Robert Haaland’s Response to Questionnaire

1) The current proposal for the U.C. Berkeley Extension property, a 6-acre site located between Laguna, Haight, Buchanan and Hermann streets, calls for the development of 500 housing units, with 80-88% market-rate rentals and the remainder income-restricted rentals. Market-rate rentals that are not subject to rent control often have a high rate of turnover, attracting transient renters who are looking for a “temporary” home. On the other hand, “affordable” housing tenants tend to remain in their apartments for many years. Do you believe the proposed amount of affordable housing is appropriate? Further, do you believe that housing on this site should be entirely rental? If not, what will you do to negotiate housing opportunities for a wider mix of income levels or home ownership on the U.C. Extension property?

The community process has moved too fast as it relates to this property and there needs to be much more discussion and education on what is possible to create at this location. If the community decides to reject construction of new housing at this location, we should be aware that UC could create other uses there that we may not have input on.  There is a tremendous nee d f or affordable housing in San Francisco </st1:city>. The Extension property could assist in allocating a larger number of units toward low- to moderate-income individuals an d f amilies.  Its location, which is near main transportation corridors and would not require much new parking, woul d f it well with components of the Housing Element. These factors would make it viable for families with children, seniors, and those using public transportation to live there. I support ensuring that there is a child care facility as well as community and arts serving businesses and an art studio on that location. As Supervisor, I will vigorously work with the neighbors and the developers to see what compromises and accommodations can be made to achieve these ends. My understanding is that unless UC gives over the title, we cannot create homeownership opportunities there.

2) The Park and Rec Department seems particularly hard hit with layoffs and cutbacks. There will be a new director for Parks and Rec who will have to deal with these challenges. Explain how you will select and support this new director with these specific issues in mind: voters repeatedly approve capital improvements funding for parks showing their support, but then the city cuts maintenance resulting in rapid deterioration of parks (in our community, the focal Koshland <st1:placetype> Park </st1:placetype> is one such example). What is your commitment to adequate maintenance budgets? What is your target level of financial support for parks (vs. current actual levels)?

Another mission of Parks and Rec is children's programs. These have also seen severe cutbacks resulting in kids with little outlet for productive expression. The result is detrimental to the children and the community. The Western Addition, including Hayes <st1:placetype> Valley </st1:placetype> , is especially hard hit with its high concentration of at-risk children. How are you going to support Park and Rec restoring these programs?

The Rec and Park Department has developed a terrible reputation. There has been not been sufficient fiscal responsibility and oversight with regard to capital and maintenance budgets in this department. Many parks are deteriorating and some are simply closed.  For too long, there has been insufficient planning and accountability. As a result, residents suffer because our parks are insufficiently tended, and money used to make improvements is wasted due to poor upkeep. As Supervisor, I will push for a more thorough and long-range planning for capital needs, including reasonable budgeting for maintenance. Too often, our capital planning has fallen prey to interests lining up for the ballot. Our attention is focused on the next GO Bond campaign with consultants and donors who are lined up in support of their favored projects. I believe we must take a longer-range view: assess needs for City parks and other infrastructure needs; determine which projects can utilize other forms of financing (such as certificates of participation, grants, etc.); and reserve GO bonds for those critical projects for which no other financing is available.

Furthermore, the Rec and Park Department has not fulfilled its mission of providing adequate recreational programs for our youth. In an urban environment, cutting programs that serve children’s recreational needs is simply criminal. As Supervisor, I will restore these programs and work with the community to ensure that our youths have ample opportunities for recreation.

3) Part of the purpose of the recent chain store legislation spearheaded by Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association is that it will help to preserve San Francisco 's cultural and architectural heritage from being replaced by the "formula" architecture and interiors of large national chain stores. There is also sentiment in Hayes Valley in favor of designating certain parts of the neighborhood as historic districts as a way of preserving neighborhood character. What is your position on Historic and Architectural preservation?

Over the years, I have consistently supported efforts dedicated to historic preservation. The character of a community must be an integral part of an honest community-planning process, and oftentimes, it is members of the community that seek to preserve the very characteristics that first attracted them to the area. The only times I have objected to historic preservation arguments is when a building has become inhabitable and the socio-economic issues surrounding the area far outweigh the benefits derive d f rom preserving the building. This threshold is necessarily high because I believe it is important to prioritize neighborhood character and architectural preservation. Consequently, with this proviso, I would likely support the designation of parts of Hayes Valley as an historic district.

4) The replacement of the elevated Central Freeway with the Octavia Boulevard presents an opportunity for Hayes Valley to balance automobile traffic with other modes of travel, including public transit, walking and bicycling. What measures do you recommend implementing that would limit auto congestion and encourage the creation of a pedestrian-oriented community where residents can shop within walking distance of their homes?

It is important that Octavia Boulevard be pedestrian friendly while also serving as a main thoroughfare. To accomplish this, I believe the City should incorporate the right mixture of timed lights, turn lanes, speed bumps, and bike lanes. It would be nice to restrict one lane for Muni and bicycles. To ensure the safety of pedestrians, it will be important to include countdown lights as have been successfully used in other parts of San Francisco. The City should also eliminate the “Z’s” on Hayes and Fell, and Franklin and Oak.

5) Define “Community Policing” in three sentences or less. How many times in the last year have you attended the Northern District Police/Community Relations Forum?

When communities and the police work as partners to identify and solve problems before they escalate into dangerous situations, neighborhood safety improves without compromising civil liberties. Community policing allows neighbors to know the local police working in their area, and allows them to develop a trusting relationship with each other that increases their cooperation. This cooperation promotes increased involvement and participation in reducing criminal or at-risk activities. Northern Police Station allows for beat officers to change their beats every six months. As Supervisor, I pledge that same officers will walk the same areas, instead of rotating every six months.

I have not attended the Northern District Police/Community Relations Forum in the past year.

6) The Market/Octavia Plan creates a blueprint for a high-density, pedestrian-oriented, urban neighborhood where owning a car is a choice rather than a necessity. Please describe the elements of this Plan that you consider most important in determining the success of the Hayes Valley neighborhood. Please also identify any elements you think should be changed, and explain why.

First, an effective use of timed lights and other traffic calming measures must be in place. Second, the area will allow for small storefronts for local businesses. It is important that a majority of these businesses serve the immediate community, thereby eliminating the need for residents to use a car to buy groceries and other essentials. I am very supportive of the effort to reduce parking requirements mandated by the City for new housing. Third, maintaining a reasonable density among the majority of buildings will be important to prevent wind tunnels and shade. Finally, it will be important to have the right mix of housing, open space and other buildings in the area. I am glad to know the area will include senior housing.

7) Name the key crime areas in the Hayes Valley area. Name some individuals, groups, and community based organizations located in the Hayes Valley area that are currently working on reducing crime and improving the quality of life in our neighborhood.

Most of the violent crime is in Hayes Valley North and South Housing Developments.  Richard Johnson, President of the Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association and President of the Northern Station Community Relations, City Hub Neighborhood Alliance, Judy Edmonds from Northern Station, Safeway Perimeter Stewardship Program. Quality of life issues are in the alleyways along Octavia. Market and Van Ness is another quality of life problem area.

8) Please comment in detail on the recently passed chain store legislation.

I strongly supported the chain store legislation put forward by Supervisor Gonzalez. Part of its significance derives from the fact that the legislation was developed by the Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association. Consequently, it represents a clear victory for community-planning processes. It represents a clear sign to city government that residents want a strong voice in what developments are added to their neighborhoods. Further, it is evident that many of San Francisco’s neighborhoods wish to preserve a certain charm and character that is lost with franchises, big box stores, and establishments that can be found in any suburb in California. It is a strong statement for small businesses that will have an opportunity to grow, without overwhelming the City.

9) The Octavia Boulevard Project includes the creation of a new neighborhood park on Octavia Street , between Fell and Hayes. We expect this park to be an important gathering spot for the neighborhood and the performing arts community. The Octavia Boulevard Project does not include any funding for the maintenance of this park. The Recreation and Parks Department has no funding to maintain this park. How do you propose obtaining funding for the maintenance and upkeep of this very important park?

I would like to see developers pay a higher fee for new developments in San Francisco. It is a tremendous honor and economic boon for a developer to erect a building here. This honor is worth a great deal more than we have gained from it. A higher fee could be used for preserving open spaces and roads, increased affordable housing, childcare, and other essentials.

Another possibility would be to have the Symphony and the Opera, since they are so close, partner with the community to have free performances and use their fundraising apparatus to offset the costs of the park.

10) What is your position on green space as a requirement for any UC Extension development plan? Please provide as much detail as you can on what you feel adequate green space would be in this major site.

I support the requirement that the UC Extension plan provide at least a minimum of green space on the site. The space should be open to all the neighborhoods, including Hayes Valley South. The project should not be isolated and they need to part of the community as a whole and Hayes Valley South neighbors should feel welcome there.

11) A payroll tax exemption has been propose d f or biotech companies while existing small businesses have recently been saddled with a new gross receipts tax. Do you support an exemption for biotech companies? Why? Do you support the new gross receipts tax? Why? How do you propose to help independent, locally owned and operated businesses thrive in San Francisco ?

No, I do not support a payroll tax exemption for biotech companies. While I fully support efforts to bring new business to San Francisco, I believe the exemption undermines the economic benefit the new business brings. Moreover, it is unfair to small businesses that have remained in San Francisco through lean economic times. 

I support a gross receipts tax because I believe it is an appropriate indicator for determining the level of economic activity of a business. I am concerned that a payroll tax discourages hiring, thereby undermining our efforts to serve San Francisco residents, most of whom must work for a living.

12) In order for our commercial districts to thrive we need to encourage many more customers to visit our shopping areas than can arrive by personal automobile. What creative ideas do you have for encouraging shoppers to travel to shopping districts by walking, biking, public transit or taxi?

I believe a great deal more can be done to promote San Francisco neighborhoods and the local businesses within them. If elected, I hope to work with the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development, the Chamber of Commerce, and other relevant departments and organizations to identify how to better market and promote neighborhood businesses in a “transit first” manner.

The Hayes Valley Commercial Corridor needs more neighborhood serving businesses, like a hardware store, a bank, a supermarket that has fresh produce, and affordable restaurants. By establishing more neighborhood serving businesses, we encourage people to walk or take public transit to meet their everyday needs.

13) When you become supervisor how do you propose to reduce crime and improve the quality of life for residents who live within the H.V.N.A. boundaries? Please give specific examples.

My primary goal is to work with SFPD to ensure that community policing works effectively in District 5. On a citywide level, I will work with law enforcement to increase the penalties for crimes committed with a gun. I will also work to eliminate “crime-attracting” elements. Minor structural adjustments in neighborhoods, such as brighter lighting, trimmed hedges, cleaned up vacant lots and buildings may seem trivial, but they can vastly improve safety, especially in places such as park paths or bus stops. I will work with the City Attorney’s Code Enforcement and Nuisance Abatement Team to pressure irresponsible property owners to eliminate magnets for criminal activity.

Again, non-rotating beat cops will dramatically improve the quality of the community policing in District 5. As Supervisor, I pledge to reform these practices.

14) Our performing arts center often has performances that draw many more patrons than can be accommodated by personal automobile. What creative ideas do you have that would encourage patrons to use public transit? What other suggestions do you have for effectively transporting patrons to an d f rom the performing arts center? Do you support the construction of additional parking garages, or the expansion of existing garages in the Civic Center vicinity?

As a proponent of Transit First, I would like to avoid the expansion of existing garages as much as possible. I believe this will only lead to an increase automobile usage. However, I also believe San Francisco must take bold steps if it is truly going to enact a Transit First approach to planning. If elected, I would like to study the viability of using jitneys at various locations throughout the City – such as at BART stations and busy main Muni stops – to pick up and transport patrons to the performing arts center.

15) Funding for the traffic calming/pedestrian safety portions of the Octavia Boulevard Project's "ancillary projects" has been budgeted at $5 million. A large portion of this money will likely be spent on enhancing the livability of the South of Market neighborhood located near the touchdown ramp. This South of Market area will require a great number of amenities to maintain any reasonable quality of life.

Spending the majority of the "ancillary" project money on South of Market, leaves very little money to spend north of Market on traffic calming or on developing "living streets" on the alleyways crossing the Boulevard. Pedestrian safety and the enhancement of the livability of our alleyways are key elements to the success of the overall Octavia Boulevard Project. How do you propose funding these improvements? One possibility is to increase the tax on existing parking garages to fund pedestrian safety across the city including the Octavia Boulevard Project.

At worst, we can fund these efforts from the General Fund. I support both of the revenue initiatives on the November ballot. These initiatives will raise money that will go into the General Fund.