The Port of San Francisco is undertaking a robust community process to update its Waterfront Land Use Plan, which sets policies for land use improvements on port-owned property.
The Waterfront Land Use Plan has guided dramatic changes at the Port of San Francisco for more than 17 years. The port recently published a comprehensive report on these changes as well as emerging policy issues for the waterfront that dictate the need for an update to the plan. Photo by Joel Williams
Published: July, 2015
The Port of San Francisco is undertaking a robust community process to update its Waterfront Land Use Plan, which sets policies for land use improvements on port-owned property.
As part of that process, the port is looking for citizens who would like to serve on a working group that will hold public meetings to address updating the waterfront plan. The port welcomes interested members of the public to apply online for the working group at www.sfport.com through July 17 to help improve the future of San Francisco’s waterfront.
The Waterfront Land Use Plan has guided dramatic changes at the Port of San Francisco for more than 17 years. The port recently published a comprehensive report on these changes as well as emerging policy issues for the waterfront that dictate the need for an update to the plan.
With aging historic piers, the challenges posed by rising tides and need for seismic repair of the seawall, there is important work ahead to continue to enhance the waterfront for port maritime uses, and public use and enjoyment.
“Our citizens are passionate about the use and management of the Port, which extends 7½ miles from Fisherman’s Wharf, along the Embarcadero and Mission Bay, south to India Basin,” said Byron Rhett, director of planning and development for the port. “The Port Commission and staff have created the working group to hold public meetings to discuss and recommend how the port should guide future waterfront improvements under an updated plan.”
The port seeks robust public exchange and discussion as part of the process and invites interested citizens from San Francisco and the Bay Area to serve on the working group, representing citywide and regional viewpoints, as well as issue-specific knowledge and expertise. The working group will also include staff members from the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission and the California State Lands Commission as well as liaisons from the port’s existing advisory groups to ensure a flourishing cross-exchange of information and opinions.
In addition to the working group, the port seeks stakeholders with special knowledge or expertise to serve on advisory teams. The advisory teams will be a resource for the working group, providing technical details and knowledge on specified topics, including waterfront resilience; recreation and open space; historic preservation and urban design; and port financial needs. People who would like to serve on advisory teams also should submit their interest online.
Applications will be accepted online through Friday, July 17 at the Port of San Francisco’s website at www.sfport.com. The port’s selection and response to applicants for the working group is anticipated by September 2015, with the advisory teams to follow shortly thereafter.
The public process for the update to the plan is scheduled to start in late September 2015 and is expected to take 18-24 months. Details about the planning process schedule and policy topics that will be addressed are described on the port’s website.
The public process is intended to support the exchange of diverse views and knowledge to produce informed amendments to the Port of San Francisco’s Waterfront Land Use Plan. In maintaining a clear policy framework that is well understood by the public, the waterfront plan will continue to guide future improvements that maintain a diverse, activated port that serves the needs of the City of San Francisco and the region.
The Port of San Francisco is a self-revenue generating agency of the City and County of San Francisco, which manages a broad range of commercial, maritime, and public-access facilities along 7½ miles of the city’s waterfront that are held in public trust for the people of California.
