Cellular Phone Antenna for Fulton/Masonic (Proposed): Still time to object

Below I retyped a letter received from Planning Dept. regarding plans for a cell phone antenna at Fulton/Masonic (SW corner). It is well known that high frequency "ionizing" electro-magnetic (EMF) radiation causes cancer, and that the risk increases based on duration of exposure and exponentially increases with proximity to the source (twice as close means four times as much radiation). Microwaves used for cell phones are also EMF at a lower frequency, are believed to be safer; however, scientific studies have shown troubling results about their effect on cells. For information on the studies, please see www.protectschools.org. Microwaves ovens are consired more dangerous now then that had been.

I received the below notice because I had filed a BBN*** for notification on permit activity on that block. Shockingly, without that notification, I believe no residents, including those living in close proximity or even directly under the antenna would have had any opportunity to object or even learn about the antenna until after the permit was issued.

There is still an opportunity to object--it is not an easy process. If I get support and shared assistance in the $200 filing fee, I will consider filing for a Discretionary Review by the July 28, 2006 deadline. Contact me promptly if you are interested in working on such an Appeal.

-David Tornheim 668-2353


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Aaron Starr, Northwest Quadrant, Neighborhood Planning
San Francisco Planning Department

Date: July 18, 2006

RE: Building Permit Application # 2006.03.21.7213
1801-1813 Fulton Street
Block 1187, Lot 001

[...]

The application proposes to add a microcell panel antenna enclosed in a faux vent and associated equipment cabinets on the roof of the subject building.

This application is on hold for 10 days, which expires at the end of the business day on July 28, 2006. Unless a Request for Discretionary Review is filed against the subject application by the end of the 10-day notification period, the Planning Department will approve the application and forward it to the Department of Building Inspection for their review and permit issuance. If you would like to arrange to review the application, or if you have any questions regarding the application, please call me at 415-558-6362.

Sincerely,
Aaron D. Starr
Northwest Quadrant, Neighborhood Planning

CC: Brain Pudlick, Parsons, Applicant

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***Feel free to ask me more about BBN's. You can get them at Planning Dept. for $30 for first block, $10 each additional block which last 1 year.

Trends in the SF Grocery Scene

The Examiner recently had an interesting discussion of the wave of grocery store closures in San Francisco.

The closing of an aging Cala Foods store in the Upper Haight has residents divided over what they would like to see replace the lone grocery store in the neighborhood.

In late May, Cala Foods closed its doors on Stanyan Street and opened a large window of speculation. Few in the neighborhood argue that they need another supermarket, but which one comes there, and how, is a matter of debate.

“This is the first time in 45 years there will not be a full-service grocery store,” said Mark Brennan, the owner of the former Cala site.

Brennan’s family took over the property in 1991 and has plans to demolish the site, along with an adjacent parking lot, and construct a new store with about 176 underground parking spots and 50 to 60 residential units above the store.

The entire article is here.

Zygmunt Arendt House, 850 Broderick

In a comment below, someone asked for more information about the plans for the Zygmunt Arendt House at 850 Broderick. Key points from a presentation at last week's NOPNA general meeting are below:
1) Jeff Kositsky, Executive Director from Community Housing Partnership (CHP) was at the meeting speaking about the Arendt House.
2) Mr. Zygmunt Arendt was a World War II refugee and former railroad worker according the CHP write-up they handed out to people at the meeting.
3) CHP quoted they success rate was 99.2% and it is one of the best records in the nation for their category of work.
4) Architects are WRT/Solomon E.T.C. (link + link)
5) Construction will begin late 2007 or early 2008 and the project is estimated to be completed in 15 months (opening in 2009)
6) Next community meeting is scheduled for Wed. Aug. 23rd at 7pm at 850 Broderick.

A resident of NOPA with experience in this field also stood up during the presentation to attest to the quality of work by this developer and said "If anyone was doing this development, I would want it to be these guys."

We will update with more information as we recieve it...

Today's fire at Central & McAllister

For those that weren't home around 5pm tonight to see the enormous fire at Central & McAllister, I got a photo to share with the blog.

The fire more or less destroyed three buildings and hit a couple of others on both McAllister and Central. I left my house after I heard the twentieth fire truck go by, and finally noticed the huge plume of smoke.

This is such a bummer. Hopefully nobody was injured, that everyone's pets got out alright, and that folks have some insurance...

Newsom Celebrates Healthy Saturdays Veto with Park Closure Opponents

Someone please explain why Gavin's veto is good for the neighborhood.

"On Wednesday evening, opponents of car-free access in Golden Gate Park threw a ritzy private shindig for the Mayor at the Conservatory of Flowers. The group, ironically called ‘Coalition for Park Access,’ threw the reception to celebrate the two month anniversary of the Mayor’s veto of Healthy Saturdays, legislation which would have created a six month trial of car-free space in Golden Gate Park. The legislation passed the Board of Supervisors in May with a majority of votes, but without a veto-proof margin, and Newsom vetoed it. This Saturday, supporters of Healthy Saturdays are also expected to commemorate the two-month anniversary of Mayor Newsom's veto with an event in the park. However, there won’t be awards or massive amounts of re-election money waiting for him, so the Mayor may be less likely to show. " [Beyondchron.come Ted Strawser‚ Jul. 14‚ 2006]

The Gentrification of Upper Haight

"The closing of the full-service, unionized Cala Foods in San Francisco’s Haight Ashbury district has prompted a neighborhood battle over the future use of the site. Longtime neighborhood builder John Brennan purchased the property, and plans to construct between 50 and 60 condominiums above a new full-service supermarket. Opponents of the project believe the proposed 176 underground parking spaces will create a traffic nightmare, and many prefer affordable housing to condos (though Brennan rents out his condos). But the bigger question involves the plan for a non-union Whole Foods supermarket to replace Cala. As the Bay Area’s unionized supermarkets fight to survive against non-union competitors, Whole Foods expansion could come at the expense of the industry’s living wage blue-collar jobs... " [Beyondchron.com, Randy Shaw‚ Jul. 12‚ 2006]

Sidewalk Landscaping Permits

In addition to our Friends of the Urban Forest tree planting, here's a way to get even more greenery into the sidewalk in front of your property...

This came up on the SFGov.org site this morning,

The Department of Public Works - Bureau of Urban Forestry is now accepting permits for sidewalk landscaping. In addition to planting trees, this permit allows property owners to convert a portion of the sidewalk in front of their property into an attractive landscaped area. It looks great, provides habitat, reduces flooding, and is good for property values!

To apply for a sidewalk landscaping permit, review the instructions and fill out the application [on the SFGov site]. DPW staff will be happy to assist you.

See photos of some example projects on the PlantSF site here.

How-To Install Permeable Landscaping [PlantSF]
New fee duns residents for railings, greenery [SFHomeBlog]

Mayor Allows Tenant "Common Space" Legislation to Become Law

In light of the forced mass exodus of NoPa residents, this is excellent news.

"Tenants scored a victory last Friday night when Mayor Gavin Newsom allowed legislation preventing landlords from severing services from a rental unit to become law. The proposal, sponsored by Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, did not receive the necessary eight votes at the Board of Supervisors to override a mayoral veto, but Newsom decided to allow the measure to take effect. As a result, landlords can no longer remove parking spaces, laundry facilities, and a variety of other amenities from tenants at will. The new law eliminates one of the most common means for landlords to force tenants out of their homes..."[Mills, Beyondchron.com, July 11th 2006]

Brother-in-law's is now Lily's BBQ

Just noticed this post on Chowhound about the new name for Brother in Laws - no idea what brings the change. http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/308286

The Poleng Lounge

The Poleng Lounge is open.
It looks cool, but a little pricey for my budget. Maybe they'd consider giving neighborhood residents a slight discount on cover charges or someting ;). Anyway, I'd love to hear people's thoughts on the place.

See www.polenglounge.com for more information.