA are guaranteed to start the same old wars all over again. San Francisco’s housing problems can be addressed without ruining the City in the process.

Please desist.

Gerald Cauthen PE

 

End of June 2023 Newsletter