Board of Supervisors August 7th

Board of Supervisors - Pretty tame compared to last week (thank heaven!).
A very complicated discussion regarding the Trans Bay Cable Project. Both Chris Daly and Ross Mirkarimi asked complicated informed questions. I am again impressed by their intelligence and their efforts to dig in and be informed.
Sophie Maxwell spoke about last week's discussion on BayView Hunter's Point. I wish she had spoken last week. She spoke with conviction and honesty that she had lived in BayView Hunter's Point for many, many years working on these issues. She would not have voted for the BayView Hunter's development without first making sure the project was safe and that San Francisco has done everything they can to make the project safe. The day after the hearing it was announced that U.S. Government is going to investigate if there are health issues in regards to this project. Maybe that long hearing was worth it?
601 Duboce - Planning Issue. (continued). Many people in the audience supporting this issue. (Four story medical clinic and office building). Sue Hestor spoke against.
4041 Geary Boulevard - Planning Issue. Starbucks on Geary. Many people spoke against and they handed in many signatures against this Starbucks. I have mixed feelings about this. I am a big fan of Starbucks. I buy my coffee beans there. Since I try and walk everywhere I know where all the Starbucks are. Many times Starbucks is a meeting place for San Franciscans and a rest stop for Tourists. On the other hand neighborhoods are important and it is obvious that this neighborhood does not want this Starbucks. As someone pointed out the best way to get rid of Starbucks is just to not go in and buy coffee. I can understand if Starbucks is concerned (their public relations person was there) because this would set up a prescience for the future. The Planning Commission approved Starbucks at this location? Hello? I thought the Planning Commission was supposed to look at the community concerns not just going by the rules. I actually feel sorry for the developer, but at this point I don't think this is the right way to go. Jake McGoldrick asked for a continuance.
HANC -Haight Ashbury Neighborhood Council is against demolition at 1552 Cole Street. Continued at Planning Commission until September 6th.
Land use issue at Cala site at Haight and Stanyan. Supposedly this would be a Whole Foods store with 62 market rate condos. HANC would like the project reduced in size. HANC - www.hanc-sf.org hancsf@yahoo.com
SPUR-(San Francisco Planning & Urban Research). Have a new format monthly newspaper (August issue - 39 pages).
August 22 Meeting -Report from San Francisco's School District. Speakers Myong Leigh and Nancy Waymack- 312 Sutter Street #500 at 12:30 p.m. Members Free - Guests $5. SPUR, info@spur.org. www.spur.org. Phone 415-781-8726