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LWV League of Women Voters of California
Smart Voter
San Francisco County, CA November 7, 2000 Election
Proposition L
Office Development/Live-Work Controls
City of San Francisco
Ordinance, placed on the ballot by initiative petition

141,434 / 49.8% Yes votes ...... 142,749 / 50.2% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures
Information shown below: Summary | Fiscal Impact | Arguments |

Shall the City adopt new controls on office development, including office space for computer-based services, and live/work units?

Summary:
This proposition would amend the Planning Code by limiting the amount, location, and pace of new office space development. This proposition would require that the impact on traffic, transit, affordable housing and existing small businesses be considered before approval of new office space. Proposition L would also provide protections for neighborhood social, cultural, and economic diversity by prohibiting the displacement of businesses and services in favor of new office space. The types of businesses and services to be protected would include retail establishments, non-profit agencies, cultural and arts activities, and light industry and manufacturing. Finally, this proposal would provide for more public input into the office space approval process.

Proposition L would prohibit the conversion of live/work units into office space. It would also exempt government buildings and the Presidio, Pier 70, and Hunters Point Naval Shipyard from the office cap. The proposal would link developer fees, collected to provide affordable housing, child care, and transit services, to the inflation rate.

Fiscal Impact from the Controller:
Should the proposed ordinance be adopted, in my opinion, it would substantially increase the amount of revenue dedicated to affordable housing, dependant care and public transit by annually adjusting for cost-of-living changes that have occurred since these revenue sources were established.

It would also result in additional costs to update the City General Plan and Planning Code.

Note: The City Charter provides that if two competing measures both pass, the measure which receives the higher number of votes will prevail. Propositions K and L on this ballot have competing features.

Arguments Submitted

Summary of Arguments FOR Proposition L:
This proposition would put reasonable limits on development and preserves the identity of the City's neighborhood.

Proposition L would help preserve affordable housing by prohibiting the current practice of converting live/work units into office space.

Office developments over 6,000 sq. ft. would be subject to public comment and scrutiny. This would prevent inappropriate uses of office space.

Arts groups and social service agencies would benefit from these new proposals.

Summary of Arguments AGAINST Proposition L:
This measure would limit necessary growth in the City and is too extreme.

Proposition L could cause commercial rents to rise due to a further tightening of available office space.

By prohibiting new office space in certain neighborhoods, this proposition would curtail economic opportunities for residents of those areas.

Proposition L could dampen job growth in the City overall, as businesses locate elsewhere.

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Created: January 25, 2001 02:34
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